DOUGLAS MACARTHUR.  Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was an American general who was the Allied Supreme Commander in the Pacific during World War II.  He was also the Supreme Commander of UN forces during the Korean War and was later fired by President Harry S. Truman for insubordination.

RARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY DOUGLAS MACARTHUR DECLINING TO ATTEND A RING BANQUET AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT

Rare autograph letter signed by Douglas MacArthur with his unique mark declining to attend the ring banquet for the 1958 graduating class at the United States Military Academy at West Point: “Dear Julius, Thank you so much for the invitation to attend the Ring Banquet of your distinguished class.  I regret that it will not be possible for me to do so.  Please express to all connected my deep appreciation of the destination of the invitation and my cordial regards and best wishes to 1958.  I will follow the cover of its members with sincerest interest and hearty anticipation.  Best luck to you all.  Most sincerely, –.”  MacArthur graduated from West Point in 1903.

“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INVITATION TO ATTEND THE RING BANQUET OF YOUR DISTINGUISHED CLASS…PLEASE EXPRESS TO ALL CONNECTED MY DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE DESTINATION OF THE INVITATION AND MY CORDIAL REGARDS AND BEST WISHES TO 1958.  I WILL FOLLOW THE COVER OF ITS MEMBERS WITH SINCEREST INTEREST AND HEARTY ANTICIPATION.  BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL.”

Contains three pages on the Waldorf-Astoria New York letterhead, created in New York City in 1958, measures 6 by 3.75 inches, and in very fine condition with staple holes and creasing to the top left corner.