Description:

WAR FATALITY CONDOLENCE GROUPING
Grouping of items, some signed by prominent figures, surrounding the death in an air crash of naval aviator Herman W. Smith. Smith perished at the Naval Air Station in Charlestown, RI on Apr. 10, 1944 when his aircraft crashed and burned resulting in his death from burns and other injuries. Included in this poignant lot is a letter from Secretary of the Navy FRANK KNOX to his widow, Apr. 19, 1944 expressing his sympathy; JOHN S. MCCAIN, SR. (1884-1945), Admiral who headed all air operations at Guadalcanal and commander of a carrier group in Mitscher's Task Force 58, grandfather of the current U.S. Senator, a warm Apr. 17, 1945 letter of sympathy; GEORGE H.MILLS, Navy Commodore of Atlantic Fleet Airships, Apr. 11, 1944 letter of sympathy; Smith's named, cased Purple Heart; his bound flight log, two Navy discharges, 1933 and 1937, memorial document signed in facsimile by F.D.R.; Navy Report of Death; order to report to B.W.I. for airship service; memorial service letter and documents, 12 photos; a recording his wife sent him, along with her photo; his flight log showing several hundred hours and ending just five days before his flight; and three letters to his wife, one noting: "...I would hate to have to pay for flying in these planes...". Very good.

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February 18, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, 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 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000