GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER'S 1ST ARMY DIVISION SHOULDER PATCH

CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888-1972) American general who commanded the 1st Infantry Division, popularly known as the 'Big Red One'. He commanded the division during the D-Day landings 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 after the Allied breakout in Normandy, the division advanced rapidly, arriving at the German border in early October of 1944. It was then 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. A fine association item, Huebner's personal 1st Infantry Division shoulder patch, still in mint, apparently unused condition. It measures 3.75 x 2.5 in. This item originates directly from General Huebner's estate and is accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by a direct linear descendant.