Major General William "Wild Bill" Donovan Autograph
WWI Medal Of Honor
William “ Wild Bill” Donovan had a really amazing career and collecting his autograph is a challange. Although her served from the Mexican border chasing Poncho Villa in 1916, as a captain and colonel through World War One, in intelligence with the American Expeditionary Force during the Russian Civil War, and finally as the head of the OSS in World War Two finding a good autograph can be difficult.
During World War 1, Donovan served as a major in the 165th (formerly 69th) New York Infantry Regiment, Rainbow Division. In France he led troops into battle throughout the Champagne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Argonne campaigns. His courage under fire earned Donovan the nickname “Wild Bill”. He was wounded several times and for his service at Landres-et-St.Georges and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. By the end of WWI, Donovan had been promoted to the rank of colonel and awarded several medals by the United States and its European allies. He became one of the most decorated soldiers of WWI.
Citation:
Lt. Col. Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.
I was lucky to find this autograph. Most likely signed post WWI but his signature on a 3x5 slip of paper. I created a background and framed it for my collection. Finding Medal Of Honor awarded soldier’s autographs are much more difficult since the centennial of the war. But when you can find one it is really a piece of history knowing you have something actaully handled and signed by one of these brave men.
Do you have an autograph or a collectible froma World War One medal Of Honor awarded soldier? Please leave it in the comment below.
If you collect WWI US. Army items check out my book America In World War One: In Pictures And Illustrations.
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