TLS signed “James Gavin,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, July 6, 1964. Letter to Emile Gex, in part: "In my opinion, there is probably never courage without fear, for it is by overcoming fear that one demonstrates courage. There is an old saying that you may have read at some time that 'the rhinoceros is the bravest of animals because it has no imagination.' I do not think that any intelligent person, certainly no one whom I have known, and I have talked to many about this subject, has been without fear when entering combat by parachute. He must have sufficient courage therefore to overcome the fear if he is going to get on with getting his work done. Courage can be of two kinds—moral and physical. I believe that most people think of courage as a physical thing, but I believe the more difficult to acquire by far is moral courage. I think that at the outset of combat experience our younger soldiers have the greatest need for physical courage. However, with added experience it becomes quite clear that to a degree this may be taken for granted, especially among our older veterans. Moral courage, especially on the part of the commanders, is the very essential and frequently absent ingredient of combat success." Gavin adds a handwritten postscript, "P.S. There is an excellent book on this subject by Lord Moran, 'The Anatomy of Courage.'" In fine condition.
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