Lot 299

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Description:

MORGAN E. GUENTHER (1922 - July 30, 1945) Electrician's Mate, Third Class aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis, reported missing after the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and declared dead on July 30, 1945. Excellent collection of Guenther's naval belongings and letters, includes: a saddening pair of Western Union telegrams sent to Guenther's family from the Chief of Naval Personnel, notifying them of his disappearance and later of his death. The first was sent to his parents on August 13th 1945: '...I deeply regret to inform you that your son Morgan Edward Guenther...is missing in action on 30 July 1945 in the service of his country...you will be furnished details when received. To prevent possible aid to our enemies, please do not divulge the name of his ship or station...' The later telegram, sent over a month later on September 18th, was sent to his wife Alma Janie: '...a careful review of all facts available relating to the disappearance of your husband Morgan Edward Guenther...leads to the conclusion that there is no hope for his survival and that he lost his life as result of enemy action on 30 July 1945...' Each telegram is set into a vintage frame. WITH: his government-issued condolence certificate, 1p. 11.5 x 14.5 in. (sight), memorializing Gunther and stating his death was '...At Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. Indianapolis, 30 July 1945...'. The conclusion bears President Harry Truman's facsimile signature. The document is also set in a vintage black frame. The lot is accompanied by a thick binder assembled by his grieving sister Hazel, which contains one of his naval dog tags; his high school diploma; numerous certificates; three Western Union telegrams from Guenther during his service, including one sent on July 6th, 1945; and numerous photographs of Guenther and clippings relating to his service and death. The binder includes nine incredibly saddening and prophetic letters from Guenther to his relatives or vice versa. Of these, one letter from Guenther to his sister, 2pp. 8vo., 'U.S.S. Indianapolis', Aug. 17, 1944, reads in part: 'Hi ya sis...I am well, healthy, and still a little on the plumpy side...So Jim has been home again...the sky will be the limit when we get together...it sorta looks like he will be out here with me when he is ready for combat... there really isn't much to worry about...seriously sis, we've got these rats over a barrel...how long it's going to take I don't know. I think it will be well over [in] another year...Gosh! I'll be an old salt by that time...' Another letter to his sister, 2pp. 8vo., written Dec. 30, 1944, confidently reads: '...the navy has been on the ball...very little let up on those yellow B--...they have most of their fleet at the bottom of the drink, I have a hunch those dragon Islands had better stand by for a few very unpleasant surprises...' Somberly, the last letter written to Morgan from his sister, 3pp. 8vo., was written just three days before his death, which reads in part: '...If you and Janie should have a little boy some day, she gets it...won't be long until those dirty, yellow-bellied Japs will be wiped out...' Gunther's name has been crossed out, and the envelope has been stamped 'Returned to Sender...Unclaimed...'. The verso of the envelope is cancelled October 23, 1945, thus the letter was returned to his sister a month after he was pronounced dead. One of the most somber groupings of fallen soldier's letters we have ever offered. On July 30, 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis was torpedoed by an Imperial Japanese Navy submarine. Of the 1,195 crewmen aboard, approximately three hundred went down with the ship, including Guenther. The remaining crewmembers faced dehydration, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks while stranded in the open ocean with few lifeboats and almost no food or water. Upon their rescue four days later, only 316 were left alive - the greatest single loss of life at sea from a single ship in the history of the U.S. Navy.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000