154. [World War II]. Three-Star Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes’ uniform, cap, army officer’s overcoat, appointment document signed by Woodrow Wilson and related items.

Highly decorated Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Keyes (1888-1967) was promoted to Colonel on 26 June 1941, Brigadier General on 15 January 1942, Major General on 22 June 1942, and Lieutenant General on 17 April 1945 (the same day that Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. was promoted to four-star General). Among his military decorations and awards are the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the World War I and World War II Victory Medals, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver and two bronze service stars, and numerous awards from other countries including, from the U.K. (Honorary Companion of the Order of the Bath), France (Croix de Guerre with palm, Legion of Honour), Italy (Silver Medal of Military Valor), Czechoslovakia (Grand Officer of the Military Order of the White Lion), and the Vatican (Papal Lateran Cross).

Three-Star World War II Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes’ uniform, cap, and wool army officer’s overcoat – with many related letters and documents including his appointments signed by Woodrow Wilson and others and original photographs of him in uniform with Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman.

During World War II, Keyes was Chief of Staff, 2nd Armored Division (1940-1942), Commanding General 9th Armored Division (1942), Deputy Commanding General Western Task Force [North Africa] under Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. (1942-1943), Deputy Commanding General I Armored Corps [North Africa] under Gen. Patton (1943), Deputy Commanding General 7th Army [Sicily] under Gen. Patton (1943), Commanding General Provisional Corps [Sicily] appointed by Gen. Patton (1943), Commanding General II Corps [Italy] (1943-1946). He accepted the surrender of Palermo, Sicily, on 22 July 1943. Keyes then served as Commanding General 7th Army [Germany] (1945-1946), Commanding General 3rd Army [Germany] (1946-1947) and Deputy Commanding General U.S. Forces in Austria under Gen. Mark Clark (1947) – he had served under Gen. Clark at Anzio beach, Monte Cassino, and before Rome. Keyes was Commanding General U.S. Forces in Austria and U.S. High Commissioner in Austria from 1947 to 1950, retiring from the Army in 1950. 

Included in the lot are:
(1) Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes' two piece three-star uniform: light brown wool jacket, partly lined, with 
II Corps patch on left shoulder, a bar of three silver stars attached to each shoulder epaulet. Keyes' brass “U.S.” lapel insignia are also present, only the snaps for his ribbon bar remain. Shows normal usage. The jacket bears a brown cloth tag sewn on inside pocket, with Seal of the United States, and “Regulation Army Officer's Uniform.” A few moth nips to the jacket. The matching pants, at the waist inside, bear the tag “Regulation Army Officers’ Trousers” and “Keyes”, in unknown hand, is written in blue ink on one pocket next to a hand-numbered tag. Fine condition.

(2) Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes’ three-star khaki overseas cap, gold piping, with 
three white stars embroidered on the left side. Tag inside: “M. Banks Post Tailor Fort Knox, Ky.” This cap was also worn by Keyes as two-star Major General (1942-1945); under the flap, one can see that the third star was added after the first two stars were embroidered. Fine condition.

(3) Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes' wool overcoat, double-breasted with three buttons, two black bands at the end of each sleeve. The coat bears a brown cloth tag sewn on inside pocket, with Seal of the United States, and “Regulation Army Officer's Overcoat.” 
”II Corps” patch on right shoulder, U.S. Forces Headquarters Austria patch on left shoulder. Fine condition. Included is a 4.5 x 3.75 in. (114 x 95 mm.) black & white photograph showing Keyes wearing this overcoat as he greets troops at Christmas.

(4) 
President Woodrow Wilson appoints Geoffrey Keyes “First Lieutenant of Cavalry.” Partly-printed document signed (“Woodrow Wilson”) as President, 1 page (15.75 x 19.5 in.; 400 x 495 mm.), Washington, 17 August 1916. Countersigned ”Newton D. Baker” as Secretary of War. Wilson’s signature shows usual shade that exists on parchment. Blue War Office seal affixed at lower left. Minor flaws. 

• Ceremonial Tassel. Ornately-braided red, white, and blue tassel which may have been a uniform accessory. The tassel at each end is 7 in. (178 mm.) long.

• Various documents appointing Keyes: “Captain of Cavalry” (25 August 1917); “temporarily, a Lieutenant General” (17 April 1945); “Brigadier General in the Regular Army” (18 July 1946) and Major Keyes 10 July 1925 Diploma from The Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas.

• Special Orders No. 17, War Department, 20 January 1942, 20 pages (5.75 x 9 in.; 146 x 229 mm.), “For immediate delivery to Brig Gen Geoffrey Keyes, GSC referred to in par. 1 or prompt return to A.G.O., W.D.” Slight tears at upper margin of last page which states: “By Order of the Secretary of War: G.C. MARSHALL, Chief of Staff.” Penciled at upper right of first page in red: “Combat Commander 3 Armored Div.” Paragraph 1 (of 74), in part, “1. Announcement is made of the temporary appointment on 20 January 1942, of the following-named officers … To brigadier general with rank from 15 January 1942 … COLONEL GEOFFREY KEYES (O-3561), General Staff Corps…”

• Five original V-MAILS from Keyes to his wife, “Mrs. Geoffrey Keyes, U.S. Hotel Thayer, West Point, New York,” each 1 page (4.25 x 5 in.; 108 x 127 mm.) Excerpts: (13 April 1945) 
”We still don’t know what the Pres. death will mean…” [FDR died April 12th]; (15 April 1945) ”Was all set to give Prince Umberto a treat to day but he postponed his visit…”[Umberto became King of Italy in 1946]; (30 April 1945) ”Hope I can find time soon to acknowledge the notes or telegrams on my promotion…” [to Lieutenant General]; (8 August 1945) ”boat ride up the Danube … the boat which had been a present from Hitler to Admiral Horthy…” – (11 August 1945) ”I am sure the news of the past two days from Japan should cheer her up … I’m sure it will be settled very shortly…” [atomic bombs dropped August 6th & 9th].

• Three-quarter length photograph of Major General Geoffrey Keyes as Commanding General II Corps, wearing the overseas cap here offered. Sepia tone, (7 x 9.5 in.; 178 x 241 mm.)

• Bust photograph of Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes in uniform wearing the three-star overseas cap here offered. Black & white, (6.75 x 9.25 in.; 171 x 235 mm.)

• Original Photograph of General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes. Black & white, (7.5 x 9.5 in.; 191 x 241 mm.) Keyes is wearing his Third Army patch on his sleeve; he was Commanding General of the Third Army in Germany from April 1946 until January 1947.

• Original U.S. Army Photograph of President Harry S. Truman presenting a letter expressing congratulations and gratitude to Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes as General J. Lawton Collins, Army Chief of Staff (standing) looks on. Black & white, (8 x 10 in.; 203 x 254 mm.) Taken in the White House on 30 October 1950, a day before Keyes retired from the Army. Keyes is wearing his U.S. Forces Headquarters Austria patch on his left shoulder. Special shipping arrangements will apply.

Provenance: From the Estate of Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes. $12,000 - $15,000

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

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