|
Sale 58
|
|
press UP arrow key to increase the zoom ratio.
press DOWN arrow key to decrease the zoom ratio.
press RIGHT arrow key to increase the zoom window size.
press LEFT arrow key to decrease the zoom window size.
|
|
Lot 73
MacArthur, Douglas (1880-1964) During World War II, he commanded U.S. Army forces in the Far East. When he lost the Philippines, he promised "I shall return,"and on October 20, 1944, the first day of the decisive two month allied victory in the Battle of Leyte, he waded ashore on Palo Beach. An archive pertaining to Gilbert T. Richards, a 21-year-old millwright living in Knox County, Maine, who enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Augusta, Maine, on November 25, 1941. When Major Gen. Edward P. King, Jr. surrendered more than 75,000 American and Filipino troops to the Japanese, the prisoners were forced to march 61 miles north to San Fernando. About 54,000 prisoners arrived at Camp O’Donnell by May 1st; many, however, died along the way of exhaustion or starvation or were wantonly killed by their captors. Private Gilbert T. Richards survived the march but died from malaria on May 19, 1942, at Camp O’Donnell and was buried on Luzon.
The archive consists of four letters, a printed sympathy card, a Purple Heart, and an early signed photo of MacArthur:
(1) Douglas A. MacArthur. Typed Letter Signed "Douglas MacArthur," one page, 10½ x 8 in. To Harry C. Richards, Camden, Maine. On letterhead "General Headquarters / United States Army Forces, Pacific / Office of the Commander-in-Chief," APO 500, 13 October 1945. Vertical folds. Fine condition. In full, "My deepest sympathy goes to you in the death of your son, Private Gilbert T. Richards, while a prisoner of war of the enemy. You may have some consolation in the memory that he, along with his comrades-in-arms who died on Bataan and Corregidor and in prison camps, gave his life for his country. It was largely their magnificent courage and sacrifices which stopped the enemy in the Philippines and gave us the time to arm ourselves for our return to the Philippines and the final defeat of Japan. Their names will be enshrined on our country’s glory forever. In your son’s death I have lost a gallant comrade and mourn with you. Very faithfully…"
(2) Margaret Chase Smith. Typed Letter Signed "Margaret Smith" as Maine Congresswoman, one page, 10½ x 8 in. Washington, December 11, 1941. On congressional stationery, to Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Richards, Camden, Maine, just four days after Pearl Harbor. Evidently, Pvt. Richards’ parents knew he was on a ship in the Pacific but did not know exactly where. In part: "My sympathy is with you and I wish so much I could get the information you want but both because of the uncertainty of affairs in the Pacific and the need to keep locations of troops away from the enemy, the Departments will not give out any information as to the movements or location of ships…. " Fine condition.
(3) Henry H. "Hap" Arnold. War-date Typed Letter Signed "H H Arnold" as Commanding General, Army Air Forces. To Mr, and Mrs. Richards. Washington, D.C., Memorial Day, 1945. In full, "We are again mindful on this Memorial Day of our debt to those of the Army Air Forces who have given their lives for our Country. Their memory is always with us." With original postmarked envelope, Torn at top edge, missing back flap. Fine condition. Gen. Hap Arnold was promoted to five-star General of the Army by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 and five-star General of the Air Force in 1949 by Pres. Harry S Truman, becoming the only officer to attain five-star rank in two of the Armed Forces.
(4) R.E. Gambrill. Typed Letter Signed "R.E. Gambrill" as Major, Assistant Adjutant General, one page, 10½ x 8 in. General Headquarters, United States Army Forces, Pacific, APO 500, October 8, 1945. To Harry C. Richards, Camden, Maine. In part, "Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your son, Private Gilbert T. Richards, 11016707, who died on the 19th of May, 1942, from malaria at Camp O’Donnell, Philippine Islands, while a prisoner of war of the Japanese.Anything I can say is scant consolation to you in your grief. It is my fervent hope that later, the knowledge that his courage and sacrifice contributed to the final victory may be of sustaining comfort to you." Fine condition.
(5) [George C. Marshall]. Printed card, 4¼ x 5¼ in. With original envelope, "The Chief of Staff / War Department / Washington, D.C.," 5½ x 4½ in., cut open at right edge. Postmarked Washington, D.C., September 1, 1945. To Harry C. Richards, Camden. Maine. Engraved in red and gold at top center with his five star flag and engraved message: "General Marshall / extends deep sympathy / in the loss of your son. He died / in the honorable service of his country / to preserve the freedom under which he lived." Fine condition.
(6) Purple Heart in original 6½ x 3½ x 1¼ in. clamshell box. In the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold, a bust of George Washington in the center and Washington’s coat of arms at the top. Engraved on verso: "For / Military / Merit." With purple ribbon and bar. Since posthumous awards are always engraved with the soldier’s name beneath the inscription, and this one isn't, this is most probably a replacement award. On June 3, 1944, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson wrote, in a typed letter to Harry C. Richards, in part, "The President has requested me to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Private Gilbert T. Richards, Air Corps, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country…" A very small photocopy of this letter is included.
(7) Douglas MacArthur Black & White Photograph Signed, 9¾ x 6 in., no date, no place. Early photo shows silvering along edges. Large signature across boots in dark area with fair contrast. Mounting remnants on verso. Fine.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
|
