Lot 108

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Description:

LIEUTENANT GENERAL LEWIS W. WALT
(1913-1989) United States Marine Corps four-star general, who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his military career Walt earned a plethora of awards for his bravery and heroism, including: Navy Cross (2), Distinguished Service Medal (2), Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat ‘V', Bronze Star Medal with Combat ‘V', Purple Heart Medal (2), and the Combat Action Ribbon (3). Offered here is a group of T.Ls.S. on his three-star general letterhead, photos, magazine clippings, and more. The four letters are all 1p., each dated 1967, and written to Mrs. Erva M. Jackson containing polite conversation between friends. In part: ‘...Thank you very much indeed for the beautiful issue of Ideals magazine...As you have probably read in the news, we have experienced several large military successes since this time last month. Along with this, our Civic Action program continues to gain momentum with the building of cooperation and rapport between our Marines and the Vietnamese people...Thank you very much for the large box of Easter candy which you sent...I know the men appreciate your thoughtfulness just as much as I do. Your generosity and your support for the work we are doing here serves as an inspiration to each and every Marine...'. With an I.S.P., 8 x 10 in. b/w, showing the general from the chest, up in uniform. The photograph is inscribed to Erva Jackson, with Walt adding his rank and the date Feb. 28, 1967. Also present is a black-painted wooden plaque, 10 x 13 in., bearing their emblem at the center, with the bottom plate reading: ‘Presented by the Commanding General III MAF Danang, Vietnam. This was a presentation piece given to Erva Jackson with an inscription on the reverse, in part: ‘...With warm regards and my deep appreciation for all you have done for our Marines in Vietnam...', signed at the conclusion and adding his rank. SOLD WITH ephemera from Walt's time in Vietnam, including: a cover (only) of the May 26, 1967 issue of ‘Life' magazine, depicting Walt in a military meeting; cut magazine articles covering Walt's efforts in Vietnam; and the full edition of ‘Ambassadors in Green' with an article on pg. 148 titled ‘The Leaders' featuring Walt and others. Lewis W. Walt played a vital role in the Vietnam War, creating the Combined Action Program in 1965. This program joined the Marine and Navy medical corpsman volunteers with the South Vietnamese Popular Force platoons to protect countryside villages from the Viet Cong and to shut down any communist infrastructure. From 1965-1967 the number of ‘secure' villages rose from 87 to 197 and the number of Vietnamese living in ‘secure' areas rose from 413,000 to 1.1 million. For his service in Vietnam Walt received a number of foreign awards, such as: the Vietnamese National Order, 3rd Class; the Vietnamese National Order, 4th Class; the Gallantry Cross with Palm; the Chuong My Medal, and the Vietnamese Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation of Gallantry Cross with Palm; along with the Ulchi Medal from South Korea. A nice collection in relation to a highly awarded general who served his country in multiple wars.

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January 18, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000