John katherine

1953 · 016583 — Boston Massachusetts U.S.A.: Little Brown & Co 1953. Book. Good. Hardcover. Signed by Authors. 1st Edition. Hard cover copy of the first edition some damp staining along the lower boards front and rear interior gutters are darkened else a good tight square copy with some offsetting from the binders glue that darkens the gutters of the front and rear endpapers. This copy is inscribed by General John K. Herr who "was a career American soldier. Herr served for 40 years in the United States Cavalry and participated in the final battles of World War I as chief of staff of the 30th Division but is best remembered for being the last Chief of U. S. Cavalry in history. In March 1938 Major General Herr was appointed Chief of Cavalry and became a fierce advocate of traditional horse cavalry troops. He defended cavalry as an independent branch of service and opposed conversion of mounted troops into mechanized or armored units. Herr's affection to horse "somewhat quixotic" for the period temporarily made him "a hero and a standard bearer" to generations of officers indoctrinated in cavalry tactics" Signed copies of this title and quite uncommon. What makes this copy of special interest is that the full page inscription by Herr is to a supporter of the Army Polo team and speaks to their great victory over the British team at Meadow Brook in 1923. At that time polo was very popular in the US and the 1923 match would only increase the popularity. "The four selected for the Army Team included two prominent cavalry officers of the day Captain of the Team Major Arthur H. "Jingles" Wilson a 6th Cavalry Medal of Honor recipient from "knocking out the Moros" in 1909 and Major John K. Herr a highly rated five-goal player who became the last Army Chief of Cavalry in 1938. Although a strong squad and the best the U.S. Army had to offer the British were heavily favored to win being rated some 14 goals higher per match than the U.S. team." "The opening match for the best of three series was held on 12 September 1923 amidst great excitement. Before some ten thousand spectators the British Army Team scored only 30 seconds after the beginning of play but the U.S. squad battled back to win an upset 10-7 led by Team Captain Wilson and "Herr and Beard stroking splendidly saving many points by their courage in checking the British attack."15 Secretary of War Weeks and "officers and buck privates" in the stands celebrated the victory as the Americans at a gallop style of play seemed to baffle the slower moving British.16 Four days later the Empire struck back with a 12-10 win against the American officers with "Black Jack" Pershing and the U.S. Military Academy First Class in attendance as spectators on a Saturday.17 Thus a third and decisive match was to determine the first ever International Military Polo Championship. Major Herr wrote home on 18 September that "Today we must do battle with our backs against the wall" before heading to the field to ride polo ponies Liggett Starlight Meld and Spaghetti against the UK.18 Continuing their hurry up offensive style of play the Americans attempted to score quickly before their mounts were exhausted. Herr and Brown were the offensive stars of the Army squad with four goals apiece as the American officers ran away with a 10-3 decisive victory over the best of United Kingdom international polo.". Little Brown & Co Hardcover