As one of the most beautiful women in the world, Marilyn Monroe was always a shot in the arm for the army when she made appearances during the Korean War. On one such occasion in 1954, Marilyn was not prepared for the ever-changing clime of Korea. Having realized she wasn’t properly prepared for the cold weather, she asked her military escort – Ollie Palmer to see if she could get some warmer clothes. Palmer arranged to have a flight jacket for her to borrow that would be returned as jackets were issued individually and had to be returned to the airbase following a soldier’s tour of duty.

Palmer’s roommate Hilda Benning, who was called “Bugs” agreed to let Marilyn borrow the jacket, but was insistent on having it be returned. Marilyn’s stay in Korea was only four days as it was part of her honeymoon with baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. This is the only note ever seen auctioned, that has a direct connection to her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio. Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were only married for a very short time, and this is an important piece relating to that timeline in February 1954. Monroe, true to her word, returned the jacket and wrote this offered handwritten note of appreciation. This note is of significance given that no other known inscribed note written in Marilyn’s hand, mentioning her wearing the famous bomber jacket is in existence.

The 3 1/2 x 5-inch handwritten Marilyn Monroe note reads: “Dear Bugs, Thanks for the loan of your jacket – I didn’t let it out of my sight the whole time – I couldn’t, (Ollie kept reminding me). It kept me soooo warm. Thanks” signed Marilyn Monroe. This note was written on a memo pad from the Hotel New Osaka and dated “Feb. 54”, also in Monroe’s hand. There is a newspaper clipping included with this handwritten letter that show Marilyn wearing the jacket referred to in the letter. This letter comes with a letter of provenance from Debbie Johnson, who is the niece of Hilda Benning “Bugs” and a LOA from Beckett Authentication for the signature.

Auction Notepad