The battalion consisted of three medium tank companies usually a, b and c and one light tank company usually. Marine corps ground units mef, meu, meb, mab, division, regiment, group, battation, company vintage insignia, logo and patch. Despite its initial designation as a medium tank battalion, the 70th was organized as a light tank battalion and received only light. Performed almost daily missions attached to diverse units thereafter. My grandfather was a t5 of the 736th medium tank bn sp. This page is dedicated to members and families of veterans of the 781st tank battalion now deactivated from fort knox, ky. I am putting together a documentary honoring the soldiers involved this top secret project. Formed from 67th infantry medium tanks at fort meade, maryland, on 15 june 1940 under lt.
An m4 medium tank of the 707th tank battalion provides fire support for the 28th. The 736th, 739th and 740th tank bns were all initially experimental units the 736th and 740th w cdls the gizmos, and the 739th as mine exploders. The 756th tank battalion maintained an active association for over 20 years. This majorityblack military unit was known by the nickname black panthers in reference to the the panther patches they wore on their uniforms. The 746th tank battalion was an independent tank battalion that participated in the european. It took place in the ardennes forest in france, luxembourg and belgium and lasted from december 16, 1944 to january 25, 1945.
Debarked at le havre, france, on 11 november 1944 and moved to aachen, germany. In some black and white photos the marking appears as a wolf head on a simple white square. The 736th medium tank battalion special from its formation through secret battle training in desert training center and californiaarizona maneuver area, february 1943april 1944. The 739th tank battalion special was deployed with the ninth army on 24. These battalions were temporarily attached to infantry, armored, or airborne divisions according to need, though at least one battalion 745th tank battalion spent the entire war in europe attached to one division. I have a limited number of duplicate patches for sale at the us army patches store web site. Army 5th tank battalion military patch usmilitarypatch. The 70th independent tank battalion was retired after the war and lives on in the 70th tank battalion association. This made the 70th tank battalion the only tank battalion not assigned to an armored division. This auction is for two wwii armored forces patches. To my understanding the 701st, 736th, 738th, 739th, 740th, 748th tank battalions medium special, the 150th station hospital, the 554th ordnance heavy maintenance company. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The battle of the bulge, also known as the ardennes offensive, was germanys last great tank offensive in world war ii and the largest combat action in us military history. The infantrymen dismounted frequently to screen suspected high ground to the flanks, and the tank battalion s liaison plane patrolled the area well ahead of the column.
After action report, 736th tank battalion, 1 may31 may, 45. Tank co 32nd inf reg 7th id service or relationship. The 70th tank battalion was one of the most decorated tank units because of participation in eight campaigns. The royal australian battalion and company d, 89th medium tank battalion, led the column. I am putting together a documentary honoring the soldiers involved this topsecret project. Mar 09, 2011 supposed to change the course of the war, most of these were eventually left to rust where they bogged down later in france and the 736th was reorganized as a standard tank battalion. Tank battalion patches us army patches army unit patches and army regiment patches flying tigers surplus page 2. Please phone in your order so we can confirm stock availability and schedule a pickup time. The casualties suffered by a typical american infantry regiment serving in world war ii were horrendous. For example, by the end of january, 1945, the 47 th infantry regiment which fought in france and germany had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. Long before the superhero black panther made his debut on the silver. The original black panthers fought in the 761st tank battalion. The medium companies were usually attached, one to each regiment.
The 738th and 739th tank battalions mine exploder attached one company to each of. Because the 15th was known as the wolf pack, it had a wolfs head over an armored triangle as the battalion insignia. It is descended from the 758th tank battalion light that served in the italian campaign during world war ii. The 64th armor regiment is an armor regiment of the united states army, organized under the united states army regimental system. There were, however, no instances of the attachment of a separate tank battalion in an armored division. Im looking for information about the 738th medium tank battalion, particularly where they were stationed in the uk prior to going to europe. Battlefield commission prisoner of war killed in action oak leaf cluster posthumous go record for award not found yet. Blues in which he portrays a 3rd armored division tank crewman with little field duty but with.
Wwii amphibian tank and tractor historical association. An example of the closer look we can get from unit records is the case of captain. Apr 20, 20 reorganized in december 1943 as special battalion equipped with cdl spotlight tanks. On 7 december 1944, company a attached to 3d armored division, cleared roads during capture of obergeich. I have a limited number of duplicate patches for sale at the. On 12 october 1944, redesignated 738th medium tank battalion, special mine exploder.
Home world war ii operational documents after action report, 716th tank battalion, 9 jan 45 thru 8 feb 45, 18 mar 45 thru 8 feb 45. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. On 12 october, mission changed to operation of special equipment for breaching and clearing minefields. This ike jacket and dog tags belonged to sgt richard e.
Lt hardin the only remaining officer in the company assumed command. In 2010, the association turned in their book and photo collection and retired the battalion colors at the patton museum at fort knox, kentucky. Separate tank battalions were military formations used by the united states army during world. The battalion was attached to the 83rd division from 6 february 29 july 1945. May 09, 2018 personal comments page 1 79th medium tank battalion 25th infantry division us army korean war project almost three thousand units pages are available at the korean war project. The 6th armored division had three tank battalions. Also, the 736th is one of those separate tank bns that seems like every gi in it had the bn numbers added in to a blank armor forces patch at some point. Those with a link will take you to a battalion published history. Wwii amphibian tank and tractor historical association facebook. Arizona start planning your arizona vacation with the official state visitors guide available in print, electronically, or both. The 70th tank battalion was formed as an independent medium tank battalion on july 15th,1940 at fort meade, maryland. The 736th tank battalion crossed the rhine and elbe rivers in march and april, 1945. So i got hold of the official history of 739th medium tank battalion, special mine exploder by capt richard g schneider, and an after action report for the 739th s a company for the period december 1944 to february 1945. The 747th tank battalion was an independent tank battalion that participated in the european.
The most famous soldier in the 3rd armored division during the 1950s was elvis presley, assigned to company a, 1st medium tank battalion, 32d armor, combat command c at ray barracks in friedberg. Due to corona virus covid19 concerns, we will be open for curbside pickup. This raised area was used by tankers of the 754th to paint the tank moniker. Separate tank battalions were military formations used by the united states army during world war ii, especially in the european theater of operations. Knox, ky there was a 7th medium tank battalion combat command b 3rd armored division. After action report, 716th tank battalion, 9 jan 45 thru 8. The medium tank companies were equipped with m4 sherman tanks, while the light. Personal comments page 1 79th medium tank battalion 25th infantry division us army korean war project almost three thousand units pages are available at the korean war project. The need for attaching a tank battalion to an infantry division became apparent in normandy and policy to that effect was established. Identification symbol, no unit insignia authorized. Fill out the form to request your free travel packet, which includes an arizona official state visitors guide and an arizona state highway map.
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