RIA General Officer Model M15 .45 ACP
Serial Number GO609 - pictured with original belt, buckle, holster, mag
pouch, two spare wrapped magazines (numbered to the gun) and cleaning rod.
Charles D. Palmer, Major General (AUS RET.)
(January 5th, 1931 - January 7th, 2014)
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 4:10 PM
“I am sure there are those who feel it is presumptuous of
me to write my own obituary, but who better to chronicle my triumphs and
foibles? I struck my tent, stood my last retreat formation and listened to
Taps for the last time a few days ago (Jan. 7th) as a result of natural
causes (Jack Daniels, 3-star Asian food, garlic pizza and good cigars). I
have included the picture above because I could not get clearance to use the
one that did me the most justice (Clint Eastwood at the age of 45).
My earliest triumph was being born to my wonderful parents, Kitty and Vance
Palmer, on Jan. 5th 1931 in Sioux City, IA. They had to contend with my
foibles for the next 18 years. My next triumph started upon enlisting in the
US Navy Reserve on my 17th birthday, and continued through a 43-year career
of active and reserve military service, which culminated in my retirement
from the US Army Reserve as a Major General in 1991. My greatest triumph was
meeting Lyn, the love of my life and best friend, in Boston in 1953 and
marrying her in 1955. The 54 years that we had together, like good wine, did
get better with age.
The military career was coupled with a 33-year career with the Boeing
Company, which included highly gratifying assignments on the Bomarc,
Minuteman, Apollo Integration, 747, and Boeing Computer Services programs.
In both of these endeavors, I had the good fortune to be associated with
many good friends. A number of them have already passed beyond. When Charon
has ferried me to the other side of the River Styx, I’m sure they will be
waiting on the far shore with a double JD on the rocks.
Well, like all other good things, this too should come to an end. There will
be no services but those of you who are still on this shore of the River
Styx can gather together for a libation and swap a few remembrances, as
those of us on the other shore will be doing. As I read back through this I
find that not much time was spent on foibles. Hopefully they were minor and
did no great disservice to others.”
Chuck is survived by his Son, Steve Palmer; Daughter, Melinda (Gil)
Erickson; Grandchildren: Catherine, Michelle & Ruben; Cousin: Connie Post
and former Daughter-in-Law: Mona Zuill.
“In closing, I am reminded of a quote from Sir Winston
Churchill: I have taken more out of whiskey than whiskey has taken out of
me.”
- Charles D. Palmer
Major General Charles D. Palmer |
Born: 5 January 1931 |
|
|
1948 - 1952 |
|
Enlisted in U.S. Navy Reserve 5 January 1948. Called to active
duty in 1950. Discharged from USNR in 1952 |
1954 - 1958 |
|
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers in 1954, Regular
Army. Server as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and
Company Commander |
1958 - 1965 |
|
Transferred to US Army Reserve. Served in various command and
staff assignments. |
1966 |
|
Graduated U.S. Command and General Staff College |
1967 - 1970 |
|
Served as Commander Engineer Combat Battalion (amphibian equipment) |
1971 |
|
Graduated Army War College |
1972 - 1977 |
|
Served as Commander Corps Support Group and Commander Infantry
Training Brigade |
1978 - 1982 |
|
Promoted to Brigadier General in January 1978. Assigned
Commanding General, 124th Army Reserve Command |
1982 - 1984 |
|
Assigned Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff Research Development &
Acquisition, DA Staff |
1984 - 1986 |
|
Assigned Commanding General, 104th Training Division |
1991 |
|
Retired, Major General, 5 January 1991.
Awards |
|
|
|
Distinguished Service Medal |
Legion of Merit |
Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
|
|
|
Died: 7 January 2014 |
|
|
RIA General Officers Model Serial
Number GO609 - The M15 was manufactured from 1972 to 1982. The
frame and slide selected for the M15 were taken from unreworked arsenal
inventory 1911A1 stock. To remove the original 1911A1 markings from
the slide and frame, both had to be ground and polished. The thickness
of the frame is approx. .016" less than that of the 1911A1. The length
is the same. The slide is cut down and modified. The width is
.025" less than that of the 1911A1 and .75" shorter in length.
The lock, safety mechanism, hammer, grip
safety, mainspring housing and slide lock are made from standard 1911A1
parts.
These pistols were finished with a deep
blue finish on portions of the slide and frame. The safety, slide lock
and grip screws have a polished blue finish. The top of the slide has
a matte type finish.
Serial numbers were changed to "Serial
No. GO 609" type. The markings started with number G01 and went to
number GO1004. The engraving is filled with either a white compound or
mixed with a gold color. Most of the earlier guns have white, but it's
not known when the transition to gold occurred.
The placement of the serial number
created a problem for engineering with the fitting of the Herrett grips.
A jig to remove part of the top of the right grips to make the serial number
clearly visible. The grips are sharp checkered, oil finished walnut
with an Rock Island Arsenal emblem in the right grip.
Silver plaque in left grip is inscribed
to MG CHARLES D. PALMER
Sights are fixed National Match on the
rear for the first 300 pistols, after which the rear sight was cast and
purchased from a supplier. The front sight was manufactured at the
arsenal.
The front grip strap and arched
mainspring housing are grooved vertically and horizontally.
Chrome plated National Match aluminum
triggers with front grooves and an adjustment screw are standard.
Magazines are serial numbered to the gun
and a total of three were shipped with each pistol.
General Officer's Belt Buckle
Back of gold plated American Eagle
General Officers Belt Buckle
Size marking on General Officers Belt
Bucheimer Clark Holster for the M15
Bucheimer Clark Holster marked
Valencia, Calif. B16-74
Back of magazine pouch marked US
and numbered DSA100-69-C.0049
Original wrapped spare magazines each
numbered 609 to the gun.
Cleaning rod in original bag. |