RARE WWI USMC 2ND DIVISION UNIT HISTORY BOOK - N.WEST OF CHATEAU THIERRY 1918 For Sale
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RARE WWI USMC 2ND DIVISION UNIT HISTORY BOOK - N.WEST OF CHATEAU THIERRY 1918:
$342
See the images. I recently acquired a nice collection of World War I unit histories that I'll be listing on the week. This sale is for a book titled "SECOND DIVISION NORTHWEST OF CHATEAU THIERRY, 1 JUNE - 10 JULY".
Size 8 1/2" x 14", privately copied and bound by the previous owner, the late 2nd Division historian Jim Nilo. The lengthy manuscript (264 single-sided pages), was written by famous Marine Corps author and illustrator John W. Thomason, Jr. at the request of his superiors in 1927 for the purpose of documenting the 2nd Division's actions during the time period of the fierce fighting at Belleau Wood. The project was scraped when Thomason discovered unflattering details of command decisions of both Army and Marine officer's during the engagement. According to Mr. Nilo, six or fewer copies of the unpublished manuscripts were printed. This volume was copied from an original provided by William R. Mathews, who served with the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines as an Intelligence Officer at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Thomason was a fellow platoon commander at Belleau Wood with Mathews.
A note from Matthews at the front of the book states that "this is a valuable document written by my fellow platoon leader, John W. Thomason, describing the battle of Belleau Wood. It is meticulously accurate and vivid. Hqrs U.S. Marine Corps at Washington persistently refuse to publish, because 'it lacks literary quality.' That is a disgracefully weak alibi and is probably promoted by either the lack of knowledge of what happened at Belleau Wood, or by fear of injuring someone's feelings."
Condition excellent as shown with some light shelf wear and spotting to cover. One of only a couple of copies in this format. Rare and a valuable USMC reference.
NOTE: I am very good about getting my orders out promptly. $4.00 PRIORITY MAIL TO CONTINENTAL US. PAYPAL is now 's "required" payment method. I prefer PayPal. Any questions on that, just contact me. Thanks. George B. Harris, P.O. Box 1136, Alfred, NY 14802.
