January 2016 Auction Ends Thursday, January 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/28/2016
Rene Gagnon WWII autograph letter signed as a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps. Gagnon was one of the six soldiers pictured in ''Raising The Flag on Iwo Jima'', one of the most famous photographs of all time. From Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California he writes a love letter to Pauline Harnois. Dated 12 May 1944, letter reads in part, ''...we were out camping...You'll have to excuse my writing as I'm sorta tired...hiked 20 miles in 5 hours with only 15 minutes rest in between, and on top of that we had to carry our rifle, and a 60 lb. pack, our ammunition belt, full of ammunition bayonets, steel helmets...Im so tired I can hardly keep from dozing off...Rene...'' Accompanied by the mailing envelope made out in Gagnon's hand in pencil, including his name and return address. Letter in pencil runs 2pp. on a single sheet of Camp Pendleton Marine Corps stationery, measuring 6.25'' x 10.5''. Toning, else near fine.
Rene Gagnon Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...carry our rifle, and a 60 lb. pack, our ammunition belt, full of ammunition bayonets, steel helmets...Im so tired...'' -- With Original Signed Envelope
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