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Lot #72
William McKinley

An army lieutenant receives his promotion a month before dying of dysentery during the Philippine-American War

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Description

An army lieutenant receives his promotion a month before dying of dysentery during the Philippine-American War

Partly-printed DS as president, one page, 21 x 16, May 27, 1901. McKinley appoints Charles McClure Jr, to the rank of First Lieutenant of Infantry. Signed at the conclusion by McKinley and countersigned by Secretary of War Elihu Root. Mild toning and light soiling, light creasing, and docketing along top edge. The blue seal is slightly worn and intact, otherwise rolled and in fine condition.

The Philippine-American War was raging at the time of McClure’s promotion, and history shows that the new lieutenant’s good fortunes were soon about to end. On July 1, 1901, McClure died in the Philippines; it was hardly a hero’s death, however, as McClure died not in battle but of dysentery. McKinley’s life would end two months later, on September 6, at the hands of assassin Leon Czolgosz. An attractive military document with a sad, unusual ending. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title:
  • Dates: #351 - Ended November 11, 2009





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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