Commemorative Plaque
Donated to General Clare H. Armstrong
A solid bronze plaque, 77x66 mm, with the portrait of Brigadier General Clare H. Armstrong. It is dated 1951 and was designed and signed by the well known artist Henri Puvrez (1893-1971). Commemorative or anniversary gift presented to Brigadier General Clare Hibbs Armstrong by the metal printing company Sobemi in Lint, Belgium. Although SOBEMI (Société Belge d’Émaillerie et de Miroiterie) was primarily known for its enameling, bronze relief plaques such as this which were often produced for specific ceremonial purposes.
Inscription on the back: 'To Gen. Clare H. Armstrong - SOBEMI 1926-1951 - M.B.B.M. 1891-1951'
It is an honor to have this very rare plaque in my collection. In 2019 I became the caretaker of such a special piece of history. This copy once belonged to General Armstrong's family. These historical item tell the story of the gratitude shown by the Belgian people towards their Allied protector.
Note from the seller: 'I actually purchased the medal directly from Nancy Armstrong, she was General Clare H. Armstrong's daughter in law, married to Lieutenant Colonel Clare H. Armstrong Jr., General Armstrong's oldest son. Clare Jr. was a customer of mine for years. I own The Coin & Stamp Shop in Little Rock, Arkansas and he purchased stamps pertaining to Boy Scouts as he was big in the BOY SCOUTS. I purchased the stamp collection from Nancy after Clare Jr. died in 1993. She later brought to me a bag of medals which contained the two items you purchased from me.'
Sincerely, Louis
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Brigadier General Clare H. Armstrong
Brigadier General
Clare H. Armstrong
Brigadier General Clare H. Armstrong #0-5318
Clare Hibbs Armstrong was born on January 23, 1894, in Albert Lea, Minnesota as the son of DeWitt Clinton and Anna Emma, born Hibbs, Armstrong. His father, a prominent civic leader, served as president of a local bank, elder in the Presbyterian church, city councilman, and head of the Minnesota bankers' association. His mother, a founder of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, had studied music at the University of Edinburgh and came from Quaker stock, with her father, a Civil War veteran, having worked as a lawyer and banker. After high school, Clare H. Armstrong received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated on April 20, 1917, with Bachelor of Science degree, shortly after the United States entered World War I, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Infantry Branch.
Clare Hibbs Armstrong was married three times and had two sons and three daughters. His first marriage was to Mary Dennard Coombs (1894-1938) Bibb, Georgia, on May 1, 1917, when he was 23 years old. He married a second time to Mary Ethel Weber Harter (1897-1993) in 1939 when he was 45 years old.
Retired physically in 1953, Clare H. Armstrong nevertheless continued to hunt enthusiastically. He traveled as well, sometimes for fun and sometimes while consulting for US and Belgian firms. Gradually he shifted his base to Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands of Spain. There he met Catherine Hays Taylor (1896-1989), a widow from Ligonier, Pennsylvania. They married and joyfully shared fourteen active years, looking in each year on both sets of their descendants, on whatever continents.
Clare Hibbs Armstrong died on July 12, 1969, at the age of 75 in Hampton, Virginia, and was buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, New York.
Clare H. Armstrong played a crucial role in the history of Antwerp during World War II. From November 1944 to April 1945, he led the anti-aircraft defense against German V-bombs on the city and prevented most of the nearly 6,000 bombs fired at Antwerp from hitting their targets. No less than 97% of all flying V-1 bombs were shot down. Clare Armstrong became an honorary citizen of the city in 1946. Later, he was also honored with a bust in the town hall. A nice gesture, but above all a sign of respect.
Read about Clare Hibbs Armstrong's full Career here
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