Description:

Truman Harry

Harry Truman and Douglas MacArthur, TWO TLSs on The Tale of Conflict Re: Firing General Douglas MacArthur

TWO unique and separate single page typed signed letters, one from President Truman and one from Douglas MacArthur, on the contentious topic of his dismissal. Truman's letter, 5.75" x 7.75",  is dated  "April 17, 1951", and signed by President Harry Truman as "Harry Truman".  MacArthur's letter, 7.5" x 9.756",  is dated  "May 18, 1961", and is signed by him as "Douglas Mac Arthur". The two spectacular letters are matted side by side with an outstanding print of the two men - backs facing each other - . Matted with gilt fillets which accents each piece, matted to an overall size of 20" x 19". Fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope for the MacArthur letter, 9" x 4"

Truman writes to Dwight Palmer of New York, thanking him for his "telegram expressing approval of my recent action in the Far Eastern situation. I certainly appreciate your thought in wiring and want you to  know that your loyal support means much to me …" (With Truman alluding to dismissal of MacArthur). In one of the most controversial civilian-military events of the 20th century, on 11 April 1951 President Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur, then in command of the U.S. forces in Korea, and replaced him with General Matthew Ridgeway. The corresponding letter offered here, from Douglas MacArthur, makes note of Truman's actions and states "…The only excuse Mr. Truman could have for his abuse of me is that it should be true or it should be witty. If it is  neither the one nor the other, it becomes mere vulgar scurrility." The two men could not have been at more odds with one another and MacArthur's shocking dismissal made national headlines. A Truman letter alone with MacArthur content sold in Christie's 2018 for $18750, this is the only MacArthur letter we have EVER seen that addresses the situation!

In 1945, the scars of World War II across the world were still fresh. The fear of having to engage in another world war was very real. A mere two years after the end of WWII, the Cold War began. The United Nations, which was formed to provide a forum to prevent future wars, included the membership of the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and 57 other countries. The US adopted a firm stance to contain the spread of communism, which was being aggressively promoted by the USSR.

The Korean War began when the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) crossed the 28th parallel into South Korea. Adhering to its policy of containment, the United States could not ignore the threat of communism in Asia, but neither the president nor the public wanted a long, drawn out war. President Truman hand selected General Douglas MacArthur to lead the U.S. troops in South Korea. MacArthur arrived at his post a World War II hero, having successfully led multiple troops through the war. Following his victories in WWII he had become the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan. MacArthur was revered and highly praised in the United States.

The general assured the president that the Korean War would be short-lived and that the American troops would be home by Christmas. MacArthur was initially successful in driving back the North Korean forces over the 38th parallel. He made a controversial move, however, when he continued to push the North Koreans further north and suggested bombing cities in China that were thought to be aiding the North Korean troops. In pushing for a larger conflict, MacArthur downplayed the risk of inciting a massive war in Asia.

President Truman’s main concern was saving as many lives as possible, even if that meant signing a ceasefire along the 38th parallel. General MacArthur did not think a ceasefire was an appropriate solution. The two men clashed. For Truman, the war represented an opportunity to stop the spread of communism into South Korea. For MacArthur, the war was an opportunity to liberate the North from communist control, and aggressive action was required.

MacArthur thwarted Truman’s attempt to negotiate a ceasefire when the general ordered his troops to invade North Korea and push the NKPA up past the 38th parallel. This was not the first time the general had ignored direct orders from his Commander in Chief. On April 11, 1951, President Truman officially relieved Douglas MacArthur of his command. Word of his firing spread quickly, and the American public found the news upsetting. Truman felt that his decision was justified because MacArthur had overstepped his authority, defied direct orders from his superior and interfered with Truman’s hope of ending the Korean War quickly.

Truman's letter is accompanied by a certificate and receipt from EAC Gallery, New York reporting the Truman letter was purchased on Sothebys.com, 2002 for $2340.00.

An outstanding and most unique presentation of this famous moment.

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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