Ridgway, Matthew

A group of 9 photographs signed and with autograph inscriptions to General Ridgway by his commander-in-chief and fellow generals, including: Harry Truman, thirty-third President. Color photograph (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 204 mm) of Truman smiling at his Oval Office desk, inscribed and signed on the mat: "To Lt. Gen. M. B. Ridgway, with kindest regards and best wishes for his continued success. Harry Truman, White House, Jan. 11, 1951"; backed with mat board. — Dwight D. Eisenhower, thirty-fourth President. Black-and-white portrait photograph (9 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 252 x 196 mm) of Ike in his uniform as five-star general, inscribed and signed at lower margin: "To Lt. Gen. Matthew Ridgway with lasting appreciation of his inspired battle leadership and admiration for his outstanding example of the best in the Regular Army of the U.S. From his friend Dwight D. Eisenhower"; glue stains on verso. — Omar Bradley. Black-and-white portrait photograph (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 204 mm) in his general's uniform, inscribed and signed across his chest: "To my close friend and associate General M. B. Ridgway with best wishes and high regards. Brad"; matted. — Douglas MacArthur. Black-and-white portrait photograph (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 204 mm) in his general's uniform, inscribed and signed lower right: "To Matt Ridgway with life-long regard. Douglas MacArthur. Tokyo 1951." — Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Black-and-white portrait photograph (11 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.; 297 x 233 mm) of the Field Marshal in uniform, inscribed and signed upper right: "To: Matt Ridgway with admiration and high regard from Monty. June 1952"; mounted on mat board with stamp of Baron Studios, London. — a photograph of Montgomery and his staff, signed "Montgomery of Alamein, Field-Marshal." — a small photograph of Montgomery and and Ridgway, stamped on the verso "United War Office Photograph ... 28 Dec 1944," signed "B. L. Montgomery Field-Marshal." — 2 other photographs inscribed to Ridgway by colleagues.

Matthew Bunker Ridgway graduated from West Point in 1917 and became one of the most distinguished U.S. Army officers of the twentieth century. In 1939, George Marshall assigned Ridgway to the War Department General Staff, where he remained until the United States entered World War II. He was given command of the 82^nd Airborne Division and led the paratroopers during the invasion of Sicily and the allied landing at Normandy. During Korea, by now a lieutenant general, Ridgway revitalized the Eighth Army, and, after President Truman relieved Douglas MacArthur of command, was promoted to general and became the United Nations commander in April 1951. In May 1952, he replaced Eisenhower as supreme commander of NATO forces. The present guest register and other items in this lot come from this pivotal period in Ridgway's career. Ridgway was named army chief of staff in 1953.