Maryland – -(AmmoLand.com)- Were it not for the military’s adoption of the AR15 as the M16, the gun designed by Eugene Stoner may have just been a footnote in American arms development. As is often the case, civilian interest in arms is driven by what the military is using. On July 4, 1960, when Air Force General Curtis LeMay attended a BBQ at a farm in Maryland owned by Dick Boutelle, President of Armalite Division, Fairchild Hiller Corporation, he unknowingly set in motion the steps necessary for the AR15 to become widely regarded as “America’s Rifle.”
LeMay was a seasoned veteran of World War II and still holds the distinction of being the youngest four-star general in American history, having earned the fourth star in 1951 at the age of 44. At the time of the BBQ in 1960, he was the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, making him one of the event’s most esteemed guests.
Like all good Independence Day celebrations, the BBQ attendees enjoyed some trigger time with a variety of firearms. Most notable among them was Colt Armalite AR15 Model 01, serial number 000106.
Watermelons were placed down range and General LeMay was given the opportunity to shoot this new rifle at the delicious targets out to, at least, 100 yards. After the general had destroyed the melons with ease, it was brought to his attention that there was one melon remaining.
When asked if the final target should be placed down range, LeMay declined. Instead, he offered an alternate plan: “Let’s eat the son of a bitch!”
To say that the general was pleased with the rifle’s performance would be an understatement. General LeMay knew that the military was looking for a new rifle to replace the heavy M1 Garand and M14 rifles, but without reducing firepower to the level of the M1 carbine.
After the target practice (and impromptu military trial) concluded, it became clear to the general that the Colt Armalite AR15 rifle may be just the gun they were looking for. As the men stood on the farm eating the final watermelon, talks turned to the possibility of a government contract. Because LeMay was so impressed with the rifle, he placed an order for 8,500 units to be delivered by Colt to the Air Force.
Of course, nothing involving the government is ever easy, quick, or efficient. As such, it would take a number of years before the rifles that LeMay ordered would actually be delivered. Issues related to powder charges in the cartridges, a lack of soldier training with the weapon, and the failure to issue cleaning tools with the gun gave it a rocky start.
Now, with the benefit of 59 years’ worth of hindsight, one can easily draw a (relatively) straight line from Air Force General Curtis LeMay’s watermelon shoot in 1960 to the M4 rifles currently fielded by countless American soldiers overseas, as well as the AR15 rifles in equally as many American homes.
Interesting gun collector tidbit: The rifle used in LeMay’s demonstration was sold by James D. Julia Auctions in September 2011 for $103,500 – shattering the pre-auction estimate of $40,000-$60,000.
About Logan Metesh
Logan Metesh is a historian with a focus on firearms history and development. He runs High Caliber History LLC and has more than a decade of experience working for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service, and the NRA Museums. His ability to present history and research in an engaging manner has made him a sought after consultant, writer, and museum professional. The ease with which he can recall obscure historical facts and figures makes him very good at Jeopardy!, but exceptionally bad at geometry.
The entire AR family of weapons, the Armalites, were the weapon of choice by the Irish Republican Army. The IRA chose the best weapon for the money.
That is why I own one.
A good 762 x 51 is much more powerful BUT, most engagements are 250M or less. We carried 720 rounds basic load of 556, 2 belts for the pig, a LAW and what ever frags they would give you. I wasn’t much more than a stick in weight only 130# at the time. I was glad I didn’t have to carry the pig too often (M-60) because it was heavy, the ammo was heavy and it drew fire as soon as you opened up with it. Most of our business was way under 200M and 556 does pretty well that… Read more »
Whether you like this weapons platform, hate it, or damn it with faint praise; it’s the .mil current go-to gun. It is also the go-to rifle/carbine of most police agencies. The prices for a good one have come down in recent years and there is still plenty of ammo available. Buy one if you have not already done so. Learn how to clean it and maintain it. Practice! Even if you prefer a .308 or 7.62X39 platform, it is good to have one of these little black rifles in your gun safe. And remember, the first rule of any gun… Read more »
It’s good to have high standards and all, but can we please stop fighting internally? Some of the shit people on here bitch about is fucking stupid. Every time it happens, the communists get one step closer to destroying our beloved country. United we stand, divided we fall.
Interestingly enough, I still enjoy shooting watermelons today. Often with an AR.
For Pete’s sake would someone look up Project Agile?!?
Just because you know a few oddball facts about an event doesnt make you an expert on the subject or a historical genius
If they didnt have watermelons they would have shot at beer bottles. And just as Mr. Stoners design impressed at the BBQ it would have done the same at any review.
I liked the story, I learned something and was entertained.
OMG!!!
Wow. I’m ashamed. Disgusted.
Your photo of the Vietnam soldier firing the m-16… Is an actor from an 80s Vietnam movie.
It’s good to see history tidbits like this article in Ammoland, so the newbies can learn something of how and why we are where we are with firearms. For the avid reader, I recommend the digital copy of John Ross’ 1994 novel, ‘Unintended Consequences’, which weaves the fictional storyline very nicely with actual firearm development & history as well as the (not-so-recent) history of firearms legislation and court cases. I say the digital copy because the hardcopy has been out of print for a while now… but still a heckuva read at 749 pages!
My dad served in nam. A lot of service men didn’t agree with the M-16 , bwea
ut after a week they all agree! It was a useful weapon.