150. [World War II – Pearl Harbor]. Kelly, Robert Lee. Autograph letter signed (“Bob”), 1.5 pages (6.75 x 10 in.; 171 x 254 mm.), front and back, on “U.S.S. Arizona” pictographic stationery, 27 November 1945, written to “My Darling Wife”, Mrs. R.L. Kelly, Long Beach, California. With transmittal envelope completed in Kelly’s hand with return address, “R.L. Kelly C.E.M., U.S.S. Arizona, Pearl Harbor, T.H. [Territory of Hawaii]” Accompanied by (8) envelopes from the U.S.S. Pensacola on which Kelly served prior to the Arizona. Also includes (30+) wartime photographs from Kelly’s widow’s scrapbook, ranging in size from (4.75 x 3.25 in. to 8 x 10 in.) (121 x 83 mm. to 203 x 254 mm.) Letter exhibits usual folds; photographs in varying condition with tape remnants present on some of the images.

Chief Electrician’s Mate of the U.S.S. Arizona writes a heartfelt letter to his wife ten days before the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Kelly writes in full: My Darling Wife: I received a letter from you and a letter you sent from Sister, I don’t know whether I answered or not but I was looking for a letter from you and wondering why you didn’t write, but I looked in my stationery box tonight and found these two, and I usually tear them up when answered. I was ashore the other night with Steve and got lit up pretty well, but it didn’t help much only for a few hours and then the same old blue world just as blue and lonesome as ever. It looks like we will never come back and the housing problem is getting worse a lot of Ford workmen out here now and paying seventy five to a hundred a month rent which we couldn’t afford. The rumor now is the twenty first of December, but the rumors are started to keep the morale up but it isn’t working so well now as no one puts much hope in them anymore. Mary seems to be disgusted with me for not answering her letter but if she only knew how much work it is for me to write to them all she could understand. Well honey I’ll close with all my love to you. Bob

U.S.S. Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for the U.S. Navy and launched 19 June 1915. Although commissioned in 1916, the ship remained Stateside during World War I. Shortly after the war, the Arizona was one of a number of American ships that briefly escorted President Woodrow Wilson to the Paris Peace Conference. The ship was sent to Turkey in 1919 at the beginning of the Greco-Turkish War to represent American interests for several months. Several years later, she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and remained there for the rest of her career. Arizona underwent a comprehensive modernization in 1929-31 and was regularly used for training exercises between wars. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Arizona was bombed. She exploded and sank, killing 1,177 officers and crewmen, including C.E.M.A. Robert Lee Kelly. Unlike many of the other ships, sunk or damaged that day, Arizona could not be fully salvaged, though the Navy removed parts of the ship for reuse. The wreck still lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, dedicated on 30 May 1962 to all those who died during the attack, straddles the ship’s hull. $800 - $1,200

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

After payment has been made in full, Profiles in History may, as a service to buyers, arrange to have property packed, insured and shipped at your request and expense. For shipping information, please contact Profiles in History at (310) 859-7701. In circumstances in which Profiles in History arranges and bills for such services via invoice or credit card, we will also include an administration charge. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges from Profiles in History's offices in Calabasas, CA to the buyer's door. If items are of unusual size and/or weight, they will require special handling and will incur an additional shipping premium as charged by the carrier. Please see Terms & Conditions of Sale.

by Profiles in History
June 11, 2015 11:00 AM PDT
26662 Agoura Rd
Calabasas, CA, US 91302

Profiles in History

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $249,999 $10,000
$250,000 + $25,000