May 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, May 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2014
Over 200 internal memos received during WWII on a destroyer escort ship. Correspondences were accumulated by decorated U.S. Navy Radioman Third Class Fran Lucca while he was onboard the USS Burrows (DE-105), a ship that guarded supply convoys in the Atlantic and South Pacific. Typed memos begin on 10 December 1943 and run through 18 February 1946. Events disclosed to the ship's personnel encompass all the major events of the period. First appearing in the text is the announcement of the death of FDR. Following is disclosure of the surrender of Germany, that reads in part, ''...Germany surrenders unconditionally to Western Allies and Russia...'' This memo immediately precedes directives reading in part, ''...there is always a possibility that there may be one or more fanatical u-boats which will continue anyway...remain alert and on the offensive...''. A memo dated 15 August 1945 boasts, ''...the Japanese have surrendered...all offensive operations are therefore to cease forthwith...some time may elapse before actual instrument of surrender is signed...'' Accompanied by a fascinating newspaper article on Lucca and the ship, containing his firsthand account of the vessel's brush with a torpedo, his personal role in safeguarding the convoy from an air attack and ultimate arrival on the shore on Toyko Bay. 208 correspondences on 208 sheets are neatly bound between brown paper covers. Bound volume measures 9.5'' x 7.5'' overall. Individual sheets mostly measure 8'' x 6.5'', with some large sheets folded to match. Clipping to corners, else delicate pages are near fine. A rare and comprehensive chronicle of WWII Naval operations in both seas.
World War II Internal Correspondence Documents From The US Navy -- From The Radio Man Onboard Destroyer Escort Ship USS Burrows (DE-105)
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