Colt Model M Collector's Information "U.S. PROPERTY" .32 ACP

Colt Model M .32 ACP serial number 561487 - Military Model M .32 ACP pistol, arsenal refinished finish, parkerized trigger, thumb safety and grip safety, with U.S. PROPERTY mark on right side of frame and ordnance mark punch dot on left front trigger guard bow. Pistol is documented as having been issued to General Ben Harrell and is pictured with its original holster.

Copy of original index card from Rock Island Arsenal documenting issue of "1 ea Pistol Auto Colt Cal.. .32" to Brigadier General Ben Harrell. Pistol was shipped on March 29, 1956 to the Chief, Information Branch, Career Management Division, Room IE-542, The Pentagon, Wash. 25, D.C.

Born, 15 March 1911 Oregon and admitted to the West Point class of 1933 from same state, Infantry. (Mother's Maiden Name: MCCLAIN)

1942-1945 G3 3d Infantry Division, G3 6 Corps, Commanding Officer 7 Infantry (23 Aug 44), G3 5Ar NATO & European Theater (ETO) (Silver Star - (2) Legion of Merit medals - 2 Bronze Star Medals-Commendation Ribbon)
Marne Division - The three white stripes represent the number of the division and the three major operations in which the division participated during World War I. The clear field of blue stands for loyalty, steadfastness and undying devotion to the principles of right and justice by the American soldier.

December 1949 - July 1951
Chief of Staff, 511 Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

1952 National War College

1952 Operations & Training Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Brussels, Belgium (SHAPE)

1956 Chief, Information Branch, Career Management Division, Careen Management Division, The Pentagon

June 1960-July 1961 Major General, Commander, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky
A HISTORY OF THE 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION (Air Assault)

15 February 1963 - 30 June 1965 Lieutenant General, Assistant Chief of Staff, Force Development, Department of the Army
Received Certificate of Ownership for Colt .32 pistol, sn 561487 in January 1965

1965-1967
Commanding General, Army Combat Development Command (Distinguished Service Medal - Combat Infantryman Badge)

July 1967 - July 1968 Commanding General, Sixth Army

1968-1971 Commander, Headquarters Allied Land Forces Central Europe (HALFSEE)

1971 Retired - General

26 July 1981 Died - Fort Ord - (Carmel, Monterey, CA)

December 1982 Obituary

Harrell, Ben 1911-1981. Listed in "Who's Who in the World," Second edition, 1974-1975. Wilmette, IL and "Marquis Who's Who," 1973.(WhoWor 2)

7th US Infantry Regiment, Regimental information, Campaigns:

Algeria-French Morocco in WWII

Tunisia in WWII

Sicily in WWII

Naples-Foggia in WWII

Anzio in WWII

Rome-Arno in WWII

Southern France in WWII

Rhineland in WWII

Ardennes-Alsace in WWII

Central Europe in WWII

Coltautos.com Recommended Reading from Amazon.com

Colt Model M "U.S. PROPERTY" .32 ACP Serial Number 561487 Issued to General Ben Harrell, USA

Colt Model M "U.S. PROPERTY" .32 ACP
Serial Number 561487
Issued to General Ben Harrell, USA