작품 상세

LEMUEL C. SHEPHERD, JR. (1896 - 1990) Marine Corps Commandant and general in two wars, led the invasion of Guam and Okinawa. Fine content war-date T.L.S. on Sixth Marine Division letterhead, 1p. 4to., "IN THE FIELD" [Okinawa], June 7, 1945 to an admirer. As the battle for the island continues, Shepherd writes, in part: "...Fighting on this island has been intense for the past month.It is probably one of the bitterest battles to date in the Pacific. It appears that the worst is over, and we hope soon to wind up this bloody campaign...". Shepherd also send the man a Sixth marines should patch (included) and describes the symbolism used and the division's involvement in the Solomons, Marianas, Martshalls, etc. and compares the sword on the patch to a "crusader's sword...[pointing at] future operations in the Japanese homelands...". The letter has been taped at the margins to an album page and bears some slight stains and wrinkling from dampness. On the verso of the page, also mounted, is a thank you letter from Gen. THOMAS S. POWER (1905-1970), leader of the first large-scale fire bomb raid on Tokyo.