Description
The first edition of General Wainwright’s Story, signed by Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright.
Octavo, [5], 314pp. Brown cloth, title stamped in gilt. Stated “First Edition” on copyright page. Paperclip remnant mark on the title page. Clean text throughout. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $3.00 on front flap, two small archival tape repairs to verso, a scarce example in this condition.
Signed on the front free endpaper: “J.M. Wainwright. General. U.S.A.”
General Jonathan M. Wainwright (1883-1953) was a senior U.S. Army officer who became the highest-ranking American prisoner of war during World War II. After leading the defense of the Philippines following General Douglas MacArthur’s departure, Wainwright surrendered the American and Filipino forces on Corregidor Island to the Japanese on May 6, 1942. He spent over three years in captivity, enduring harsh conditions in various POW camps in the Philippines, Formosa (Taiwan), and Manchuria. Wainwright was liberated by Soviet forces in August 1945 and later awarded the Medal of Honor.
