[EISENHOWER, Dwight D.]. Copy of Eisenhower's Order of the Day issued to US servicemen on 5 June 1944, signed by Omar BRADLEY, Walter Bedell SMITH, and Matthew B. RIDGWAY.
Sale 1095 - American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents
Day 1 Lots 1-403
Nov 3, 2022
10:00AM ET
Day 2 Lots 404-634
Nov 4, 2022
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$700 -
$900
Sold for $1,250
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[EISENHOWER, Dwight D.]. Copy of Eisenhower's Order of the Day issued to US servicemen on 5 June 1944, signed by Omar BRADLEY, Walter Bedell SMITH, and Matthew B. RIDGWAY.
Approx. 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (sight); matted and framed to 10 1/4 x 12 1/4 in. (not examined out of frame). Printed on Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force letterhead, with Eisenhower's facsimile signature below and hand-signed by Bradley, Smith, and Ridgeway at bottom.
Printed copies of this message was distributed among the Allied Forces the day before the 6 June D-Day invasion of Normandy. The version featured here is printed on a larger sheet of paper than those that were handed out to the troops.
Omar N. Bradley (1893-1981) was Eisenhower's top general of World War II, leading the First United State Army in the invasion of Normandy, and commanding the Twelfth United States Army Group comprised of over one million men. After the war, he served as the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Walter B. Smith (1895-1961) served as Eisenhower's Chief of Staff of the Allied Forces Headquarters from 1942-44, and of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces from 1944-45. After the war, he served the US government in a number of capacities, including, most notably, as the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1946-48), Director of CIA (1950-53), and Under Secretary of State (1953-54).
Matthew B. Ridgway (1895-1993) was named commander of the 82nd Division in 1942, leading it into Normandy on D-Day. Ridgway replaced Eisenhower as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in 1952, and was appointed Army Chief of Staff the following year.
Condition Report
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to
age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and
restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition
they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make
no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind
as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue
description or a condition report shall not amount to a full
accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman
staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the
Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or
in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an
item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for
inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect
the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have
requested, received and understood any condition report provided
by Hindman.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.