Description:

FROM THE ESTATE OF GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER, COMMANDER OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE FIRST WAVE AT OMAHA BEACH Good pair of items presented to Huebner at the end of his career, in honor of his service with his first unit, the 18th Infantry Division, includes: a blue wool bunting guidon, 14 1/2" x 10", bearing a pair of crossed rifles in white fabric on both sides, topped with the numeral "18" and with the initial "I" below in white fabric, signifying company "I" of the U.S. Army's 18th Infantry Regiment. The flight edges are trimmed with a 2" white braided fringe, and a 55" wood shaft with a carved wood finial is inserted through the hoist. The shaft bears a small aluminum plaque, bearing the presentation inscription: "General Clarence R. Huebner From His Old Outfit Company 'I' 18th Infantry 10 August 1950", the year he retired from military service. The shaft is further fitted with a metal support rod stitched to the top of the guidon, although these stitches have come partially undone. The guidon shows some minor soiling, with some minor wear visible to the wood shaft, else very good. WITH: Steel-cased Zippo light, 2" x 1 1/4", with the lid engraved "Lt. Gen. C.R. Huebner" on the obverse, representing his post-World War II rank, and the body engraved "17 Jun 10 To 4 Dec 16" on the verso, representing his period of service with the 18th Infantry Regiment. The bottom of the case bears a script-style "Zippo" mark with "Pat. 2517191", indicating manufacture circa 1955-57. The case shows some scratches and wear overall, with some oxidation to the lighter mechanism, else very good. Two pieces. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888-1972) was the American general who took command of the 1st Infantry Division, popularly known as the "Big Red One", in early August of 1943. He commanded the division during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, where it was the first force to face the Germans on Omaha Beach, and he joined his men on the beach the same day. The division was instrumental in the breakthrough following the battle for St. Lo and in foiling the German counteroffensive at Mortain. After the Allied breakout in Normandy, the division advanced rapidly, arriving at the German border in early October of 1944, where it was committed to battle at Aachen, which it captured after two weeks of heavy fighting. After experiencing heavy fighting once again in the Huertgen Forest, the division briefly rested but soon returned to counter the German offensive at the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944. In January, 1945, Huebner was named commander of the V Corps, which he commanded in its advance to the Elbe river, where elements of the corps made the first contact with the Soviet Red Army. By war's end, the division had advanced into Czechoslovakia. Following the German surrender, Huebner served as the Chief of Staff for all American forces in Europe, and in 1949 was named the final military governor of the American occupation zone in Germany. These items originate directly from General Huebner's estate and is accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by a direct linear descendant.

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November 20, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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