Bidspirit auction | DOUGLAS MACARTHUR

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR - DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (1880 - 1964) American general and Allied Supreme Commander in the Pacific in World War II, accepted the surrender of Japan and was later dismissed by Truman for advocating an invasion of China. Secretarially-signed T.L.S. on 'General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area' letterhead, 1p. 4to., Jan. 17, 1945 to the father of PFC Dale R. Simmons who was killed in action. In part: '...In the death of your son...I have lost a gallant comrade-in-arms, and I cannot express to you the poignancy of my regret. His service under me in the Southwest Pacific was characterized by his complete devotion to our beloved country and by his death in our crusade for freedom and liberty he is enshrined in its imperishable glory...'. A Purple Heart is pinned to the letter at bottom, presumably having been issued to the soldier. The entirety is set into a period frame, unexamined out of frame and sold as-is. Although MacArthur may not have signed the letter, the words are undoubtedly his!