Lot 623

OMAHA BEACH HERO COL. WILLIAM B. GARA’S SAM BROWNE BELT

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OMAHA BEACH HERO COL. WILLIAM B. GARA’S SAM BROWNE BELT

Estimate: $400 - $600

Starting Bid: $200

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 30, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

OMAHA BEACH HERO COL. WILLIAM B. GARA'S SAM BROWNE BELT
WILLIAM B. GARA (1917-2001) American Army Lieutenant Colonel, commander of the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. Gara was a genuine war hero by any definition. He led his 700 men from North Africa to Sicily, he landed among the very first soldiers on Omaha Beach, was heavily engaged at the Battle of the Bulge, and fought into Germany until the end of the war. His most valiant service was at Omaha Beach in the initial assault fighting while they cleared obstacles where the 1st Engineers were tasked with landing to allow more landing craft to safely arrive, and continuing to clear barbed wire, mines, anti-tank obstacles and ravines, etc. from the beaches to a point a few miles inland to clear the path for infantry, tanks, and then truck transports. Under intense enemy small arms and anti-tank fire, Gara's engineers, along with elements of the 37th Engineers Battalion, opened the first and most important exit from Omaha Beach, E-1, allowing American GIs to flank the German defenses and begin their drive inland. By war's end, Gara had received two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. Offered here is Gara's Sam Browne belt and cross strap, 39 x 2 in., constructed of brown leather with brass double-pronged buckle, hooks and loops. At the interior of one end is the maker mark for The Lilley-Ames Co. of Columbus, Ohio. The attached chrome sword chain is marked ‘France Rust Proof N.S. Meyer Inc.'. Included is another section of the leather leg protector which has become dislodged from the sword hanger due to deterioration of the cotton stitching which once secured it. Minor areas of patina to the hardware, else very good. Consigned directly to us by a linear descendant of this important Normandy assault hero, sold with our COA and provenance.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000