Signature / Printed General Order / Unsigned Photograph

"The G.I.s General," beloved American Army general active during World War II and the last five-star general; from 1949-53 served as first permanent chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Later life signature ("Omar" in black ballpoint) tipped to the close of a printed "General Orders No. 50," 6" X 9", 2pp (recto and verso), issued by the Department of the Army in Washington, DC on 15 July 1948. Very good. Mild edgewear; two-punched at left (not affecting text). As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Bradley makes the solemn announcement that "The death of General John Joseph Pershing, General of the Armies of the United States, which occurred at Washington, D.C., on 15 July 1948, is announced to the Army with deep regret." He goes on to summarize Pershing's long career and note a period of mourning and the wearing of mourning bands. Below Bradley's typeset name a white 3" X 1½" slip is affixed, clipped from a typed letter, with "Sincerely," typed at top and "OMAR N. BRADLEY / General of the Army" typed at bottom, between which Bradley signs his first name. Accompanied by a fine glossy 8" X 10" black and white news agency photograph, a candid half-length portrait of a smiling Bradley in uniform. Caption printed vertically along right edge dates this 27 June 1947 and describes the scene: "Gen. Omar N. Bradley, Veterans Administrator, shown leaving the White House after conferring with President Truman today, has been named by Washington observers as the most likely choice for U.S. Army Chief of Staff to succeed General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower." An interesting, unusual pair.…