369. RICHARD E. BYRD (1888-1957) American aviator and explorer, first to fly over the South Pole and established the base "Little America". Extraordinary T.L.S. "Dick B", 2pp. 4to., aboard the aircraft carrier USS ESSEX, "At Sea Off Tokyo", Aug. 1, 1945 to "Polan". In part: "Before this letter reaches you, the world will have received the momentous, in fact epochal news about the secret weapon we have been working on for so long; further, it will have been tried out on the enemy. This discovery is so monumental that it may not only stop immediately the war with Japan, but may change the social structure of the United States and later of the world. It is a dangerous discovery and must be handled carefully. Perhaps in my next letter I can tell you more about it...war happenings...in comparison [will] appear so uninteresting and pale in color...When I left the states, I went straight to Okinawa and remained there until the Japs surrendered. The Japs fought very hard...Confidentially, our casualties, counting those lost behind the lines, were around 65,000...I joined Halsey's fleet and have been most of the time on the aircraft carriers...I have some very interesting experiences with the kamikazes. Please note that I censor my own mail. I'm quite generous with myself..." File holes at top, else fine. Generous, indeed! It's simply unbelievable that a senior military officer of Byrd's stature and experience would have ever disclosed even a hint of the upcoming atomic bombing of Japan (Hiroshima would be bombed five days later), or even the demoralizing casualty figures at Okinawa. Byrd's letter, if discovered, certainly would have led to an inquiry if not a court martial. $400-600