TLS, one page, 7 x 9, The Attorney General letterhead, April 6, 1961. Letter to T. DeGroff in New Jersey, in full: "I have received your contribution to the fund to assist Alvin C. York. Your interest and your generosity are greatly appreciated. I am forwarding this to Representative Joe Evins of Tennessee, the treasurer of this fund." In very good to fine condition, with an area of light irregular toning.
A hero of World War I, Alvin York's health began to deteriorate in 1954 he suffered from a stroke that would leave him bedridden for the remainder of his life. In 1951, the Internal Revenue Service accused him of tax evasion regarding profits earned from the biographical film Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper. Unfortunately, Sgt. York was practically destitute in 1951. He spent the next ten years fighting the IRS, which led Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn and Congressman Joe L. Evins to establish the York Relief Fund to help cancel the debt. In 1961, the matter was brought to the attention of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy called the matter a national disgrace and ordered that the matter be resolved. The relief fund paid the IRS $100,000 and placed $30,000 in trust to be used in the family's best interest.
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