Description:

World War II
n.p., n.d.
(11) U.S. Generals Sign U.S. Declaration Of War On Germany Souvenir Typescript
DS

A 1p souvenir typescript of the U.S. Declaration of War on Germany, originally signed into law on December 11, 1941, signed by a total of 11 generals in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force who participated in World War II. N.d., n.p. Of these 11 signers, 9 have been identified. These include (in alphabetical order): Ira C. Eaker; James M. Gavin; Alfred M. Gruenther; Earle E. "Pat" Partridge; Elwood "Pete" Quesada; Ralph C. Smith; Dean C. Strother; Maxwell D. Taylor; and James Van Fleet. Expected wear to the printed page including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. A stray ink mark at upper right, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

The United States declared war against Germany on December 11, 1941, just hours after receiving Germany's declaration of war on the United States. Pub. L 77-331, originally signed by 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Vice President Henry Wallace, and House Speaker Sam Rayburn, had been passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Of course, this war declaration set the stage for the signers' illustrious military careers during World War II.

The signers include, left to right and top to bottom:

- Alfred M. Gruenther (1899-1983), U.S. Army General, signed as "Alfred M. Gruenther / General U.S. Army (Ret)." Nicknamed "The Brain, "Gruenther was instrumental in planning the Allied invasions of North Africa in 1942 and Italy in 1943.

- Ira C. Eaker (1896-1987), U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General, signed as "Ira C. Eaker / Lt Gen USAF (Ret)." Eaker successfully advocated for precision daylight bombing of industrial and military targets in Germany in conjunction with Royal Air Force night raiding.

- Elwood "Pete" Quesada (1904-1993), U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General, signed as "Pete Quesada / Lieut Gen US AF (ret)." Quesada perfected methods of obtaining real-time information for combined air-ground missions, including the use of pilot air controllers in tanks and the use of early warning radar.

- Ralph C. Smith (1893-1998), U.S. Army Major General, signed as "Ralph C. Smith / Maj Gen. US ARMY. RET." Smith commanded forces in the Pacific Theater, and was tasked with the defense of the Hawaiian Islands.

- Earle E. "Pat" Partridge (1900-1990), U.S. Air Force General, signed as "E.E. Partridge / General U.S. Air Force (ret)." Partridge oversaw Air Force actions in the Pacific Theater, notably in Okinawa.

- Maxwell D. Taylor (1901-1987), U.S. Army General, signed as "Maxwell D. Taylor / General US Army (ret)." Taylor served with distinction in Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and the Netherlands, and was the commander of the 101st Airborne Division, "The Screaming Eagles."

- James Van Fleet (1892-1992), U.S. Army General, signed as " Jim Van Fleet / Gen. U.S.A. (Ret.)." Van Fleet's leadership during the Utah Beach landings on D-Day earned him a Distinguished Service Cross.

- James M. Gavin (1907-1990), U.S. Army Lieutenant General, signed as "James M. Gavin / Lt. Gen USA (ret)." Gavin trained paratroopers of gliders and parachutes all over the European Theater.

- Dean C. Strother (1908-2000), U.S. Air Force General, signed as "DC Strother / Gen. USAF (Ret)." Strother was sent on missions in the Pacific Theater, in Italy, and to the Soviet Union to assist the Soviets on the Eastern Front.

A superb World War II collectible!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: DS

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