Letter Signed By General Joseph Stillwell, Blamed By Many For The “Fall Of China”

JOSEPH STILLWELL (1883-1946). “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell was a United States Army general who served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II. TLS. 1 pg. 8” x 10”. March 11, 1946. San Francisco, California. A typed letter signed “J.W. Stillwell” to “Jimmy Murfin”: “Dear Jimmy: Thank you for your letter of 19 January. My autograph appears on the card which is furnished for that purpose. With it comes my best wishes”. The autographed card is not included. In 1946, General Stillwell was commanding the Sixth U.S. Army, with jurisdiction over forces in 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in Central and South America and the Caribbean. However, Stillwell was best known as the American chief of staff to Chiang Kai-Shek. In this capacity, his efforts to forge unity between Nationalist and Communist forces in China and work to end lend-lease aid to Chiang led to his firing and a rise of anti-Chiang sentiment that culminated in the Communist takeover of mainland China several years after this letter and Stillwell’s death. James Murfin (1929-1987) left a legacy of more than a dozen books, numerous articles, and other works writing for the National Park Service and various historical publications. The letter has some minor folds, but is in otherwise very good condition.