In 1945, a young Boy Scout, Larry Stapleton of Parkersburg VA, sent letters to the generals who were heroes of WWII, requesting their autographs, and a cloth insignia. He received these 5 letters in response:

 

Commanding General Mark W Clark.

United States Forces in Austria.

General Clark, the youngest 4-Star General in WWII, granted the request for the 15th Army Group insignia.

 

Lieutenant General N.F. Twining.

20th Air Force, San Francisco.

General Twining, who later became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Eisenhower, couldn’t send an insignia, so he sent a picture to the young lad.

 

General Carl Spaatz.

Army Air Forces, Washington.

As commander of Strategic Air Forces in Europe, General Spaatz successfully lobbied for the bombing of oil production facilities as a priority over other targets, which turned out to be a wise decision. He sent Larry a reproduction of their patch and praises the Boy Scouts.

 

General J.W. Stillwell.

Headquarters Tenth Army.

“Vinegar Joe” sent his letter from his headquarters on Okinawa and was happy to send a Tenth Army shoulder patch.

 

General J.M. Wainwright

War Department, Washington

As commander of Allied forces in the Philippines, General Wainwright was captured by the Japanese. He was the highest-ranking officer to become a POW. Later he witnessed the Japanese surrender on the Battleship Missouri. He sends his autograph with great pleasure, but his troops didn’t wear a patch.

 

All 5 letters are in Excellent condition, dated 1945, and are typewritten with ballpoint signatures (“9" to "10”). Together, they tell a charming story of U.S. history. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Opening Bid $100.