[World War II] Passionate Pacific Theater Manuscript Naval Dispatch, August 15, 1945

"Sea off Japan", USS San Diego, August 15, 1945. Single sheet, 6 1/2 x 8 in. (165 x 203 mm). Manuscript naval dispatch in pencil received from Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., Commander of the Third Fleet. Reads, in part: "Rec'd morning of Aug. 15. Wed. 45. ab sea off Japan with 3rd. flt. The Nip officers are still fighting X That means we are still facing an enemy that hates our carriers like the devil hates holy water X Until the Nips surrender and are disarmed they are dangerous and need killing X The best present insurance for our forces and a future insurance for peace is to carry it to them with everything we have X Carry on X Halsey..." Creasing from old folds.

A passionate Pacific Theater Naval dispatch, sent on the day of Japan's surrender. The USS San Diego, an Atlanta-class light anti-aircraft cruiser, was one of the most decorated United States ships in World War II (awarded 18 battle stars), and on August 27 was the first major Allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay after the surrender of Japan. Japan's surrender was announced by Japanese Emperor Hirohito later the same day that the San Diego received the present dispatch from Third Fleet commander Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., on August 15, 1945. The official surrender of Japan would take place on September 2, aboard the Third Fleet flagship, Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[World War II] Passionate Pacific Theater Manuscript Naval Dispatch, August 15, 1945