GENERAL MARK W. CLARK - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/01/1973 - HFSID 178534

MARK W. CLARK
Mark W. Clark sends a typed letter talking about the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Typed Letter Signed: "Mark W. Clark," 1p, 8½x11. As President Emeritus, The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, 1973 March 1. To Mr. Peter J, Thayer, East Chicago, Indiana. In full: "Your letter of February 20 was on my desk when I returned yesterday from visiting in Muncie, Indiana, That's my wife's home. I note the questions you have asked, but because my desk is piled high with unfinished business, my answers will be short. I hope you'll understand. Ref. pages 317-18: Yes, I agree with your belief. Had we won our first test of arms with communism in Korea, I believe there would not have been a Vietnam. Ref. page 83: I believe that Japan still fears the Russians and knows first hand of their deceitful ways. I believe it is only natural, our having opened up the door to China that Japan would do the same, for it is the logical place for their trade. Res. Page 298: I don't believe there is still any of our Americans held by the North Koreans resulting from the Korean War. They just murdered many of our people at the time of their capture or immediately following, and never accounted for them. I am sure the same applies for those who are unaccounted for in Vietnam. Ref. page 168: I believe President Rhee was right in most cases. He hated communism and was willing to die fighting it, and sparked his people to feel the same way. He developed a staunch ally in Korea for our people, I think he will go down in history as a great leader. He was unscrupulous, as are so many of the orientals (sic). With reference to getting a copy of 'Calculated Risk', it has been reproduced on The Citadel presses in paper back form. It's a pretty good edition and if you'll write to Major Harvey Brand, in charge of The Citadel Canteen, The Citadel, Charleston, S. C. 29409, I am sure he'll send you one. I believe they sell for two or three dollars a copy and the proceeds go into the Mark Clark Scholarship Fund at The Citadel. Sincerely," General Mark Wayne Clark (1896-1984), who assumed command of the Fifth Army in North Africa in 1943 and commanded the Fifth Army in the invasion of Italy in 1944, became a Four-Star General in March 1945. He accepted the surrender of German forces in Italy and Austria and, from 1945 to 1947, was the U.S. High Commissioner in occupied Austria. In 1953, as Commander in Chief of the United Nations Command, he signed the military armistice between the U.N. Command and the North Korean Army and Chinese People's Volunteers in Korea. That year, he also began his 12 years of service as President of The Citadel. Clark is buried on the campus of The Citadel next to Mark Clark Hall. Fold creases not near signature. Fine condition.