Description:

(PEARL HARBOR) LETTERS FROM A DOOMED SAILOR ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP OKLAHOMA (3)
The USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37) was commissioned in 1916. At Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 several torpedoes from torpedo bombers hit the Oklahoma's hull and the ship capsized. A total of 429 crew died; survivors jumped off the ship 50 feet into burning oil on the water or crawled across mooring lines that connected OKLAHOMA and MARYLAND. Some sailors inside escaped when rescuers drilled holes and opened hatches to rescue them. The ship was salvaged in 1943. Unlike most of the other battleships that were recovered following Pearl Harbor, Oklahoma was too damaged to return to duty. A rare pair of hand-written and signed letters penned aboard the ship by doomed sailor PORTER L. RICH (1913-1941), Boiler Tender 1st Class who perished in the attack. Both letters are signed 'Porter' with the postal covers addressed to his wife 'Mrs. Porter L. Rich. One letter is postmarked in Honolulu on Nov. 9, 1941, the second was postmarked aboard the OKLAHOMA on Nov. 25, 1941 - only 12 days before the Japanese attack. The content of the letters, 7pp. in all, is what one would expect from a newlywed husband to his wife. In the first letter, Rich discusses clothing he'd like sent to him, their finances, a sortie by the OKLAHOMA, his longing for his wife, etc. In the second letter, Rich sends along 'the last letter I received from Mother,' mentions his longing for his wife, Christmas presents, and more. The letter from Rich's mother is 2pp. 4to., dated Nov. 6, 1941. In it, Rich's mother mentions pheasant hunting on their property and her happiness that Porter was 'out of the boiler room for a while. Do you like the oil work?...' She continues, mentioning family members, photographs Porter had sent home, gossip, and so on. Very good to fine.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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