JAMES WHITTAKER - INSCRIBED BOOK SIGNED CIRCA 1945 - HFSID 264481

JAMES C. WHITTAKER
The author pens his signature on his book We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing
Book inscribed and signed: "'To my dear friend Cecelia Casserly,' a gracious and lovely Lady, who has been very kind to me through the years, and has given me my most pleasant memory's (sic), Affectionately, Jim Whittaker" on title page, 139 pages, 5½x7¾, hardcover. His book, We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing, E.P. Dutton & Company, Inc., New York: 1945. Original copyright 1943; Twelfth Printing. Dated by Whittaker: "March - 24 - 1945." Subtitled The Complete Epic Story of the Ordeal and Rescue of Those Who Were With Eddie Rickenbacker on the Plane Lost in the Pacific, Whittaker's book was one of two written by survivors of the dramatic rescue in the Pacific during WWII; the other was Seven Came Through, written by Rickenbacker. Lieutenant Whittaker was in one of the three rafts set adrift in the Pacific after the plane carrying Rickenbacker on a special assignment for the War Department was forced to ditch in the Pacific after overshooting Canton Island. Rickenbacker, his aide, Colonel Hans Adamson, and a member of his flight crew were rescued at sea after 21 days adrift. Whittaker and the men in his raft were able to make landfall on the island of Nukufetau, where they were assisted by the natives and arrangements were made for their rescue. Some pages lightly stained at blank areas. Copyright page is lightly shaded at blank right margin. Book is in fine condition.