Lot 287

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Description:

Reagan Superb ALS "it is necessary that we fight in Vietnam". Ex. Forbes

Single page autograph letter signed on lightly lined yellow paper, 8" x 12.5". Although undated, a red line is drawn through the body of the letter which was then dated "5-3-68". Signed by Ronald Reagan "R.R." Ex. The Forbes Collection. Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990), American owner-publisher of Forbes magazine, and consummate collector,  amassed one of the most substantial and broad collections of such breadth and depth that it filled a half-dozen residences, and sat on three continents. Many of his manuscripts were sold in Multi-million dollar sales By Christie's in the early 2000’s. The Forbes name is considered to be the apex of provenance when attached to an item like the above. We are honored to have been chosen by the family to sell at auction the substantial balance of the collection.

An important letter written by Reagan to Sergeants Edward Wynes and Thompson in which he discusses our involvement in Vietnam, shown in part below:

"let me assure you the overwhelming majority of us do support what you are doing and are deeply grateful for all that you and your companies are doing in defense of freedom. Most of us believe it is necessary that we fight in Vietnam + most of us believe our government should have removed the hobbles and restrictions a long time ago so you could go on and win.

Most of us also are deeply ashamed about the Pueblo and determined that it and the 83 young men will be remembered …

Don't give up on the Flag or the Eagle just yet …"

This letter was written during the height of Vietnam war and towards the later part of the Tet Offensive. The Tet Offensive of 1968 was a coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam. The offensive was an attempt to foment rebellion among the South Vietnamese population and encourage the United States to scale back its involvement in the Vietnam War. Though U.S. and South Vietnamese forces managed to hold off the attacks, news coverage of the massive offensive shocked the American public and eroded support for the war effort. Despite heavy casualties, North Vietnam achieved a strategic victory with the Tet Offensive, as the attacks marked a turning point in the Vietnam War and the beginning of the slow, painful American withdrawal from the region.

The Tet Offensive proved to have effects that were far-reaching. It changed the entire way that the United States approached the war: before the Tet Offensive the U.S. objective in Vietnam was to win the war; after the Tet Offensive, the U.S. objective shifted toward finding a face-saving way to get out of Vietnam. To understand fully the impact of the 1968 Tet Offensive, we must first go back to the previous year. By 1967, after more than two years of bitter fighting, the commitment of more than 400,000 troops, and steadily increasing casualty figures, many Americans believed that the war had degenerated into a bloody stalemate. At the same time, the anti-war movement was increasing in volume and intensity. Politically, President Johnson was under fire even within his own party for his handling of the war. Given this situation, Johnson launched what became known as the “success offensive,” designed to convince the American people that the war was being won and that administration policies were succeeding.

An important Reagan ALS during a tumultuous period of American history.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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August 19, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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$2,000 $2,999 $200
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$50,000 + $5,000