Description:

IKE'S D-DAY MESSAGE TO TROOPS – FROM A LIEUTENANT WHO OVERSAW ITS DISTRIBUTION
An important printed D.S., 1p. 8vo., an original 6 in. x 9 in. printed message from Eisenhower to the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the AEF as they embarked on their respective missions on June 6, 1944, bearing Eisenhower's facsimile signature at bottom. With blind-embossed official seal of the Central Base Section the S.O.S. ETO U.S.A at bottom right. Fine condition. This document comes directly from the estate of Thomas J. Bell, Lt. Col. AGD LT. US ARMY, 0362041. A copy of Bell's 1988 attestation to the authenticity of the document is included and reads: ‘During June 1944 I was stationed with the US Army in London. I was the executive officer to the Adjutant General, Central Base Section S.O.S. ETOUSA, Brig. Gen. Pleas B. Rogers Commanding. Just prior to the invasion of France by the Allied forces, it was my assignment to arrange for the distribution of General Eisenhower's letter to these forces. This involved obtaining from the secret ‘Station Lust' maintained in our Hqs safe, the exact geographical location and troop strength of each unit so involved. The actual location of each unit was necessary, as each outfit was only designated by their APO number. After assembling the correct number of letters, based on troop strength, they were bundled and turned over to British couriers. The British were used as they were more familiar with the geography of their country and this would facilitate delivery. The operation to distribute the letters was highly classified. Although no actual invasion date was shown on the letters, the content of the letters implied that the invasion was imminent. Consequently, the letters could not fall into enemy or unauthorized hands. Following the invasion, I saved several of the letters which had not been required for distribution. Then, in order to place some authenticity to these letters, in years to come, I affixed the official seal of our command – Central Base Station S.O.S. ETOUSA.' Offered with: a copy of a letter from the Department of the Army to Bell, thanking him for his offer to donate one of the letters to the Center of Military History, and a 2005 invoice to Bell from Grace Galleries, Inc. acknowledging the sale of one of Bell's letters.

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September 10, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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