GENERAL IRA C. EAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/10/1981 - HFSID 167589

IRA C. EAKER
Air Force Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker signed this typed letter in 1981 to say that he can't answer the recipient's questions. Accompanied by an unsigned program from the presentation of a Special Congressional Gold Medal to Eaker.
Typed Letter signed: "Ira C Eaker". Pencil notations on verso in unknown hand. 1 page, 7¼x10¼, on his personalized stationery. April 10, 1981. Addressed to Mr. Rob Tom, Flint, Michigan. In full: "Dear Mr. Tom: Thank you for your letter of April 2nd. Unfortunately, I do not have secretarial help any longer and am unable to answer your questions. Also, I am closing down this office the end of this mount and therefore will be unable to reply to you letters in the future. I knew all the men your mentions very well and thought them all capable and had the greatest respect for all of them. Enclosed is a copy of the 'Presentation of a Special Congressional Gold Medal' which includes a biographical sketch. Sincerely, Ira C. Eaker Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.)".Paper loss in left corners. Adhesive residue in top right corner. Folds and creases (not near signature). Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: Unsigned b/w program. 6 pages including cover, 1 sheet, front and verso. Titled: "Presentation/of a/Special Congressional Gold Medal/to/Lieutenant General Ira. C. Eaker/United Stated Air Force, (Retired)". Held at the Pentagon in Washington, D. C. on Dec. 17, 1979. Lightly toned, soiled and creased, otherwise in fine condition. EAKER (1896-1987) made the first transcontinental flight purely on instruments (1936). During WWII, he personally led the first U. S. B-17 bomber strike against German occupation forces in France, the bombing of Rouen, Aug. 17, 1942. In June 1944, after being transferred to the Mediterranean, he flew the first bombing raid from Italy into Germany, landing in the Soviet Union after striking factory and oil installations and other military targets. In 1944, he was named Commander of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. In 1970, Eaker was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.