Description:

Rene Gagnon
Charleston, SC, ca. January-March 1944
Rene Gagnon Archive of World War II Love Letters
Archive
Rene Gagnon (1925-1979). As Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps, Gagnon writes to his hometown sweetheart, Pauline Harnois (1926-2006), whom he would marry upon his return from the war. Gagnon is best known for being one of the participants in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. Here offered is a collection of ten letters, all written during Gagnon's military training as a guard at the Naval Prison Camp in Charleston, South Carolina. Dated between January 2 and March 11, 1944, Gagnon was only 18-years-old when he wrote the majority of these letters. In reading them, we are privy to a glimpse of what life was like for this young WWII soldier in love, likely away from home for the very first time.

Comprises, in chronological order by date of letter, with original spelling and grammar retained:

1.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 2pp, in pencil, on a single sheet of U.S. Marines Corp stationery measuring 7" x 10.5", Charleston, South Carolina, January 2, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked January 3, 1944, from same. Expected folds, creases, toning, and light soiling. In very good plus condition.

Gagnon initially dates his letter as "Jan. 2, 1943", but realizing that it's a new year, adds "44" with an arrow pointing to the date. In part: "Well here we are with the holidays all over, and only a couple of weeks away from furlough time, gee it will be good to see you and the old town again, before I left, I always wanted to get out of the mill but believe it or not, I actually miss it, when I go home on furlough theres one thing I want to do that is to try to doff a little…Anyways why shouldn't like the mill, its where I met you..." Prior to his enlistment, Gagnon worked in a textile mill as a doffer.

2.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 1p, on a postcard measuring 5.5" x 3.5", postmarked from Charleston, South Carolina, on January 9, 1944. Card depicts the Pavilion and Recreation Center, Isle of Palms, Charleston. Free franked and additionally signed in the return address. Expected creases, toning, soiling, and edgewear. In very good plus condition.

In full: "Hi Honey / Sorry I couldn't write for a couple of days but I'll write a letter tomorrow. Wish you were down here with me, don't you?"

3.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Lots of Love and Kisses to you little darling / Rene", 4pp, in red ink, on a single sheet of card-style stationery measuring 5.25" x 7.25", Charleston, January 16, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked January 17, 1944, from same. Expected folds, creases, and soiling. In near fine condition.

Gagnon initially dates his letter as "Jan. 16, 1943", but realizing that it's a new year, adds "44". In part: "...if any sailors around there get any ideas about taking you out, tell them I've got more important work right now, but as soon as this war is over I'll go over and personally break every sailors neck, that just as much as winks at you. About my furlough…I might not get mine before Feb., but…I'm going right down to the first Sergeants office now and give him heck about my furlough / P.S. I am still your fathers favorite son-in-law."

4.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 2pp, on a single sheet of ruled paper measuring 8" x 10.5", Charleston, January 31, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked February 4, 1944, from same. Expected folds and creases with minor separation. Small tear at bottom right margin not affecting text. In very good plus condition.

Gagnon's next letter is one of apology for not writing sooner and explaining life as a Marine. In part: "Darling Kiddo / Well here I am writing to you again and hoping you're not to mad to read this letter...I try to write every spare moment I get but I guess that isn't enough...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. Please darling don't write such mean letters, you don't know how terrible they can make me feel..."

5.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 2pp, in purple ink, on a single sheet measuring 8" x 10", Charleston, South Carolina, February 4, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked same, additionally signed in the address panel. Expected folds and creases. Unevenly cut top edge, deckled right edge. In near fine condition.

In part: "Darling Kiddo / Well here we are on a nice sunny spring day, It would be much nicer if I could be with you...There letting us go on liberty at 2:30 this afternoon because there's a parade downtown. So I guess when I get through writing this letter I'll get dressed and go down and see it. It supposed to be a mile long so I supposed it will be quite something. It's a funny color ink I'm using isn't it..."

6.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 2pp, on a single sheet of ruled looseleaf paper measuring 6" x 9.5", Charleston, South Carolina, February 21, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked February 24, 1944, from same, additionally signed in the address panel. Three punch holes at left. Expected folds and creases. Minor toning. In near fine condition.

In part: "Darling Polly / I guess you don't mind my calling you Polly do you as I noticed thats the way you sign your name now...I went to Florida this week end…its a very nice place, though, but its dead like everywhere else, all the boys are gone, the place is full of servicemen..."

7.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 1p, on a postcard measuring 5.5" x 3.5", postmarked from Charleston, South Carolina, on February 23, 1944. Card depicts the Orangeburg County Court House in South Carolina. Light wear and tape over his signature at bottom, overall very good condition. Free franked and additionally signed in the return address. Cello tape at recto bottom edge and at verso across signature. Expected creases, toning, soiling, and edgewear. In very good condition.

In full: "Dear Polly / They've got some swell places down here, but wish I was home, with you."

8.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 2pp, on a single sheet of stationery measuring 6" x 10", Charleston, South Carolina, February 27, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked February 28, 1944, from same, additionally signed in the address panel. Expected folds and creases. Minor toning and discoloration. In near fine condition.

In part: "…I'll be home real soon. Maybe even before you finish reading this letter, well that's exagerating a bit, but it wont be long…Darling I'm afraid you misunderstood when I said I had 5 days I meant that I had 5 days in all I have to travel back and forth so that means I'll only have a couple of days with you…it will be rather hard to be alone, so if you've got any swell ideas of how we might arrange to be alone at least for a few minutes think them up now…Bye Bye beautiful. See you soon."

9.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 2pp, in green ink, on a single sheet of stationery measuring 8" x 9.75", Charleston, South Carolina, March 9, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked March 10, 1944, from same, additionally signed in the address panel. Expected folds and creases. Minor soiling. Unevenly cut top edge. In very good condition.

In part: "I didn't get any letter from you but you see I'm keeping my word, about writing every day. Gee I miss you darling...Darling I almost forgot but your boyfriend is starting as acting corporal of the guard starting tomorrow, so it won't be long before I get my next rate I hope...knowing you've got confidence in me, seems to make me want to get ahead because I know I got somebody worth working, fighting and getting ahead for. That's you Sweetheart..."

10.) Autograph Letter Signed, "Love as ever / Rene", 3pp, in purple ink, 5.5" x 8.5", Charleston, South Carolina, March 11, 1944. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed, free franked transmittal envelope postmarked same and additionally signed in the address panel. Expected folds and creases. Minor soiling. Unevenly cut top edge. In very good condition.

In part: "Well here I am again, and also no letter today, now I'm starting to really worry, I know there must be something wrong, please tell me if there is anything. Did anything happen to you on the way home I'll never be able to forgive myself for letting you go home alone...I can't keep my mind on my work at all...Gee! It sure is lonely without a letter from you."

On October 17, 2019, the U.S. Marines Corps announced that Corporal Harold Keller (1921-1979) was the flag raiser previously identified as Rene Gagnon in Joe Rosenthal's iconic photograph, "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima". The press release further stated, "Private First Class Gagnon played a significant role in the flag raising on Mount Suribachi and his role will never be diminished. He was directly responsible for getting the larger second flag to the top and returning the first flag for safe keeping. Without his efforts, this historical event might not have been captured, let alone even occurred."

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" x 10.5"
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