Carter, Jimmy, as thirty-ninth President

Typed letter signed ("Jimmy Carter"), 1 page (8 1/4 x 6 1/8 in.; 208 x 156 mm) on The White House letterhead, Washington, 26 April 1980, to Pamela (Mrs. Joel C.) Mayo, with original typed envelope. Matted, glazed, and framed with a photographic portrait of Carter, with facsimile signature.

President Carter praises "the noble sacrifice" of Sergeant Joel Mayo, United States Air Force, the day after he was killed in action during the ill-fated attempt to free the American hostages seized during the 1979 Iranian revolution. "On behalf of all Americans, I extend deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your husband, Joel, who bravely undertook a humanitarian mission for our country. I know that words cannot assuage your grief, but I hope it will be of some comfort for you to know that I mourn with you and share your sorrowful burden. The noble sacrifice made by your husband, his courage and dedication, command the highest respect and gratitude of us all." In his memoir Keeping Faith, Carter reflected on the failed rescue mission: "I am still haunted by memories of that day—our high hopes for success, the incredible series of mishaps, the bravery of our rescue team, the embarrassment of failure, and above all, the tragic deaths in the lonely desert."