GENERAL IRA C. EAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/10/1981 - HFSID 190324

IRA C. EAKER
Air Force Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker signed this typed letter to a teacher in 1981 to say that he was "delighted to be of some assistance to you in encouraging your students to study modern events and people."
Typed Letter signed: "Ira C Eaker". 1 page, 7¼x10, on his personalized stationery. April 10, 1981. Addressed to Mr. Millard Billings, Kingsland, Georgia. In full: "Dear Mr. Billings: I am delighted to be of some assistance to you in encouraging your students to study modern events and people. The five copies of the 'Declaration of War on Germany' [not enclosed] have been autographed, and I have enclosed a number of autographed photographs- as well as a number of copies of the 'Presentation of a Special Congressional Gold Medal' [not included] to me, which contain a biographical sketch. I hope they will be of some help to you, Sincerely, Ira C. Eaker Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.)".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. Creases (not near signature). Light dents in top right corner. Otherwise in fine condition.