M1 Garand

The M1 Garand was the brain child of  John C. Garand.  As early as the turn of 20th century the US Army had the desire to  develop and arm it's soldiers with a semi-automatic battle riffle. All through the early part of the 20th century through World War I the US Army continued to search for a riffle that would meet their needs. In November of 1919 John C. Garand was appointed to Springfield Armory as a design engineer. Shortly after this design and construction of a acceptable semi-automatic rifle began in earnest. Work continued for the next 17 years on the development of the M1. Finally on January 9, 1936 the M1 Garand was adopted by the US army with the nomenclature: US Semiautomatic Rifle, Caliber .30, M1.  With the outbreak of hostilities some 3 year latter in Europe the stage was set for the M1 to take it's place in history. General George Patton herald the M1 as "... the greatest battle implement ever devised."  The M1Garand  was only manufactured by Springfield and Winchester during World War II.  

Parts of this summary are exerts from  "The M1 Garand: WWII" by Scott Duff.

 A Sgt of the 3rd Batt in Normandy on June 6 or 7th 1944 with his trusty M1 Garand