CHENNAULT
CLAIRE L. CHENNAULT (1890 - 1958) American Army aviator who established the volunteer-staffed Flying Tigers to fight the Japanese invasion of China. He has also been (unofficially) credited with over 40 "kills". Rare A.L.S. "Claire" on a hotel letterhead, 2pp.4to., [penned aboard an airplane], Sep. 13, 1945 to his girlfriend Peggy. In part: "...We are en route to Washington, riding the air currents...Ground speed well over 200 miles per hour and I hope the old crate holds together. I've sure had a marvellous week in La. Didn't realize that I was so popular...the largest crowds in history and everyone seemed to be waving at me. I didn't feel like a returned hero but more like a long absent member of a big family coming home...I was urged everywhere to say that I would run for governor or senator but refused, of course. Still don't think I would like politics...[the attention] doesn't dim the recollection of my visit with you...That, of course, was something more personal, and intimate, something that words can't express...". Fine condition .