November 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, November 8th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/8/2018
Iwo Jima hero, Rene Gagnon WWII autograph letter signed as a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps, with content on being a Marine. Lot also includes the original envelope signed with Gagnon's full name and rank. Dated 31 January 1944 while on guard duty at the Naval Prison Camp in Charleston, South Carolina, this handwritten letter to his future wife reads in part, uncorrected for errors: ''...we drill late at night and when we come in its time for lights out that means no writing, it isn't quite like civilian life you know, we don't do what we want to do when we want to. You do whatever your told and do it on the double. That's the Marine Corps. Right now there's plenty of things to worry about right here, there stopping all Marine Guard Duty in the Navy Yard and shipping all the Marines on duty in the yard here to combat so I'm looking forward to leaving here this month...the watch darling...I didn't give it to you so that everybody would admire it and you could tell them it was from me I just gave it to you as a friendship gift to someone I think a whole lot of...Rene''. Accompanied by the mailing envelope made out in Gagnon's hand in ink, including his name and return address. Letter in pencil runs 2pp. on a single ruled sheet, measuring 8'' x 10.5''. Very good condition, with separation starting along one fold.
WWII Hero Rene Gagnon Autograph Letter Signed & Signed Envelope -- ''...You do whatever your [sic] told and do it on the double. That's the Marine Corps...''
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