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. Lot of four war-date battle maps used by Donovan as commander of the U.S. 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. These maps are dated just days before the onset of the Second Battle of the Marne and show the regiment's preparations for the anticipated German attack. All of the maps are on toned tracing paper, 13 x 12 in. The first shows the location of several American companies of the Third Battalion in the area of Jonchery-sur-Suippes and showing fields of fire, ammo dumps, command centers, etc. A second map shows a larger area, from Chalons-sur-Marne to Soulanges and Dampierre-sur-Marne, with military resources at each town indicated in red. The third map (interior tears) shows 'Barrages' at 'C.R. Athenes' and 'P.A. Niger'. The fourth map is larger, 24 x 19 in., and appears to show trenches and forces from both sides in the area code named C.R. Athenes', at Jonchery-sur-Suippes. Heavy folds, with tears and some loss to the key at right. These maps, along with other maps and documents, were contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and offered elsewhere in this sale.