Two items: a TLS signed "Irving Berlin," one page, 7.25 x 11, personal letterhead, January 2, 1944, in part: "I often wondered what happened to the music we created and shipped out to the bands in the A[merican] E[xpeditionary] F[orces] during the last war and it was a great source of satisfaction to know that it really arrived and was used…I was one of a committee of three to choose this music…and I personally supervised the packing…the Armistice came right in the middle of it"; and a program from the Grand Opera House in Belfast for Berlin’s Overseas Tour of 'This is the Army' in 1944, 3.25 x 8, signed on the reverse in fountain pen by Irving Berlin. All 150 cast members were soldiers, all enlisted, men attended free of charge and all monies from the UK tour went to British service charities On October 2, 1945, President Truman and General George Marshall awarded Berlin the Army’s Medal of Merit in appreciation of his music and lyrics to 'This is the Army.' In very good to fine condition, with folds and handling wear to the program.
