GLENN FORD - COLLECTION WITH THOMAS S. GATES JR., CARLISLE P. RUNGE - HFSID 284356

GLENN FORD
His US Navy Commission (1958), accompanied by awards bestowed by the Defense Department and the Veterans of Foreign Wars for Ford's contribution to national defense. Accompanying these individually framed honors are two items signed by him, a contract and a photograph. The framed commission and commendations were acquired from Glenn Ford's estate.
Collection comprised of: 1) Military Appointment signed: "Thomas S. Gates" as Secretary of the Navy, 7¾x10, matted and framed to12½x14¾. Washington, D.C., 1958 October 20. Appointment of Glenn Ford as Reserve Officer in the US Navy in the grade of Lieutenant Commander Restricted Line, effective October 23, 1958; 2) Award signed: "Carlisle P. Runge" as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, 17x13 framed. Washington, D.C., 1961 August 22. Certificate of commendation from the US Department of Defense (1961) to Lt. Commander Glenn Ford, USNR, in recognition of his "patriotic assistance" in the production of two orientation films: "Taiwan - Island of Freedom", and "Korea - Battleground of Liberty." 3) Medal of Honor award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (1966), bestowed on Glenn Ford in recognition of "outstanding achievements ... and meritorious service to our common cause. Framed to 13x17. 4) Carbon Partly Printed Contract signed: "Glenn Ford" in ink as Artist on last page, 4p, 8½x10¾, front and verso. Beverly Hills, California, 1957 September 20. Document engaging the William Morris Agency as Ford's exclusive agent for movies, radio and television for a period of one year. (Under this contract, Ford made several notable movies, including two portraying him as a naval officer.); and 5) Photograph inscribed and signed: "To my very/good friend 'Eddie'/My sincere Thanks-/and every good wish/Always/Glenn". B/w, 8x10. While Glenn Ford (1916-2006) is well remembered as a major American film star he deserves to be honored as well for his military career. Although a Canadian by birth, Ford served in the US Marine Corps during World War II and re-entered military service as a US Navy Reserve Officer, commissioned a Lieutenant Commander in the document offered here, and then promoted to commander in 1963 and to captain in 1968. Ford hosted a morale-building radio program, The Halls of Montezuma, during World War II. Returning to uniform, he guided creation of documentary films, earning the commendation from the Defense Department shown here. As a naval officer, he made two month-long visits to Vietnam, accompanying combat camera crews on the ground across South Vietnam, preparing training and informational films. Appropriately, the Veterans of Foreign Wars bestowed its highest medal on him, the third component of this collection. Of course, Ford wore uniforms on the movie screen too. During the year covered by the William Morris Agency contract shown here, Ford portrayed a navy officer in two films: a World War II sub commander in the drama Torpedo Run, and - appropriately - a public information officer in the lighthearted Don't Go Near the Water. He also donned the naval uniform from Destroyer (1943) to Midway (1976, portraying Admiral Raymond Spruance). Thomas S. Gates (1906-1983) was Secretary of the Navy in the Eisenhower administration (1953-1959), and then Secretary of Defense (1959-1961). Carlisle P. Runge, a professor of law at the University of Wisconsin, was an Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Kennedy administration. Both Gates and Runge were themselves veterans of World War II. The signed photo is lightly worn at corners and slightly rippled. The contract is lightly creased, not at signature, lightly nicked at blank lower margin, and has staple and binder holes at top edge. The three plaques are in fine condition.