May 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, May 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2014
Rene Gagnon WWII autograph letter signed five times as a Private First Class in the US Marine Corps. Gagnon was one of the six soldiers pictured in ''Raising The Flag on Iwo Jima'', the iconic image of the turning point of the war and one of the most famous photographs of all time. From an undisclosed location in the ''Central Pacific'', he writes to his sweetheart and future wife Pauline Harnois. Dated 31 October 1944, letter reads, [uncorrected for minor errors] in part, ''...I was out in the field...I'm back in camp...Please don't worry too much when the letters don't come regularly, as sometimes we go out in the field for weeks at a time, and I can't write...About the souvenirs you asked for well if I find anything around here that hasn't got the name of this place stamped on it, I'll send it to you, as you know, we can't send anything with the trademark on it, as it would disclose where we are...R.A. Gagnon...air mail goes faster than Vmail; Air mail takes about 6 days and Vmail takes about 8. It doesn't matter much though, except that you can write more on air mail letters...You said I didn't have faight in you, well if you don't think so, what am I doing out here...rainy season is starting around here...Last week we went out in the field...all we had was pup tents, when I woke up each morning I'd have an indoor swimming pool...Swell life, nothing better. But I sure hope it ends soon...Rene...'' Accompanied by the censor-stamped mailing envelope made out in Gagnon's hand in ink, including his name and return address. 4pp. letter in ink on 4 sheets of plain stationery measures 8.5'' x 11''. He adds ''R.A. Gagnon'' to the bottom edge of every sheet, totaling 5 signatures plus envelope. Toning and creasing, else near fine.
Rene Gagnon Autograph Letter Signed 5 Times From The Central Pacific in October 1944 -- ''...pup tents, when I woke up each morning I'd have an indoor swimming pool...I sure hope it ends soon...''
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