Ridgway, Matthew

A group of 9 photographs signed and with autograph inscriptions to General Ridgway by his commander-in-chief and fellow generals, including: Harry Truman. Color photograph (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 204 mm) of Truman smiling at his Oval Office desk, inscribed and signed on the mat: "To Lt. Gen. M. B. Ridgway, with kindest regards and best wishes for his continued success. Harry Truman, White House, Jan. 11, 1951"; backed with mat board. — Dwight D. Eisenhower. Black-and-white portrait photograph (9 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 252 x 196 mm) of Ike in his uniform as five-star general, inscribed and signed at lower margin: "To Lt. Gen. Matthew Ridgway with lasting appreciation of his inspired battle leadership and admiration for his outstanding example of the best in the Regular Army of the U.S. From his friend Dwight D. Eisenhower"; glue stains on verso. — Omar Bradley. Black-and-white portrait photograph (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 204 mm) in his general's uniform, inscribed and signed across his chest: "To my close friend and associate General M. B. Ridgway with best wishes and high regards. Brad"; matted. — Douglas MacArthur. Black-and-white portrait photograph (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 204 mm) in his general's uniform, inscribed and signed lower right: "To Matt Ridgway with life-long regard. Douglas MacArthur. Tokyo 1951." — Bernard Law Montgomery. Black-and-white portrait photograph (11 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.; 297 x 233 mm) of the Field Marshal in uniform, inscribed and signed upper right: "To: Matt Ridgway with admiration and high regard from Monty. June 1952"; mounted on mat board with stamp of Baron Studios, London. — a photograph of Montgomery and his staff, signed "Montgomery of Alamein, Field-Marshal." — a small photograph of Montgomery and and Ridgway, stamped on the verso "United War Office Photograph ... 28 Dec 1944," signed "B. L. Montgomery Field-Marshal." — 2 other photographs inscribed to Ridgway by colleagues.

Matthew Bunker Ridgway graduated from West Point in 1917 and became one of the most distinguished U.S. Army officers of the twentieth century. On April 1951, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief of the Far East Command, was removed from duty by President Truman. That vacancy was quickly filled by Ridgway, and he was promoted to full general. Later, Ridgway replaced General Dwight D. Eisenhower on May 30th, 1952, making him the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe.