GENERAL IRA C. EAKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/14/1976 - HFSID 167507

IRA C. EAKER
Air Force Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker signed this typed letter in 1976 to thank the Washington, D. C. Cirus Saints and Sinners Club for inviting him a to a luncheon honoring Jimmy Doolittle.
Typed Letter signed: "Ira". Pencil notations on verso in unknown hand. 1 page, 7x10¼, on his personalized stationery. Dec. 14, 1976. Addressed to Mr. Barnee Breeskin, President of the Circus Saints and Sinners Club, Washington, D. C. In full: "Dear Barnee: Thanks very much for inviting me to the Circus Saints and Sinner Club annual luncheon honoring General Doolittle. I enjoyed it very much. Congratulations also on the perfect program you and your associated arranged for this historic occasion. I was especially pleased to learn that you will one day head the organization, nation wide [sic]. Your able management of the Washington 'Tent" makes it clearly evident to all that the organization has picked the right man as its national leader. with [sic] admiration, appreciation and every good wish, Sincerely, Ira C. Eaker Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.)".The Circus Saints and Sinners Club is a charitable organization founded in the 1920s to provide homes to old circus workers. 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. Lightly foxed. Folds and creases (not near signature). Otherwise in fine condition.