Robert Kennedy signed letter to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Rare autograph letter signed "Bob," signed by RFK when he was a US Senator. Letter measures 8 x 10.5''. Written to "Bob" - Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, on lined paper. Kennedy wrote in blue ink. Pencil writing by McNamara: dated "5/30/67" in upper right hand corner, "Kennedy" next to RFK's signature, and, after the word "discussion" in the first line: "Mid-East & Gulf of / Aqaba / SVN - my 5/19/" Fine condition.

Letter reads, "Dear Bob, Many thanks for the discussion. You have carried the burden so well for so long. And for this we are all grateful – and I speak especially for my children and the others like them – Bob.”

On May 22, 1967, Egypt had announced the blockade of the Gulf of Aqaba, Israel’s southern outlet to the sea, to all Israeli ships. This action was the immediate cause of Israel’s preemptive attack on Egypt on June 5, 1967, the beginning of the Six Day War.

Making this letter more interesting is the fact that the discussion also concerned the Vietnam War. On April 24, 1967, American attacks on North Vietnam's airfields began. In May, air battles were raging in the skies over Hanoi and Haiphong. In late May, in the Central Highlands of South Viet Nam (“SVN”), American forces intercepted North Vietnamese Army units moving in from Cambodia.

From the Estate of Robert S. McNamara, JFK and LBJ’s Secretary of Defense from 1961-1968.