WWII US Army Air Forces Promotion Order 1943 1st Lt Saccio Marshall Signed

This certified true extract copy of **U.S. Army Air Forces Special Orders No. 266**, issued by the War Department in Washington on **23 September 1943**, documents the temporary promotion of **Second Lieutenant Archie Francis Saccio (Service No. 0492420)** to the rank of **First Lieutenant** in the Army of the United States (AUS). The order, marked **"RESTRICTED"** at the top, follows formal military protocol, bearing the typed authorization **"By order of the Secretary of War"** and signed by **Brigadier General H.B. Lewis**, Acting the Adjutant General. A handwritten certification by **1st Lieutenant Richard M. Hayford** of the Air Corps confirms the document's authenticity, while the inclusion of **General George C. Marshall's** name as Chief of Staff underscores its historical significance during World War II. The document exhibits characteristic **mid-20th-century military bureaucracy**, with its **typewritten text, formal hierarchical structure, and standardized abbreviations** (e.g., "AAF" for Army Air Forces, "AC" for Air Corps). The paper shows **age-related toning, creasing, and minor edge fraying**, with two **punched filing holes** at the top and subtle **scorching along the lower edge**, suggesting wartime handling. The **"RESTRICTED"** classification reflects the era’s operational secrecy, while the **presidential authority notation ("DP—By direction of the President")** ties it to broader command protocols. Collectors of **military ephemera, WWII documents, or Air Force memorabilia** will value this artifact for its **provenance, wartime context, and connection to General Marshall’s leadership**. The extract serves as a tangible record of **promotion practices, Army Air Forces administration, and the material culture of military paperwork** during a pivotal moment in U.S. history.