Lot #33

President Ronald Reagan Donates His Military I.D. Card to the U.S. Air Force Museum

Description

President Reagan makes a donation to the U.S. Air Force Museum: "I found the enclosed identification card and thought it might serve in place of my lost dog tags"

ALS as president signed “RR,” one page, 5 x 8, White House letterhead, March 27, 1981. Handwritten draft letter to Royal D. Frey, the curator of the U.S. Air Force Museum, in full: “I'd heard there was some hitch in my overcoat & the photos reaching you. I hope that is all straightened out and you have them now. In moving to Wash. I found the enclosed identification card and thought it might serve in place of my lost dog tags.” In very fine condition.

Accompanied by photocopies of Reagan’s I.D. card, a history of Reagan’s military career, the final typed version of the letter to Frey, an internal White House memo sent to Reagan regarding the address of the Air Force Museum, a biography of Frey, a USAF Museum Gift accession sheet for the I.D. card, and a letter from Colonel Richard L. Uppstrom to Reagan, confirming the receipt and donation of his I.D. card.

Reagan joined the Army Reserve in April 1937 and reported for active duty in 1942 when relations between America and Japan worsened. He was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Forces and became an AAF public relations officer, participating in the Provisional Task Force Show Unit in Burbank and continuing to make films such as This Is the Army (1943). He was also ordered to temporary duty in New York City to participate in the sixth War Loan Drive before he was reassigned to Fort MacArthur and discharged on December 9, 1945, as a captain. Throughout his military service, Reagan produced over 400 training films.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
• Dates: #672 - Ended August 16, 2023

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