Military leaders who carried "other than standard issue" sidearms?

[GRIZ22]

General Officers are allowed pretty much any uniform or weapon they want.

If I remember correctly the AR governing uniforms starts off saying "does not apply to General Officers". Don't know if it still says this but it pretty well let's a General wear whatever he wants as a uniform. General Officers in the Army are also issued their pistols and don't have to turn them in to an arms room. They're just "responsible" for securing it.

The days of guys like Patton 'designing his own uniform' (he did) are over.

Even if the AR I mentioned above is still in effect I agree. I remember seeing a letter to Army Times where some PFC noticed a photo of a General with his ribbons on his green shirt. That was not authorized at the time although it was later. Army Times responded quoting the AR I mentioned saying the General could wear whatever he wants.

 

[Checkman]

I've read that Ike carried a 1911 in a shoulder holster under his uniform jacket. In his autobiography Crusade in Europe he mentions carrying a 1911 when tooling around Algeria and Tunisia during the North African campaign. He wasn't flashy and preferred a low key image. Cocealed carry would have suited Ike.

He would practce frequently, partially as a stress reliever I would imagine. He is also reported to have been a pretty fair shot with both handguns and shotguns and supposedly owned a fair number of guns.

 

[tegemu]

Hermann Goering (spelling) had a revolver when he surrendered.

 

[Don357]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Mac Arthur carry a nickle or chrome Colt 1917 .45 acp??

 

[MTS Cop]

Goering was carrying a S&W Military and Police when he surrendered. It's currently on display at the West Point Museum.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

In Cuba, Teddy Roosevelt carried a Colt DA Navy .38 that was recovered from the blown up USS Maine.

ECS

 

[pete f]

Ike was quite the shotgunner, and was known to love hunting quail.

I help take care of an older man who has pics of him and Ike riding on the front bumper of some jeep in a couple of chairs rigged up, each with an A-5. My friend says it was common for hunting when it was hot to ride in the chairs while waiting and watching for the dogs to go on point.

As far a CINC's to have odd guns, rumors fly that "W" sleeps with a 1911 from gunsite or Cooper on the nightstand.

Of course, Nancy Reagan carried a little .32 for years, and spoke of it during her life in the Whitehouse.

Nixon the Quaker was known to have a pistol handy a lot. usually a S&W, but after getting a 1911a1 from Elvis, he kept that loaded in oval office.

 

[camper]

LTG Emerson, upon retirement from his last job as Commander, XVIII Airborne Corps wore those two 45s at his retirement ceremony. I seem to recall he gave one of them away that day as well.

 

[Glock4good]

I had read that at Corregidor MacArthur carried a colt model 1903 in 32ACP in his back pocket. Custer is supposed to have carried two nickel plated Webley British Bulldog revolvers in .450 caliber at the Little Big Horn. I visited the battle site this past summer. 207 spread out men would not have had a chance.

 

[Timthinker]

Glock4good, thanks for the confirmation about Mac's pistol during the seige of the Philippines. I also recall reports that he carried a small semi-auto to prevent himself and his family from falling into Japanese hands. By the way, welcome to THR.


Timthinker

 

[Glock4good]

Thank you. Nice to be here.

 

[strangelittleman]

Col. David Hackworth talked about carrying a .38spl revolver in his book,"Steel my soldiers' hearts." He also talked of carrying an m-79 blooper,while surveying the battle area from a helo, quite an unusual weapon for a battalion commander.
Timthinker, I had the opportunity to tour Corregidor back 1990, and remember the guide talking about MacArthur carrying a .32 pistol in order to keep from being taken alive. Even as late as 1990, the wonderful Fillippino people still had a great love for MacArthur!

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Oh why not--Saddam had some varriety of pocket Browning on him when found out in his 'spider' hole. Pres. Bush now has this weapon on his wall in the White House.

 

[Glock4good]

Well if Hillary gets in that will be melted down for sure. Tragic.