Item #39622 Printed Document Signed. Louis JOHNSON.

Printed Document Signed.

Secretary of War Harry H. Woodring's Assistant Secretary of War (1937-40) felt betrayed when President Roosevelt didn't appoint him to the cabinet after Woodring's resignation in 1940 -- but when President Truman's first Secretary of Defense (James V. Forrestal) resigned in 1948 he became this country's second Secretary of Defense in 1949, only serving until 1950, when he resigned and paved the way for the illustrious George C. Marshall. Printed DS, 3pp (rectos only), 8" X 12½", n.p., 1937. Very good. Lightly edgeworn, with faint single horizontal fold at center; stapled at upper left. Item #39622

Marked "FUTURE RELEASE / Please Note Date" in red at top of first page, the War Department press release is summarized at top: 'This address of The Honorable Louis Johnson, The Assistant Secretary of War, to be made at the Armistice Day Ceremonies at the National Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, on November 11, 1937...." Johnson's speech begins, "Another year has passed. Again, we have stood in devout silence before the tomb of our Unknown Soldier. Again, we have held communion with his immortal soul," and is a touching patriotic address that discusses at some length the U.S.'s military readiness in the face of turmoil in Europe. In a blank portion at upper right of the first page, he boldly pens "Louis Johnson / The Assistant Sec of War" in blue ink. Very attractive, and highly unusual in this form.

Price: $150.00

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