Edward N. Bomsey Autographs, Inc.

Stark, Harold R. "Betty"
Post-War ALS from Commander of US Naval Forces in Europe, oversaw Navy’s role at Normandy D-Day landings

Price:

$175.00

Description:
(1880- 1972) “Betty”, USNA 1903, served on torpedo boats and destroyers in WW I. RADM 1934, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance 1934-37. Served at sea as Commander Cruiser Division Three and Commander of Cruisers in Battle Fleet as VADM from July 1938. Named Chief of Naval Operations as ADM Aug. 1939, oversaw 1940-41 Navy expansion and involvement in undeclared war against German submarines in the Atlantic. In March 1942, Stark relieved as CNO and sent to England in April to command US Naval Forces in Europe. From London, directed naval part of the great buildup in England and US naval operations and training activities on European side of the Atlantic. Commander of 12th Fleet Oct. 1943, supervised USN participation in landings at Normandy June 1944. Retired April 1946. 6 x 5 ALS to Miss Smith, no place, no date (ca. 1946-47), explaining that he cannot send her an “free” envelope as it is against postal regulations for retired officers, as he had previously discovered after his attention was called to it, and, he is “…sure you would not ask me knowingly to break our US laws.” Possibly cut from a larger piece but totally intact itself. With 3/22/48 postcard from noted autograph dealer Conway Barker regarding the date of the Stark letter which he sold to Mrs. Madlener. 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.

Condition: Very good
Type:Letter