YE JIANYING | Typed letter signed in Traditional Chinese ("Yeh Chien-Ying") thanking US Major W.A. Dexheimer for a gift, and wishing him Christmas cheer 

Property from the Descendants of Colonel Wilbur A. Dexheimer

YE JIANYING

Typed letter signed in Traditional Chinese ("Yeh Chien-Ying") thanking US Major W.A. Dexheimer for a gift, and wishing him Christmas cheer 

1 page (10 1/2 x 7 3/4 in; 269 x 198 mm), with inscribed envelope, 26 December 1944; some spotting and foxing, folds.

A personal note from one of the future founding ten marshal's of the People's Liberation Army.

The Dixie mission represented not only an opportunity to gain allies, but also to gain friends.

Ye Jianying writes with a familiar tone to Wilbur Dexheimer: "Please allow me to thank you for your very thoughtful gift. It will always remind me of the close friendship and cooperation that it has been my honor to receive from you and from the U.S. Army personnel which you so able represent" and goes on to state "I assure you that I will treasure the gift as one of my most valuable possessions." 

At this time, Ye was one of Mao's inner circle, and greatly recognized for the part he played in Red Army's Long March.