July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Dwight D. Eisenhower autograph letter signed as a 5-Star General and Commander of the United States occupation zone in Germany, and with envelope also signed by him. At the resolution of WWII, he writes to his wife, Mamie, eager to wrap up the business of war. Dated 9 June [1945] it reads: ''Darling / As I told you I have been doing everything I can to devise policies whereby wives could come over here in the near future. It's an uphill fight because of the millions of Americans still here - our location in a hostile country - and the necessity of carefully avoiding 'favored' treatment for Generals. It will undoubtedly take some time. If it appears that my stay here is to be indefinite in length and that establishment here of any family life will be delayed several months, [son] Johnny has promised to come live with me and to give up his insistence on going to the Pacific. Moreover I will, in that case, keep a really big plane with me, and on every possible occasion will either shoot over to Washington for a couple days or will send John as a courier. You cannot be any more tired than I of this long separation, particularly at my age. Johnny is really anxious to go to the Pacific, but he realizes I am lonely and need him and is ready to give up his ambition if things look too dark for either your coming here soon or my losing a leg and so going, respectably, on the shelf...if there are difficulties; God knows what will happen. War, and its aftermath, are both h---! Tomorrow I entertain the Russians here - and it's an awful chore. Then my problems of ceremonies really start! I go to London on the 11th, ceremony on 12th, visit the Monarch at 5:30 p.m. (forcing me to stay in London that night) back here 13th, ceremony in Paris on 14th & 15th - leave Paris at noon on 15th to start trip to US. What a life. Now I know I must appear in Congress upon arrival in the US. I'll be scared to death! I'm strong for that shoe clerk business. All my love...Ike''. Envelope included bearing his signature, ''Dwight D Eisenhower'' as General of the Army. Eisenhower was appointed to that position in December of 1944. 2pp. letter on ruled stationery measures 8.25'' x 10.75''. Toning and creasing with a small tear to the left top edge. Very good.
Eisenhower WWII ALS -- ''...War and its aftermath are both h---!...Tomorrow I entertain the Russians...an awful chore...I must appear in Congress upon arrival in the US. I'll be scared to death!...''
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