American general (1896–1984) who came under fire for his questionable leadership during World War II and who signed the cease-fire agreement with North Korea in 1953. TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, Headquarters, 15th Army Group letterhead, April 28, 1945. Clark writes to a young admirer. In part: “It gives me great pleasure not only to send you this letter, but also the patch of the 15th Army Group [not present]. The background square of the patch is Pompeian red, and the blue waves on the shield symbolize the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, the area in which the Army Group was formed is shown in the design. This letter is mailed to you at a time when the battle is going well for us here in Italy. After months of bitter struggle in the Appenines we have driven out into the flatlands to the north. We have taken the key city of Bologna and have sped on to and beyond the Po River.... In covering this ground we have inflicted serious losses upon the finest German divisions, and we have gone far towards attaining our objective of destroying or capturing the enemy forces in Italy….” Accompanied by a vintage ink signature, “Mark W. Clark,” on a card with affixed postage stamp honoring the joint effort of Brazil’s expeditionary force and the Fifth Army, as well as the ballpoint signature of Siegfried Westphal (Chief of Staff to Rommel and Kesselring) on his personal calling card. Light wrinkling to letter, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
