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Up for sale is an authentic, original January 1947 post-WWII United States Army Officer Commission Certificate appointing Lewis Bedford Thornton to the rank of Major, Staff and Administrative, issued under the authority of President Harry S. Truman[cite: 23].
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE & APPOINTMENT OVERVIEW:• Formal presidential commission heading reads: \"THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / To all who shall see these presents, greeting\"[cite: 23].• Confers appointment upon Lewis Bedford Thornton as \"Major, Staff and Administrative in the Army of the United States\", effective from the seventh day of July 1946[cite: 23].• Commissioned under the provisions of Section 37 of the National Defense Act for a period of five years during the pleasure of the President of the United States[cite: 23].• Executed at the City of Washington on the 27th day of January 1947, in the 171st year of American Independence[cite: 23].• Official facsimile signatory: Major General Edward F. Witsell, The Adjutant General[cite: 23].• Form reference: \"W. D., A. G. O. FORM NO. 0650 C. / 15 OCTOBER 1946\"[cite: 23].
DOCUMENT DETAILS & CONDITION:• Face / Front: Printed with classic calligraphic script and gothic headers, featuring an embossed circular United States War Office seal at the lower left[cite: 23].• Reverse: Blank with natural paper aging and the reverse impression of the raised War Office seal[cite: 24].• Paper Stock: Heavy period parchment/bond paper stock[cite: 23, 24].• Condition: Displays genuine historic patina, age toning, and scattered foxing/spotting throughout, with minor edge softening and light margin creases consistent with vintage framed or stored documents[cite: 23, 24]. No structural tears across the central text or signatures[cite: 23].• A fantastic historical document for military insignia researchers, collectors of presidential officer commissions, and post-WWII administrative service ephemera.• Please inspect all high-resolution photos closely for exact cosmetic wear, typography, and paper preservation[cite: 23, 24].
SHIPPING:Packaged with care inside an archival acid-free poly sleeve with dual rigid cardboard backing inserts and shipped flat inside a crush-proof rigid mailer via USPS Ground Advantage with full tracking provided.
