Somervell, Brehon
$125.00
The general who built the Pentagon, led US Army Service Forces 1942-45, in charge of logisitics
Description
Autograph ID: 2808
Condition: Very good
Description: “(1892-1955) USMA 1914, Army engineer. Headed NYC WPA 1936-40, responsible for Depression relief works, inc. construction of LaGuardia Airport. Led US Army Service Forces 1942-45, in charge of logisitics, inc. Quartermaster Corps, Ordnance, Engineers, Signals, Chemical Warfare branches, responsible for supplying Army forces. Oversaw building of the Pentagon, completed January 1943. Given 4th star 1945. President of Koppers, Pittsburgh-based coal company 1946-55, and applying same managerial techniques he employed in the Army, thoroughly reorganized ompany, doubled revenues and tripled profits over 5 years.
ALS on 10 ½ x 7 ¼ personal “Koppers Building/Pittsburgh” letterhead, April 29 1948, to Mrs. Madlener. Somervell was glad to learn of her WW II Red Cross and fundraising activities, and it “…should be a source of real satisfaction to know that you helped with so many of your fellow Americans in securing the victory which we… hope will bring us peace and freedom for which we fought.” With envelope.
Elaine Wetmore Madlener (1912-1989) Chicago socialite, philanthropist, biographer of conductor Herbert von Karajan, 1st woman secretary of The National Autograph Collector’s Society (now The Manuscript Society), authored several articles on collecting. Her husband Otto Madlener was also a prominent autograph collector.”
Type: Letter
