Description
Original December 31, 1954 U.S. Army Cold War letter issued by Headquarters, Northern Area Command, APO 757, Office of the Engineer. Addressed to Mr. Ernest Vevoda of the Real Estate Branch, the letter provides a fascinating contemporary account of the enormous American military construction and facilities program underway in West Germany.
Signed in blue ink by Colonel Marvin C. Ellison, Corps of Engineers, the message thanks Vevoda for his contribution during 1954 and outlines the engineering mission facing Northern Area Command in 1955 and 1956.
Historical details cited in the letter include:
* Approximately 300 million Deutsche Marks invested in construction underway or completed
* An additional 320 million Deutsche Marks programmed for projects during 1955-1956
* A repairs and utilities budget exceeding 150 million Deutsche Marks
* Direct connection to U.S. Army installations, housing, infrastructure and property administration in postwar Germany
* Individually addressed to an employee of the Northern Area Command Real Estate Branch
* Likely hand-signed by Colonel Marvin C. Ellison rather than bearing a printed signature
This is a scarce piece of internal U.S. Army correspondence documenting the transition from the postwar occupation period into the permanent American and NATO military presence in West Germany. It has strong appeal for collectors of Cold War history, U.S. Army Europe material, Corps of Engineers documents, military construction history and signed military ephemera.
The letter retains its original mailing or filing folds, with light age toning, handling wear and minor creasing. The typewritten content and signature remain clear and highly presentable.
Please view all the photos for a complete appreciation of the document, its historical content and condition.
