Lot 104
Roosevelt, Theodore - Presidential Appointment for the "Porto Rico… Infantry," Also Signed by Secretary of War Wm. H. Taft (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States (1901-09). Partly-printed document signed "Theodore Roosevelt" as President, 16 x 21", Washington, June 22, 1904. Countersigned by future President William Howard Taft ("Wm H Taft") as Secretary of War. Appointing Aristides Moreno First Lieutenant "in the Porto Rico [sic] Provisional Regiment of Infantry." Fine condition; minor toning; the blue seal at lower left is missing a couple of points; some small creases along upper edge. Both Roosevelt and Taft's signatures are bold.
Aristedes Moreno (1878-1955) was an 1899 graduate of Virginia Military Institute. The Arlington National Cemetery website (Col. Moreno was buried in Arlington National Cemetery) notes the following, in part: "During World War I, while on the staff of General John J. Pershing, he organized and helped operate the counter-espionage system of the A.E.F. For his work in this field he received the Distinguished Service Medal. Before the war he had participated in the Cuban and Vera Cruz occupations. He also served on the War Department commission on border claims against Mexico. From 1943 to 1949 Colonel Moreno was with the International Telephone and Telegraph Company in New York as a staff assistant on international economic aid and world trade conditions. Colonel Moreno retired in June 1926, but was recalled after the start of World War II. From 1941 to 1943 he was director of Supply and Service Division Headquarters of the Second Service Command on Governors Inland. He received the Legion of Merit for his World War II duties. He was also the holder of the British Distinguished Service Order, the French Legion of Honor, the Belgian, Italian and Serbian decorations." An attractive document from the early military career of a distinguished American officer. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
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