October 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, October 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/29/2013
WWII Iwo Jima hero Rene Gagnon autograph letter twice-signed as a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps, datelined 27 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 his desire to marry her. Reads in part: "…we haven't much liberty over here. The army gets six months training before their furlow but they only get up at 5 o'clock…Here we get up at 3:30 in the morning and work like (HELL) all day and then we also drill at night till 9:30 then we wash up…Last night we all gathered in a movie and they played boogie woogie music…Love and kisses as always. Semper / Always / Fidelis / Thoughtful / Pvt. Rene". In a postscript he writes, "P.S. Say in ways of souvenir do you want me to get you an engagement ring when I go home. Well please ask your father about it maybe he'll understand…" He closes the letter by writing his postal address and his full name again "Pvt. Rene Arthur Gagnon". 6pp. pencil letter on three sheets measures 7" x 10.5". Expected toning and two folds from mailing, else very good condition. Includes original postmarked Navy Yard stamp envelope with return address and Gagnon's full name written in his hand. Very good overall.
Rene Gagnon WWII-Dated Autograph Letter Twice-Signed -- ''...Here we get up at 3:30 in the morning and work like (HELL) all day...''
Click above for larger image.