January 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, January 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
WWII Iwo Jima hero Rene Gagnon autograph letter signed as a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps, datelined 29 May 1943 on Marines stationery from training camp on Parris Island, South Carolina. Gagnon was one of the six WWII soldiers elevated to icon status after appearing in the famous photograph ''Raising The Flag on Iwo Jima.'' Love letter is addressed to his sweetheart back home, Pauline Harnois, and discusses the rigorous daily life of a Marine as well as his desire to marry her. Reads in part: ''...You want to know all about the Marines, well I'll tell you all we do, to the best I know. The R. in U.S.M.C.R. means resources which means that six months after the war they have to release us that is unless we want to re-enlist. Well our day starts at 4:00a.m. that is the time we get up and then, we wash up, make up our bunks, wipe up our rifles and bayonets...We are 64 men in a platoon...'' He then goes on at length describing his hopes that she marry him: ''...If you replied and said now well that won't discourage me because I'm used to it by now. I'll just keep asking. You'll break down and say yes some day...'' He concludes the letter describing Marines' jargon: ''...These are some of the words we use here, chow, deck, overhead, portholes...'' Signed ''Rene'', letter is written in pencil. Includes original postmarked Navy Yard stamp envelope with return address with Gagnon's full name written in his hand. Runs 8pp. on four sheets measuring 7'' x 10.5''. Expected toning and two folds from mailing, and a slight uneven edge to top of p. 5, else near fine.
Rene Gagnon WWII-Dated Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...day starts at 4:00a.m...we wash up, make up our bunks, wipe up our rifles and bayonets...We are 64 men in a platoon...''
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