War-dated TLS as president, signed “Dick,” one page, 7 x 10.25, White House letterhead, June 16, 1969. Letter to actor Jimmy Stewart and his wife Gloria, in full: "I have learned with great sorrow of the death of your soon Ronald. There is little I could say, I know, that would make your grief any less. I can only assure you that the nation he died to serve shares your grief and will forever honor his memory. I pray for the day when this war can be ended, and peace restored. I wish that your son could have lived to see that day. His courage, his devotion and his sacrifice have brought it closer. When it comes, there will be a special place in the thoughts of his country men for him and for you, and for the others who have borne the burdens of loss. Pat joins me in extending our deepest sympathy and in the hope that the profound respect your son has so tragically earned will help sustain and comfort you. You will be in our prayers, and in our hearts." In fine condition.
When James Stewart married former model Gloria Hatrick McLean in 1949, he became the stepfather to her two sons, Michael and Ronald, the latter being the solemn subject of this letter. On June 8, 1969, the 24-year-old McLean, a first lieutenant in the third Marine Division, was killed by enemy fire while on a six-man recon patrol eleven miles northwest of the Vandegrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province. He was struck with a bullet to the chest while protecting an injured soldier and was posthumously awarded Silver and Purple Stars by President Nixon for ‘conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.’ A moving letter from President Nixon written early into his administration, which is further augmented by its famous recipient and emotional weight.
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