William H. Taft Signed Naval Appointment for Rear Admiral & Future Navy Cross Award Winner

A naval appointment signed by 27th U.S. President William H. Taft (1857-1930) as "Wm H Taft" at lower right. (A minor ink blot affects the "T" of "Taft.") Issued from Washington, D.C. on December 4, 1909. Partly handwritten and partly printed on a large piece of paper. Also co-signed by Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy Beekman Winthrop (1874-1940) as "Beekman Winthrop" at lower left. Docketed at lower left and bearing an embossed blue "Department of the Navy" seal. Expected wear including light toning as well as a few chips and wrinkles, else near fine. 16" x 19.75." Property of the Chrysler Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit Museum Acquisitions. Formerly a Gift of Mrs. Albert C. Dillingham (née Grace G. Gilmore.)

President William H. Taft conferred the rank of "Rear-Admiral in the Navy" upon Arthur Caldwell Dillingham (1848-1925), a career naval officer. The promotion became effective after December 4, 1909.

In part:

"Know Ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the Patriotism, Valour, Fidelity, and Abilities of Albert C. Dillingham I do appoint him a Rear-Admiral in the Navy, from the 4th day of December, 1909, in the service of the United States…"

Albert Caldwell Dillingham had graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1870; he would retire from the service in 1910 with the rank here appointed him by Taft. A Spanish-American War veteran, in 1904-1905, Dillingham famously protected the Dominican Republic against hostile creditors by erecting a defensive barricade around the city of Puerto Plata. The impetus behind Dillingham's actions would be articulated by President Teddy Roosevelt in the Roosevelt Corollary of the Monroe Doctrine. Dillingham was recalled from retirement and pressed into active duty during World War I. He was awarded the Navy Cross in recognition for his expert reorganization of a new Naval Operating Base at Hampton Roads, Virginia.

William H. Taft served as president between 1909 and 1913. Winthrop was actually Assistant Secretary of the Navy under the direction of Secretary of the Navy George Von Lengerke Meyer (1858-1918). Both Winthrop and Meyer served in their respective positions during the entirety of the Taft administration.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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