Eisenhower, Dwight D.
$425.00
Former President Eisenhower thanks his former White House Chief of Staff for Golden Anniversary wishes
Description
Autograph ID: 6390
Condition: Very good, mail folds, faint stain below year, slight spot under and to left of “D.” in postscript; some bleed-through of heavy black marker ink on blank verso.
Description: “(1890-1969) Led Supreme Allied Command in European Theater 1942-1945 during WW II. President of the US 1953-1961.
TLS “D.D.E.” (as he signed to his friends) on 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 ivory, gilt-lettered “DDE/ Gettysburg/Pennsylvania 17325” letterhead, July 7 1966, to Hon. and Mrs. W. B. Persons (“Dear Allie and Jerry”), Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Eisenhowers were delighted to have the Persons’ “congratulatory message on our Golden Wedding Anniversary” and most appreciate their thoughtfulness, Eisenhower sending “affectionate greetings and best wishes for health and happiness.” In a lengthy initialed postscript ANS, the former President writes: “P.S. Such reports as I have had of Jerry’s health are all on the ‘good’ side. I cannot tell you how pleased we are. D.”
WILTON B. “JERRY” PERSONS (1896-1977) President Eisenhower’s White House Chief of Staff 1958-61. Career US Army officer from 1917, promoted to Major General in 1944. He headed the Office of Legislative Liaison for the Defense Department between 1948 and his retirement in 1949. He was called back to active duty as a special assistant to General Eisenhower at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe 1951–1952 and was active on Eisenhower’s 1952 presidential campaign. He became a Deputy Assistant to the President in 1953, promoted to Assistant to the President in 1958. He served throughout the Eisenhower presidency, handling congressional liaison before he replaced Sherman Adams in 1958 as, effectively, Eisenhower’s chief of staff. After the 1960 election, he was heavily involved as Eisenhower’s representative in the transition of government between the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. He met frequently with Clark Clifford, President-elect Kennedy’s transition representative, to work out the details for a smooth transfer of government.”
Type: Letter
