Description:

Harry S. Truman
Washington, D.C., May 9, 1945
Harry Truman On Day Of German Surrender Thanks Gen. For Defeating the Nazis!
TLS
A typed letter signed one day after victory in Europe by President Harry Truman. 1p, measuring 7" x 9", Washington, D.C., dated May 9, 1945. Signed "Harry Truman" and addressed to Major General Paul W. Baade. With original envelope, both on White House stationery. Following the declaration of V-E Day, Truman writes his thanks for a copy of his old division's newspaper and praises General Baade, who was critical to the fight against Germany. Both the letter and envelope have been tipped to another sheet. Flattened mail fold to the letter. The cover has expected light wear and soiling. Very fine, boldly signed.

Reading in full:
"Dear General Baade:
It was certainly kind and thoughtful of you to send me the April fifteenth edition of the "Santa Fe Express". One of my sincere regrets has been that I was not a part of the 35th Division in this war as I was in the other war. Please express my thanks and appreciation to the Division for remembering me and for the wonderful part they have taken in the glorious victory over the Germans."

President Harry Truman wrote to Major General Paul Baade one day after V-E (Victory in Europe) Day, and two days after Germany surrendered unconditionally. The previous six weeks had seen a flurry of action in the European theater. As the Soviets marched towards Berlin from the east, American and British forces marched in from the west. On April 1, 1945, the 35th Division was part of the American force that encircled the Germans in the Ruhr valley, one of the final steps on the road to Berlin. On April 12, 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt died and Truman became President. During World War I, Truman served in the 35th Division and Baade, the unit's present commander, apparently sent along the "Santa Fe Express" (the division's newspaper), that announced his sudden elevation to the Presidency. Three weeks after assuming office, the war in Europe was over, and at this auspicious moment, Truman gave thanks to one of the Generals responsible for the Allied victory.

Paul William Baade (1889-1959) was a 1911 West Point graduate. During World War I, he served in the 322nd Infantry and saw action as a Major in Battle of Verdun and as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Argonne Forest campaign. Between the wars, he spent four years in the Chief of Infantry's office, four years at West Point, and two years at Fort Benning. He became a one-star General in July 1941, and served as assistant Commander of the 35th Division guarding the southern California coast. In July 1943, he was promoted to Major General and moved the 35th to training in Alabama and Tennessee before being deployed in the Normandy campaign a month after D-Day. For the next 11 months, Baade led the Division in battles through five countries on the march to Germany. Once there, the Division occupied Hanover and Recklinghausen, eventually handing control to the French in July 1945.

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: 7" x 9"
  • Medium: TLS

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