Description
First edition of Soldier: The Memoirs of Matthew B. Ridgway, signed by the author. Octavo, [9], 371pp. Three quarter red cloth, blue cloth spine, title in gilt on spine. Stated “first edition” on copyright page. Faint remnant of newspaper clipping on front free endpaper by signature. Light wear from handling at edges of spine. In publishers dust jacket, toning to spine, some wear along top edge at spine, overall a very good example. Inscribed on the front free endpaper: “To Stephen W. Bumball, With cordial wishes. M. Ridgway. 3 April 58.”
Comments: General Matthew B. Ridgway served as the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. After his notable allied victories in Sicily, Italy and the Battle of Normandy, he took command of the XVIII Airborne Corps. He would command the corp in the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Varsity and the overall allied invasion of Germany. After the war, he would serve as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (1952-1953), the Army Chief of Staff (1953-1955) and as a member of the “Wise Men” group, advising President Johnson on the Vietnam War.
