I think it’s quite a common description elsewhere if not in the States.


From an interview with a soldier present at D-Day:
Miller: Well, what was your rank and unit at that time, sir?
Mais: I was half-colonel.

http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/?file=dday_0057p1


From proceedings in the Daíl (Irish parliament):

Dr. Byrne: For the information of the Deputies over there a lieutenant colonel is a half colonel. This man must to a very large degree have been acting with the knowledge of his immediate superior officers.

http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie/D/0246/D.0246.197005210025.html


From an Oz book review:

his claim that van der Post pretended to be a lieutenant-colonel during the war when he was only a captain. When we finally come to the tortuous evidence for this damaging charge, it turns out he undoubtedly was made a half-colonel, even though the official record is confusing as to the date.

http://www.humancondition.info/Articles/BookerSirLaurens.html


From a Zild family tree record:

In 1886 Henry returns with the 3rd returns to Trichinopoly from Tounghoo and is made a half colonel 0n 9th June and 2IC of the 5th Madras Infantry which had arrived from from Rangoon at Berhampore on 21 February 1887.

http://www.baberfamilytree.org/People/henry_thomas_harris_baber.htm


Somewhere I’ve come across the description Brevet Colonel – does that mean ‘not formally ratified by high command’ or something? Or is it an alternative for ‘not a full bird’?