Description
First edition of With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, inscribed by the author, E.B. Sledge, K Company commander Capt. Thomas Stanley, and 11 fellow members of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.
Octavo, xvi, 326pp. Brown hardcover, title stamped in gilt. First edition, with no additional printings on copyright page. Clean text throughout, thumb marks to edge of text block, wear at heel of spine. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, notably worn, $15.95 retail price on front flap, ISBN number on rear flap, tape repairs to closed tears. Notably worn as this copy was passed between Sledge and fellow members of the “Old Breed.”
Housed in custom brown cloth clamshell, title in gilt on black morocco label on spine.
This copy is inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: “May 18, 1988 / To Frank O’Brien, Best wishes to a former member of the 11th Marines, 1st Marine Div., – the finest artillery outfit in WWII. From one member of the Old Breed to another – Semper Fidelis, Gene Sledge.”
Further inscribed by Captain Tom “Stumpy” Stanley, the company commander of the K/3/5 following the death of Captain Haldane on Peleliu. Stanley was Sledge’s commanding officer and contributed a foreword to this book at his request. Stanley inscribed this copy: “To Frank O’ Brien – Good friend + fellow Marine, All the Best / Tom “Stumpy” Stanley / Capt. USNAR / Semper Fi.”
Signed by the following members of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (K/3/5), who served with the company in the Pacific Theater during World War II: Jim P. “Babe” McEnery, Levi T. “Bud” Rose, Jerry Conners, Fabian A. “Shi” Kowalski, Sergeant Romus V. “RV” Burgin, Philip G. Hoff, Robert G. “Bucky” Pearson, Soterios “Sam” J. Menzelos, John B. Dillon, and two unidentified individuals.
Provenance: This copy of With The Old Breed was likely a gift from Capt. Tom Stanley to fellow Marine and lifelong friend Frank O’Brien. From there, O’Brien compiled the additional inscriptions at the 1st Marine Division Association Reunions, held annually in August. This book is from the private collection of William Witmer of Williamsport, PA. Additional provenance from the previous owner and the Stanley family is included in the book.
