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Books Signed by World War II, Vietnam Military Heroes
6 Lots
 Lot 199. Rare 1936 Vintage-Signed First Edition Book by (Hap) H. H. Arnold, General of the Army. In Feb. 1936, Arnold and Ira Eaker published a pioneering book on aviation titled The Flying Game. Arnold signed the blank side of a book plate behind the first title page. His personalized fountain pen signature is a large, clear 9-10. He added his military rank, “Brig. Gen.,” and the date, Feb. 25, (19)36. The book is vg+ to ex in a vg dust jacket. Eaker, a major when he and Arnold wrote the book, achieved the rank of general and was a leading Air Force general in World War II. in the Air Force. Arnold, who was only 63 when he passed away in 1950, is in elite U.S. military company. In the country’s 200+ years, only 10 generals and admirals have worn five stars. Arnold is one of them. The others are George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley as Generals of the Army and William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King, Chester W. Nimitz and William F. Halsey as Fleet Admirals. Arnold holds the distinction of being the only individual to hold five-star rank in two different branches of the service, the Army and the Air Force. When the Air Force became a branch separate from the Army, Arnold became General of the Air Force; no one else has ever held the rank or title. Arnold was a true aviation pioneer. The Wright brothers taught him to fly, and he was the Air Force’s second rated pilot. A strong advocate for an independent Air Force, he command the Army Air Forces just before and during World War II and transformed the U.S. Air Force into the world’s largest and most powerful. His support for research and development contributed significantly to the intercontinental bomber, the jet fighter, increased use of radar and other technological innovations. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $75.
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 Lot 200. Curtis E. LeMay Autographed First Edition of His Biography, Iron Eagle. Many experts consider LeMay to be the greatest air commander the U.S. has ever produced. During World War II, he directed successful strategic bombing campaigns against Germany and Japan. After the war, he organized the Berlin Airlift, headed the newly created Strategic Air Command and served as Air Force Chief of Staff. He was blunt and direct, and author Thomas M. Coffey subtitled his biography of the military leader The Turbulent Life of General Curtis LeMay. The stated first edition 1986 hardback is nm+ in and ex-m dust jacket. LeMay signed the first title page; the signature is personalized and mint 9. LeMay passed away in 1990. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $40.
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 Lot 201. Bill Mauldin Autographed First Edition of A Sort of Saga. For his editorial cartoons, Mauldin twice won a Pulitzer Prize. He is best known for his World War II cartoons of the common soldier, represented by two characters, Willie and Joe. A Sort of Saga, a stated first printing from 1949, features Mauldin’s words and cartoons. The book is vg in a g-vg dust jacket. Mauldin signed a blank page behind the flyleaf; the autograph is a mint 9 to gem mint 10. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $30.
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 Lot 202. Decision at Nagasaki: The Mission That Almost Failed Signed by the Author, Fred J. Olivi. Self-published like-new 1999 softcover by the retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel. Olivi signed the copyright page and added his rank and “Co-Pilot B-29 ‘Bocks Car,’ Nagasaki Mission, 9 August, 1945.” The signature and additions are gem mint 10. One of three pilots of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki in World War II, he provides a first-hand account of the mission. The book is extensively illustrated. Olivi passed away in 2004. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $50.
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 Lot 203. Col. Robinson Risner Signed First Edition of The Passing of the Night. Risner subtitled his book My Seven Years As a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese. A fighter ace in the Korean War, Risner was shot down on a bombing mission over North Vietnam in 1965. He later became the first living member of the service to receive the Air Force Cross a second time. The award is second only to the Medal of Honor. The hardback book, a stated first edition, is nm in an ex-m dust jacket that shows sunning. Risner signed the flyleaf as “Robbie Risner”; the autograph is a 9-10. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $20.
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 Lot 204. (Gen. Albert) A. C. Wedemeyer Signed Copy of Wedemeyer Reports! Wedemeyer is probably most widely remembered for his disagreement with President Truman concerning U.S. policy toward China’s Nationalists and Chiang Kai-shek following World War II. Truman sent Wedemeyer, a lieutenant colonel, to Asia to assess the situation in China and Korea. Subsequently, he wished he hadn’t. He rejected Wedemeyer’s recommendations, including more training and assistance for the Nationalist army. Wedemeyer commanded U.S. forces in China in WWII. His personalized signature is a fountain pen mint 9 on the flyleaf of the 1958 hardcover book, which is vg+ to ex in a similar price-clipped dust jacket. Wedemeyer died in 1989. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $20.
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