Estimate: $50,000 - $80,000
Auction: November 12, 2020 10:00:00 AM EDT
United States Navy-Issued Dress Sword of Chief Warrant Officer Jack Evans Cutcomb, used in the official memorial in the East Room of the White House for the thirty-day mourning period for President Kennedy, from November 24-December 23, 1963. Single-edged carbon steel blade sword, by E. & F. Horster Solingen, Germany; 35 in. (889 mm) (the whole, without scabbard). Elaborately etched with Naval themes and other decorative patterns; "Proved" enclosed within a six-pointed star, etched at base of blade (a requirement for all U.S. military swords, signifying that the blade meets the current military specifications); "Jack Evans Cutcomb" engraved above star; white shagreen grip, bound with brass wire, elaborately decorated brass handle, adorned with gold braid and braid-wrapped sword knot. Black scabbard with elaborate brass fittings and tip; the whole enclosed in a fitted bridle leather case.
After the assassination, the President was brought to the White House to lay in repose in the East Room for two days, from November 23-24, and a private Mass for the family was held during that time. On Sunday afternoon, his casket was moved to the Capitol Rotunda to lie in state, and ultimately to Arlington National Cemetery for burial. After the president's body was removed from the White House, an obelisk adorned with two crossed swords (Cutcomb's and another), beneath the presidential seal, was placed on the dais that previously held his catafalque and casket, and remained there for the thirty-day period of mourning. Cutcomb's son recalls him telling the story of how, in the wake of Kennedy's assassination, Cutcomb volunteered his sword before rushing to now-President Lyndon Baines Johnson's ranch to assist in setting up enhanced communications support.
During his thirty-year Naval career, Jack Evans Cutcomb held every enlisted rank, all the way up to being commissioned a Chief Warrant Officer at the highest level (W-4), and was awarded the Legion of Merit. Like many of his peers, he was inspired to serve his country after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, so he enlisted in the Navy, began his illustrious military career as a Yeoman, and quickly became known as an expert communicator. He served in The White House under three Presidents, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, and then under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Under Kennedy, CWO Cutcomb managed the Office of the Naval Aide to the President, and was frequently engaged in regular liaisons with high-level Naval and Marine Corps commanders. In his retirement remarks he said, "Only the Navy could have provided those opportunities to view the unfolding of history from a privileged position. I did. I'm grateful."