Kennedy, John F., as thirty-fifth President

Typed letter signed ("John Kennedy"), 1 page (8 7/8 x 6 3/4 in.; 225 x 172 mm) on light green White House stationery, Washington, 14 August 1963, to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, with one autograph emendation and two-word autograph postscript.— Accompanied by a typed letter to McNamara, signed with Kennedy's name by a proxy, 1 page on White House stationery, 25 October 1962, asking the Defense Secretary to "represent me and place the Presidential wreath at the Annual Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery."

President Kennedy acknowledges the condolences of Secretary and Mrs. McNamara on the death of the Kennedy's infant son, Patrick Bouvier, on 9 August 1963, two days after the child's birth. "Mrs. Kennedy and I were most grateful to you and Margy for your kind message during our recent loss.

"Your personal expression was a source of strength and encouragement to us both." Kennedy has struck out the typed name "Mrs. McNamara" and written in "Margy" by hand. He also added the very brief autograph postscript, "our thanks."

The Kennedys' second son was born five-and-a-half weeks premature at Otis Air Force Base Hospital and was immediately transferred to Boston Children's Hospital, where he died of respiratory distress syndrome.