Donald Commander William (3 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good Plus. No Jacket. First ( No Additional printings). Original dark blue cloth with gilt spine lettering on boards. One of the most successful small ship commanders, he was known especially for his service in Norway in 1940. He continued to serve through the rest of WW II, earning the D.S.C. and Bar. He died in 2002 at the age of 91. This book is very clean and sound, with no writing or damage. 200 pp. plus several ads of contemporary war stories. . Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Photo Front. And Action Photos (illustrator). Book.…

1st edition dust jacket Nice Copy octavo 200pp., frontis., b/w plates, The Memoirs of a Small Ship Commander in World War II. Author first commanded a corvette then a destroyer, commanding a new destroyer in the Anzio landing. The D-Day & finally the relief of Hong Kong. Nice copy in slightly chipped dust jacket.…

Condition: Very good. 1982-1995., 1982-1995. Very good. - 1) April 8, 1982. Retained copy of Combs' application for Uniformed Services ID cards, filled out in pencil and dated & signed in ink by Combs with his initials. 2) December 27, 1985. Typed draft of a letter to Kathleen M. Deering congratulating her on her upcoming retirement from the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. Signed in ink by Combs. 3) May 23, 1987. A 5-page handwritten draft of a letter to the secretary of the Commander of the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Peggy Craig. He tells a tale of Admiral Harry Rousseau and Alice Longworth and congratulates her on her most recent newsletter "Blueprint". The issue is present in the archive. 4) May 15, 1990. Responding to an accompanying birthday card from Peggy Craig, Combs has typed on 2 pages the draft of a letter thanking her, together with hand-written notes. "We have had 24 chiefs of the CEC and I have personally known every one of them." 5) November 9, 1990. A typed letter signed by Major General, USAF, Joseph A. Ahearn, "Bud Ahearn". The letter, typed on The Society of American Military Engineers letterhead, informs Admiral Combs that "the National Board of The Society of American Military Engineers has selected you to be an Honorary Member of the Society." 6) December 18, 1991. A typed letter signed "Haufie" from Harold D. Hauf on "Fellow American Institute of Architects" letterhead. He thanks Admiral Combs, "Dear Lewie", for the enclosures in his recent letter to Hauf and discusses the upcoming celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the Seabees. 7) March 28, 1991. A typed letter signed from Brigadier General, USA, Ret. Walter O. Bachus on The Society of American Military Engineers letterhead in reference "to the presentation of your Society Honorary Member award. We understand the reasons that you cannot travel to Seattle to receive the award." Signed "Walt Bachus". 8) April 19, 1991. A letter from Captain John K. Callahan, Jr., NOAA, "We sincerely hope you plan to attend this year's meeting.we are prepared to provide you with a personal escort to assist you.". Signed "John K. Callahan". 9) May 28, 1992. A typed letter signed from Tom W. Reside on "Navy Seabee Veterans of America Past National Commander" letterhead. Following 3 paragraphs of personal news, Reside mentions the "Tombstone Admiral" program and notes that Combs qualified for the RADM title. Signed "Tom". Together with 3 pages of a handwritten draft and a typewritten version of it from Admiral Combs to Tom Reside dated November 25, 1992. 10) December 1985-August 20, 1992. A series of 9 letters, 4 from David E. Bottorff, Rear Admiral, Civil Engineer Corps, Commander, Naval Facilities Command and Chief of Civil Engineers and 5 from Admiral Combs. December 3rd or 4th 1985. A 3-page handwritten draft of a letter from Combs congratulating Bottorff on his selection for "flag rank". He then goes on to reminisce about their old times together. These 9 letters consist of: October 12, 1989. A typewritten draft of a letter from Combs to Bottorff. "The Chief has informed me of your appointment to succeed him and I want to extend my sincere congratulations. I have followed with great interest the careers of my R.P.I. 'boys' as I call them and particularly those who have made flag rank. I have a sense of pride in that perhaps I had a small part in their early preparation." February 21, 1990. A typewritten draft of a letter from Combs to Bottorff thanking the Admiral and his wife for an invitation to the CEC/Seabee Ball. April 2, 1990. A typed letter signed "Dave" from Bottorff congratulating Combs on his "95th birthday and a 65th wedding anniversary!". April 3, 1990. A typed letter signed "Dave" from Bottorff again sending birthday and anniversary congratulations to Combs. October 23, 1990. A typed copy of a letter to Admiral Bottorff from Combs, signed by Combs. Mostly personal recollections, he writes "I found pictures of the famous Gawarkiewicz lawn part.…