GENERAL E. R. CRAWFORD - TYPED LETTER TWICE SIGNED 04/04/1973 - HFSID 24109

E. R. CRAWFORD
Typed Letter signed in 1973 as Deputy Commander, US European Command. He has initialed an autograph note on the same page.
Typed Letter signed: "E. R. Crawford", 1 page, 7x8½. US European Command (Stuttgart, Germany), 1973 April 4. On his personal letterhead (with 2-star Admiral's logo) to Merv Slotnick, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. In full: "I was happy to sign the enclosed covers for your collection. I served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and commanded the USS S-46 (SS-157) and the USS Roncador (SS-301). I never had the occasion to meet General Patton. Sincerely". He has added an autograph note at bottom: "P. S. Good luck in your hobby. ERC". As a young lieutenant, E. R. Crawford sailed the SS-46 on a combat patrol East of New Guinea I September-October, 1942. After returning that vessel to Panama, he took command of another sub, the Roncador, but the war ended before the Roncador could get into action. Crawford, by now a Rear Admiral, was commander of the US naval base at Guantanamo, Cuba (1966-1968). When he signed this letter, Crawford was the senior US naval officer in Europe. The US European Command (EUCOM), then commanded by Army General Andrew Goodpaster, controlled US military forces from Iceland to Ireland, including the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Horizontal fold creases, affecting lower edge of signature. Otherwise, fine condition.