Description:

90TH INFANTRY DIVISION SECTION OF D-DAY CAPTURED GERMAN BUNKER
'OUR GUYS TOOK THIS BUNKER' A most evocative relic from the American D-Day landings at Utah Beach, a section of a German bunker taken by members of the 90th Infantry Division, signed by them exactly forty years later and dedicated to a friend killed by fire on that fateful day. It further appears that the signers were members of the 490th Port Battalion, an all-black unit. The section of bunker is composed of concrete reinforced with steel, 10.5 x 3.5 x 1.75 in. thick. A red, white and blue label is affixed to one side with gold lettering reading: '90TH INF. DIV'. The label is hand-marked: Utah Beach 6 June 1944 40 YEARS 'Our guys took this bunker' and is signed by four men, including 2nd Lt. John C. Collins. It is further inscribed: 'In memory of Sgt. Willie E. Collins'. Collins, probably related to the lieutenant, was an African-American born in Macon in 1922 and a member of 490th Port Battalion which was all black. His battalion cleared beach obstacles, prepared exits, and developed gun emplacements. He was killed by German artillery fire on June 6th.

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March 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
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$5,000 $9,999 $500
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