GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER'S WORLD WAR I ASHTRAY

GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER'S WORLD WAR I ASHTRAY
FROM THE ESTATE OF GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER, COMMANDER OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE FIRST WAVE AT OMAHA BEACH Two-piece brass ashtray, 7 in. dia. x 1 in., bearing on the lip the names of crucial American battle sites from World War I, including 'Vera Cruz', 'Sedan', 'Cantigny', 'Soissons', 'St. Mihiel', and 'Meuse-Argonne'. Huebner had fought in many of these battles, as his 28th Infantry Regiment led the first American regimental assault at Cantigny through Soissons, Saint-Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne. The ashtray bears some oxidation to the perimeter and some staining and ash residue, commensurate with age and use. The brass ashtray rests upon a circular varnished wood base, 10 in. dia. x 1.25 in. height, which bears some very slight surface scratches, mentioned only for accuracy as they do not detract much from the piece itself. Very good condition. This piece was uniquely owned by CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888 - 1972), 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. This lot originates from a direct linear descendant, and will be accompanied by our letter of provenance.