WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (1883-1959) 'Wild Bill', American brigadier general chosen by Roosevelt to head the O.S.S. (precursor to the C.I.A.). Donovan planted over 16,000 people behind enemy lines and developed elaborate plans to subvert Axis military operations. Important St. Mihiel battle map used by Donovan as commander of the U.S. 165th Regiment, originally the famous 69th New York Infantry 'Fighting Irish'. The regiment would distinguish itself at the Second Battle of the Marne, the Ourcq River during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Donovan himself would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in mid-October, 1918. The 30 x 42 in. French Army-issue map was printed August 13, 1918, one month before the start of the battle, and is heavily detailed showing German, French and American defenses including trenches, barbed wire, encampments, pill boxes, etc. One margin bears a period description: 'Map of Enemy Information for C.O. 1st Bn. in attack at St. Mihiel. Information roughly restituted from Airplane photos'. The map is further heavily annotated, including anticipated American lines on the first day, 'Hill dangerous go to left and right', 'Enemy line reported destroyed by shell fire', 'Good wire', and 'Minnies', indicating the location of trench mortars. The map is in a rather poor state, with multiple folds and tears thereat, some repaired with archival tape on the verso, some losses at fold junctions, and a 3 x 10.5 in. section at upper-left lost. This map, along with other maps and documents, were contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and offered elsewhere in this sale.