PBA Galleries

Printed document on vellum, completed by hand. Patriotic steel-engraved vignettes at top and bottom. 50x40 cm (19¾x15¾"), U.S. War Office blue paper seal affixed at lower left. Tipped to stiff backing.

Signed as president, "Wm H. Taft" and countersigned by "HL Stimson" as Secretary of War. This document appoints Spanish-American War veteran Waldo E. Ayer as "Lieutenant-Colonel of Infantry"

Also included is a typed letter, signed, from Major General Henry P. McCain, who was a twice-great uncle to the late U. S. senator and presidential nominee John McCain, a politician whose public image rested heavily on his family's tradition of military service.  The letter, dated October 18, 1907, appoints Ayer as "Major of Infantry". One page, 8" x 10", matted. Major Ayer died three years later in 1916.