Sold – “JFK – Commander in Chief – Roman Catholic”

There won’t be a tag printed that way again for a long time

In the immediate wake of the assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy wanted to give personal mementos of her husband to those who were closest to him. Some of these would be articles he had owned (like his own presidential dog tags,) while some would be specially made as rewards for service (like golden cufflinks). In this letter she discusses what happened to those very dog tags, and provides details on the memorial cufflinks. She also notes presciently that it might be a long time before another Catholic would become president.

Autograph Letter Signed on White House letterhead, with words “White House Washington crossed out”, circa late November -early December 1963, to Maj. Gen. Chester “Ted” Clifton, senior military aide to Presidents Kennedy and then Johnson. Clifton was in almost constant touch with both the Kennedys during their time in the White House, and even after the assassination sought to assist Mrs. Kennedy any way he could. “This is the size cufflink I like. The design is perfect – JFK’s initials could be on back of the seal & the recipients on the other little knob. But the material is the big problem. It just does look fake – & so dark & depressing. Could we try it in silver dipped in gold? But that might be prohibitively expensive for 10-15 pairs, so you had better let me know what it would be before I go ahead. Also could you do me one other favor? I read your article on JFK & it was perfect. In it I learned that the dog tags in his bureau drawer the day he died were the ones given to him at Fort Bragg. I didn’t know what they were when I found them. It seemed so strange to see – JFK?Commander in Chief, Roman Catholic – on the little tag that I gave it to Cardinal Cushing, and one to his little cousin who came over from Ireland for the funeral. But could I have another set of them for the library. There won’t be a tag printed that way again for a long time. I am not sad I gave them away, as it meant so much to the people who have them. But I would love to have another set to keep.” This letter comes right from the Clifton files and has never been offered for sale.