(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 are personal belongings of Gara, including: dog tags bearing his name, id number, blood type, and the name and address of his next of kin; two First Engineer regimental ‘castle’ lapel pins, not marked; and his silver eagle Colonel insignia, maker marked on the reverse by ‘Meyer’ of New York, further marked ‘SHOLD-R-FORM’. All four pieces are held within a brown leather ‘Krementz’ jewelry case, 3.25 x 2.5 in. Some oxidation to all pieces, with the exception of the eagle which is in excellent condition. A fine opportunity to own personal relics from an American hero.