44th Tank Battalion

The 2d Battalion, 44th Armored Regiment, 12th Armored Division, redesignated as 44th Tank Battalion, 12th Armored Division, on 11 November 1943. Departed States 22 March 1944, arrived New Guinea 7 May and attached to XI Corps. Company C attached 41st Infantry Division 1 June for combat duty, later to 6th Division, with which fought on New Guinea and Morotai. Remainder of battalion participated in landings on Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 20 October. Company A shunted among three divisions in a month. Companies B and D served mainly dismounted on outpost duty from 23 October to 30 November. Shifted to Luzon 11 January 1945, where rejoined by Company C, which had landed with 6th Division on S-day, 9 January. Entered Manila on 3 February. Company C engaged Japanese 2d Tank Division at San Jose in early February. Battalion fought in Southern Luzon through April as XIV Corps asset. Attachments: 6th, 24th, 32d, 41st, 43d Infantry divisions; 1st Cavalry Division; 11th Airborne Division.[i] 

70th Tank Battalion

First GHQ medium tank battalion in U.S. Army. Formed from 67th Infantry (medium tanks) at Fort Meade, Maryland, on 15 June 1940 under Lt. Col. Stephen G. Henry. Redesignated the 70th Tank Battalion (Medium) 15 July 1940, and as the 70th Light Tank Battalion 7 October 1941. Company C detached 15 February 1942, sent to Iceland; new Company C formed 19 May. Company A landed at Algiers 8 November 1942 as part of 39th ICT (infantry combat team, regimental), 1st Infantry Division. Landed in Sicily July 1943. Arrived England in November 1943, reequipped as standard tank battalion; former Company C reattached as Company D. Landed D-Day on Utah Beach supporting 4th Infantry Division. Companies A and B used amphibious DD Shermans. Joined drive on Cherbourg and breakout at St. Lo. Fought at St. Pois, Villedieu, and Mortain, and entered Paris. Spearheaded 4th Infantry Division's drive into Belgium, entered Germany on 13 September 1944. Moved to Hürtgen Forest in November, where the battalion experienced some of the worst fighting of the war. Moved to Ardennes with the 4th Infantry Division in December, fighting in Battle of the Bulge. Crossed Rhine near Worms 29 March 1945, pursued retreating German forces. With TF Rodwell stormed SS stronghold in Aalen on 21 April. Crossed Danube 25 April at Langen. Ended war near Austrian border at Gmund, Miesbach, and Holz. Attachments: 1st, 9th Infantry divisions (North Africa); XIX French Corps (North Africa); 1st Infantry Division (Sicily); 4th, 63d, 83d Infantry divisions, 101st Airborne Division (ETO).[ii]

191st Tank Battalion

     Organized 1 September 1940 out of four National Guard tank companies from New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Connecticut. Assembled at Fort Meade, Maryland, in February 1941 under Maj. Littleton A. Roberts. Reorganized as medium tank battalion June 1942. Sailed to North Africa but saw first combat in Italy, landing at Salerno on 9 September 1943. Landed at Anzio January 1944 and joined drive on Rome, during which battalion suffered high losses. Landed in southern France 15 August 1944. Usually attached to 45th Infantry Division, battalion battled north to the Vosges Mountains. Fought in Lorraine and Alsace in November 1944. Slashed through Homburg and Kaiserslautern to Rhine with TF Dolvin March 1945. Company B DD tanks led river crossing on 25 March. Battalion entered Bamberg, Nürnberg, and Munich, where it ended war. Attachments: 3d, 34th, 36th, 45th Infantry divisions (Italy); 36th, 42d, 45th, 70th, 79th, 103d Infantry divisions (ETO).[iii]

192d Tank Battalion

     Organized September 1940 out of four National Guard tank companies from Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. Arrived Luzon circa 25 November 1942. Fought delaying actions after Japanese invasion of Philippines in December, retreated to Bataan, surrendered with garrison 9 April 1943. Attachments: Provisional Tank Group.

193d Tank Battalion

     Organized 1 September 1940 out of four National Guard tank companies from Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Colorado. Inducted into active service 6 January 1941, all companies converged at Ft. Benning. Attached to 2d Armored Division for training. Moved to California in December and sailed on the 27th for the Philippines to reinforce 192 and 194th Tank battalions. Delivered to Hawaii when mission deemed impossible, arriving 7 January 1942, where companies attached to 24th and 25th Infantry divisions to defend Oahu. Participated with 27th Infantry Division in the assault on Makin and Tarawa islands in the Gilberts on 20 November 1943 partially equipped with amphibian tractors. Went ashore on Okinawa 8 April 1945. Attachments: 24th, 25th, 27th Infantry divisions.[iv]

194th Tank Battalion

     Organized September 1940 out of three National Guard tank companies from California, Minnesota, and Missouri. Arrived Luzon circa 26 September 1942. Fought delaying actions after Japanese invasion of Philippines in December, retreated to Bataan, surrendered with garrison 9 April 1943. Attachments: Provisional Tank Group.

534th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from the 534th Armored Infantry Battalion on 28 October 1943 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Lt. Col. Paul Bryer. Shipped from San Francisco, California, 8 February 1944, arrived Oahu 15 February, where assigned to 4th Armored Group for training with 27th Infantry Division. Departed 29 May, participated in assault on Saipan 15 June, Tinian 24 July. Departed for Oahu 11 August. Hipped out 20 May 1945, arrived Okinawa 14 July. Attachments: 27th Infantry Division; 4th Marine Division.[v]

536th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from the 536th Armored Infantry Battalion on 29 January 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Lt. Col. Russell Smith. Shipped from Seattle, Washington, 7 June 1944 arriving Oahu 15 February, where assigned to 4th Armored Group for training with 7th Infantry Division. Departed 11 September, participated in assault on Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October. Formed bulk of provisional amphibious force that landed 77th Infantry Division south of Ormoc on 7 December. Departed Leyte 25 March 1945, participated in landings on Okinawa 1 April. Attachments: 7th, 77th Infantry divisions.[vi]

539th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Activated on 14 April 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Maj. George Emrick and with personnel mainly drawn from tank and tank destroyer battalions. Shipped from Ft. Lawton, Washington, 16 October 1944 arriving Oahu 24 October, where assigned to 19th and in December 4th Armored Group for training. At some point, arrived at Leyte, Philippine Islands, but apparently saw no combat. Attachments: None.[vii]

540th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Activated on 14 April 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Capt. Robert Byrns. Shipped from Ft. Lawton, Washington, 26 October 1944 arriving Oahu 4 November. Departed Hawaii February 1945, eventually arriving Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 22 June. Saw no combat. Attachments: None.[viii]

658th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from the 658th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 15 April 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brownell. Shipped from San Francisco, California, 23 September 1944 arriving New Britain 28 October. Departed 7 December, participated in landings on Luzon, Philippine Islands, 9 January 1945 with 40th Infantry Division. Supported landings by 24th, 40th, and Americal divisions on other Philippine islands, including Mindanao, Negros, Panay, and Cebu, through April. Attachments: 24th, 40th, 41st Infantry, Americal divisions.[ix]

672d Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from the 672d Tank Destroyer Battalion on 15 April 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Lt. Col. J. W. Gibbs. Shipped from San Francisco, California, 22 September, arrived Bougainville 9 October, where attached to 37th Infantry Division. Landed on Luzon, the Philippines, on 9 January 1945. Company A attached 1st Cavalry Division 31 January. Reached Manila 5 February, where ferried troops in multiple river crossings under fire. Attached to 11th Airborne Division 20 February, participated in rescue of internees from Los Banos. Supported 1st Cavalry Division operations through June. Attachments: 37th Infantry Division; 1st Cavalry Division; 11th Airborne Division.[x]

701st Tank Battalion

     Activated 1 March 1943 at Camp Cambell, Kentucky, under Lt. Col. F. J. Simpson. Originally organized as special battalion equipped with CDL spotlight tanks. Landed in Liverpool on 1 May 1944 and shipped to France in August, where battalion stayed until reorganized as standard tank battalion after 23 October. Moved to front on 19 December 1944 in Ubach, Germany, attached to 102d Infantry Division. Joined the assault across Roer River on 23 February 1945. Attacked northward, reaching Rhine at Krefeld. Crossed Rhine beginning 26 March attached to the 75th Infantry Division. Reattached to 102d Infantry Division for drive through Munster and across Weser River. Ended the war in Gardelegen. Attachments: 75th, 84th, 102d Infantry divisions.[xi]

702d Tank Battalion

     Activated 1 March 1943 at Camp Cambell, Kentucky, under Maj. Ralph Talbott III. Transited England, debarked at Utah Beach 6 August 1944; confusingly, a 702d Tank Destroyer Battalion already deployed in same area. Attached to the 80th Infantry Division on 8 August, operated in Argentan-Bordeaux area during closure of Falaise Gap. Fought along Moselle River September and October 1944. Supported 80th Infantry Division offensive in vicinity of Metz November. Moved to Luxembourg City upon outbreak of Battle of the Bulge. Joined 80th Infantry Division attack across Our and Sauer rivers into Siegfried Line in February 1945. Briefly attached to 76th Infantry Division in late February and advanced toward Trier. Advance to Rhine in March with TF Onaway, then shifted to Luxembourg to rejoin 80th Infantry Division. Crossed Rhine near Mainz on 28 March. Advanced rapidly through Germany, including Kassel, Gotha, Erfurt, Jena, Weimar, Gera, Bamberg, Nürnberg, and Regensburg. Attachments: 76th, 80th Infantry divisions.[xii]

706th Tank Battalion

     Activated 10 September 1943 out of 3d Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 4th Armored Division at Camp Bowie, Texas, under Lt. Col. Charles Stokes. Attached to 4th Armored Division for training. Underwent amphibious training in Texas with 77th Infantry Division in November and December. Sailed from Seattle 28 March 1944, arrived Hawaii 3 April, where underwent jungle training. Moved to Guam 25 July, where Company D supported Marines; helped 77th Division crush last resistance beginning 8 August. Disembarked at Leyte 23 November. Elements moved by water to Ormoc Bay 20 December in vicinity Valencia. Majority of battalion landed on Ie Shima, Ryukyus, 18 April 1945. Moved to Okinawa 25 April. Attachments: 77th Infantry Division.[xiii]

707th Tank Battalion

     Activated 20 September 1943 out of 3d Battalion, 81st Armored Regiment, 5th Armored Division at Pine Camp, New York, under Lt. Col. Richard W. Ripple. Landed in France 1 September 1944. Committed to battle near Krinkelt, Germany, 10 October 1944 attached to 28th Infantry Division. Participated in 28th Infantry Division's disastrous attack on Schmidt in November, during which Company A was destroyed. Withdrew to Luxembourg 20 November for intensive rehabilitation. On 16 December, battalion found itself in path of the German Ardennes offensive and shattered. Company C put into defensive positions on Meuse River on 1 January 1945 attached to 17th Airborne Division, battalion then moved to Belgium. Battalion deployed to Germany in April near Seebachin attached to the 89th Infantry Division. Last action at Neu Wursohnitz on 6 May. Attachments: 28th, 65th, 76th, 89th Infantry divisions, 17th Airborne Division.[xiv]

708th Amphibian Tank Battalion

     Activated as 708th Tank Battalion on 20 September 1943 from 3d Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 6th Armored Division under command of Lt. Col. J. T. Mozley. Redesignated 708th Amphibian Tank Battalion 27 October 1943. Landed at Kwajalein beginning 31 January 1944, Saipan on 15 June. Company D shifted to Tinian 25-27 July. Assaulted small islands off Okinawa beginning 26 March 1945. Attachments: 7th, 77th Infantry divisions, 4th Marine Division.[xv]

709th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 September 1943 from 3d Battalion, 40th Armored Regiment, 7th Armored Division under command of Lt. Col. Odis L. Harmon. Landed at Liverpool, England, 11 March 1944. Debarked at Utah Beach 10 July 1944. Attached to 8th Infantry Division, fought in Normandy during breakout and into Brittany. Much of battalion joined 83d Infantry Division in fighting at St. Malo, Dinard, and Brest. Performed “occupation” duty in Luxembourg in October and November 1944. Entered Hürtgen Forest on 19 November. On 12 December, 709th was attached to 78th Infantry Division for attack near the Kesternich-Simmarath Ridge. Participated in fighting in Colmar Pocket in February 1945. Joined race to Rhine in March. Crossed river on 3 April and fought in Ruhr industrial region. Entered military government status in late April 1945. Attachments: 2d, 8th, 28th, 29th, 75th, 78th, 83d, 95th Infantry divisions.[xvi]

710th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 23 September 1943 from 3d Battalion, 80th Armored Regiment, 8th Armored Division. Shipped from States 11 June 1944, arrived Hawaii 22 June. Landed on Angaur Island, Palau Group, on 17 September 1944 attached to 81st Infantry Division; elements moved to Peleliu Island on 22 September. Moved to New Caledonia in December, shipped to Leyte in May 1945 but saw no action. Attachments: 81st Infantry Division.[xvii]

711th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 9 October 1943 from 3d Battalion, 14th Armored Regiment, 9th Armored Division, at Camp Ibis, California, under the command of Lt. Col. Robert Collins. Shipped from States 22 March 1944, arrived Hawaii 27 March. Departed 27 December for Leyte, landed on Okinawa 1 April 1945. Attachments: 7th, 27th Infantry divisions.[xviii]

[A]712th Tank Battalio

     Activated on 20 September 1943 at Camp Gordon, Georgia, out of 3d Battalion, 11th Armored Regiment, 10th Armored Division, Maj. William E. Eckles commanding. Landed in France 29 and 30 June 1944. Battalion less Company A committed 2 July near St. Jore attached to 90th Infantry Division; Company A attached to 82d Airborne Division. After breakout, battalion crossed Seine near Mayenne. Joined drive on Le Mans and closing of Falaise Pocket in August 1944. On 8 September near Landres, France, battalion had rare encounter with large German armored force (thirty-five tanks) and destroyed about half. Advanced to the Moselle near Metz in mid-September. Participated in fight for Maizières-les-Metz in October and in Metz offensive in November. Deployed to Rippweiler, Luxembourg, on 7 January 1945 to join fighting around the Bulge. Battalion CO Lt. Col. George B. Randolph KIA 9 January. Reentered Germany in February in 90th Division and SHAEF reserve. Engaged in elimination of German forces west of Rhine in March, crossing Moselle River yet again. Advanced through series of small German towns in April, ending up at border with Czechoslovakia. Entered the Sudetenland in May 1945. Attachments: 90th Infantry Division, 82d Airborne Division.[xix]

713th Tank Battalion, Armored Flamethrower

     Activated 23 September 1943 at Camp Barkeley, Texas, out of 3d Battalion, 42d Armored Regiment, 11th Armored Division under Lt. Col. Thomas McCrary. Arrived in California in May 1944 for amphibious training, shipped to Hawaii in September. Reorganized as the 713th Armored Flamethrower Provisional, on 11 January 1945. Arrived Okinawa 7 April. Attachments: 7th, 27th, 77th, 96th Infantry divisions; 1st, 6th Marine divisions.[xx]

715th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from 715th Tank Battalion on 27 October 1943 at Ft. Ord, California. Shipped from San Francisco, California, for Oahu 5 January 1944. Participated in landings on Saipan 15 June, Tinian 24 July. Landed elements of 77th Infantry Division on small islands around Okinawa, Ryukyus Islands, from late March into April 1945. Attachments: 77th Infantry Division; 2d, 4th Marine divisions.[xxi]

716th Tank Battalion

     Activated 20 September 1943 at Chaffee, Arkansas, out of 3d Battalion, 48th Armored Regiment, 14th Armored Division. Arrived New Guinea 3 July 1944; shipped out in November, companies split between 6th and 43d Infantry divisions for Luzon operations. Landed on S-day, 9 January 1945. Fought on central plain, in Manila, and in and Cagayan valley. Participated in capture of Cebu, Negros, and Panay islands from March through May 1945. Company A landed on Mindanao on 10 March, joined later by rest of battalion. Attachments: 6th, 24th, 25th, 31st, 32d, 37th, 38th, 40th, 41st, 43d, Americal Infantry divisions.[xxii]

717th Tank Battalion

     Activated 10 September 1943 at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, out of 16th Armored Division under Lt. Col. Raymond W. Odor. Assigned to Armored Board, Fort Knox, Kentucky, testing new equipment, including M26 Pershing. Sailed for Europe 26 December 1944 and landed in France February 1945. Fired first shot 24 March at Rhine River, attached to 79th Infantry Division. After crossing Rhine, participated in operations in Ruhr Valley during April, including assault on Essen in support of 17th Airborne Division. Ended the war in Bottrop, Germany. Attachments: 75th, 79th Infantry divisions, 17th Airborne Division.[xxiii]

718th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from 718th Tank Battalion on 15 April 1944 under the command of Lt. Col. John Behrns. Participated in assault landing at Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October 1944, amphibious operations around Leyte and neighboring islands through February 1945. Landed on Okinawa, Ryukyus Islands, 1 April 1945. Attachments: 7th, 77th Infantry divisions.[xxiv]

726th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Activated on 26 January 1944 at Ft. Ord, California. Shipped from Ft. Lawton, Washington, 8 June, arrived Oahu, Hawaii, 14 June. Departed 8 August, conducted final training on Guadalcanal, and participated in assault on Angaur, Palau Islands, on 17 September. Company A carried 323d Infantry Regiment to Ulithi Island 20 September, other elements supported Army and Marine forces on Peleliu beginning 23 September, where attached to 8th Amphibian Tractor Group (Marines). Departed 17 April, landed elements of 8th Marines on small islands off Okinawa beginning 3 June. Attachments: 81st Infantry Division; 1st, 2d Marine divisions.[xxv]

727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Activated on 26 January 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Maj. Frank McLavy. Shipped from San Francisco, California, 16 June, arrived Hollandia 16 July, where assigned to Sixth Army. Assigned Eighth Army 12 October, participated in Landings on Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October. Landed on Luzon 9 January 1945. Shipped to Morotai 27 March, where attached to 1st Australian Corps. Conducted assault landings in Brunei Bay 10 June, on Borneo 15 June. Attachments: 6th, 24th, 32d Infantry divisions; 9th Australian Division.[xxvi]

728th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Converted from 728th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 14 April 1944 at Camp Forrest, Tennassee. Trained at Ft. Ord, California, April-July, shipped from Ft. Lawton, Washington 6 August, and arrived Oahu 14 August. Participated in assault landings on Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October, Okinawa, Ryukyus Islands, 1 April 1945, and Tsugen Jima and other small islands beginning 10 April. Attachments: 7th, 27th, 96th Infantry divisions.[xxvii]

735th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 10 January 1943 at Fort Lewis, Washington, under Lt. Col. Ralph Alexander, commanding. Committed on 15 July 1944 in Normandy near Sallen. After breakout, fought at Angers, Chartres, and Reims. Crossed the Moselle in early September and became embroiled in fighting around Metz. Joined fruitless assault on Fort Driant in October 1944. In November, supported 5th Infantry Division's drive into Metz and reduction of forts still holding out. Relieved elements of 778th Tank Battalion in Saarlautern east of Saar River On 17 December. Deployed northward to join fighting in Ardennes beginning 21 December. Remained in Luxembourg until February 1945, during which month the battalion conducted limited offensive operations against Siegfried Line with the 87th Infantry Division. Reached Rhine near Koblenz 13 March and crossed 25 March on rafts as part of the 87th Infantry Division assault. Dash across Germany, reaching Saale River on 13 April. Crossed the Weisse Elster near Brockav on 16 April and went onto defensive. Attachments: 5th, 26th, 35th, 76th, 87th, 95th Infantry divisions.[xxviii]

736th Tank Battalion

     Activated 1 February 1943 at Camp Rucker, Alabama, Maj. William H. Dodge, commanding. Organized as special battalion equipped with top secret CDL spotlight tanks. Arrived in the United Kingdom on 1 April 1944 and Utah Beach in August. Reorganized as standard tank battalion November and attached to 94th Infantry Division in St. Nazaire-Lorient sector. Again selected for special equipment—DD tanks to be used for crossing of the Rhine—to which one company was devoted. Moved to front on 26 January 1945 and joined attack on Kesternich. Reached Rhine March with 83d Infantry Division. Company C DD tanks supported Rhine crossing. Reached Elbe River at Barby on 13 April. Contacted Russian forces 4 May 1945. Attachments: 30th, 78th, 83d Infantry divisions.[xxix]

737th Tank Battalion

     Activated 1 February 1943 at Fort Lewis, Washington, with Col. S. L. Buracker, commanding. Arrived in England 12 February 1944. Debarked at Omaha Beach 12 July and attached to 35th Infantry Division. While with that division, fought at St. Lo, Mortain, and Le Mans. First tank battalion of Third Army to cross Moselle and Meurthe rivers. Entered Germany east of Sarreguemines on 15 December 1944. On 22 December, redeployed to the Ardennes and joined 5th Infantry Division. Supported division's crossing of Sauer River January 1945 and drive through Siegfried Line to Bitburg in February. Drove along Moselle to the Rhine and then south as part of envelopment of German forces in March. Crossed Rhine 25 March near Russelheim, raced to Frankfurt am Main. Turned north toward Ruhr Pocket in April, then conducted 520-mile road march to return to the Third Army, reaching Bavaria on 1 May. Entered Czechoslovakia south of Winterberg on 3 May 1945. Attachments: 5th, 35th, 76th Infantry divisions.[xxx]

738th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 16 February 1943 at Fort Benning, Georgia, under command of Lt. Col. Raymond W. Odor. Reorganized on 19 November 1943 as special battalion equipped with top secret CDL spotlight tanks. Arrived in England April 1944. In September, mission changed to operation of special equipment for breaching and clearing minefields. On 12 October 1944, redesignated 738th Medium Tank Battalion, Special (Mine Exploder). Debarked at Le Havre, France, on 11 November 1944 and moved to Aachen, Germany. On 7 December 1944, Company A attached to 3d Armored Division, cleared roads during capture of Obergeich. Performed almost daily missions attached to diverse units thereafter. Attachments: 78th Infantry Division, 3d Armored Division.[xxxi]

739th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 1 March 1943 at Fort Lewis, Washington, under command of Maj. Bethuel M. Kitchen. Reorganized in December 1944 as special battalion equipped with CDL spotlight tanks. Arrived in England August 1944. On 12 October, mission changed to operation of special equipment for breaching and clearing minefields; battalion redesignated 739th Medium Tank Battalion, Special (Mine Exploder). One company obtained flamethrower tanks—probably British Crocodiles supplied for evaluation. Departed for Netherlands on 28 November 1944. On 18 December, one platoon of Company C detonated mines near Suggerath. Beginning in January 1945, mine-clearing elements performed almost daily missions attached to diverse units. Flamethrower platoon first used in Jülich, Germany, on 7 February. In late February, battalion supplied tank drivers to operate LVTs used to ferry personnel and equipment across Roer River during assault. In March, one company detached for training in use of DD tanks. Company B deployed CDLs on 23 March during Rhine crossing. CDL tanks used again twice in April, once in failed effort to capture bridges near Henrichenburg and again to illuminate bridge construction across Dortmund-Ems Canal and Lippe River. Attachments: 29th, 78th, 102d Infantry divisions.[xxxii]

740th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 1 March 1943 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, under command of Maj. Harry C. Anderson. Reorganized 10 September 1943 as special battalion to be issued CDL spotlight tanks, but never received equipment despite considerable special training. Arrived in Belgium November 1944 with no tanks but with order to convert to standard tank battalion. Clashed with Peiper’s spearhead in December 1944 in first action. Attached to 82d Airborne Division in January 1945, attacked north side of the Bulge. Assaulted Siegfried Line in February. Crossed the Ruhr with 8th Infantry Division on 24 March and joined drive on Cologne. After reaching the Rhine, transferred 350 miles south and attached to 63d Infantry Division for another attack through Siegfried Line toward Saarbrucken. Returned to 8th Infantry Division to hammer at Ruhr Pocket in April 1945, after which took on occupation duties in Düsseldorf. Attachments: 8th, 30th, 63d, 70th, 86th, 106th Infantry divisions, 82d Airborne Division.[xxxiii]

741st Tank Battalion

     Activated on 15 March 1942 at Fort Meade, Maryland, under command of Lt. Col. Jacob R. Moon. Two companies equipped with DD tanks, and battalion formed part of assault wave at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 attached to 1st Infantry Division. Reattached to 2d Infantry Division in Normandy and participated in breakthrough at Vire River in July and August. Reached Paris 27 August. Advanced through France and Belgium, reaching Siegfried Line on 13 September. Attacked toward Roer River with 2d Infantry Division on 13 December 1944, turned south at outbreak of German Ardennes Offensive. Supported 2d Infantry Division push to eliminate Bulge and drive into Germany in January and February 1945. Crossed Rhine at Remagen in March, reached Weser River on 5 April. Entered Leipzig 19 April and Czechoslovakia 5 May near Pilsen. Attachments: 1st, 2d, 99th Infantry divisions.[xxxiv]

743d Tank Battalion

     Activated as a light tank battalion on 16 May 1942 at Fort Lewis, Washington, under command of Maj. John Upham. Redesignated as medium tank battalion on 19 August 1942. Arrived in England November 1943. Two companies equipped with DD tanks, and battalion formed part of the assault wave at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 attached to 1st Infantry Division. On 14 June, attached to 30th Infantry Division, with which battalion fought for rest of war. Participated in St. Lo Breakout in July and Battle of Mortain in August 1944. Entered Belgium on 3 September 1944. Company A supported capture of Fort Eben Emael on 10 September. Supported operations against Siegfried Line in October and attack to Roer River beginning 16 November 1944. Shifted to Ardennes on 17 December, fighting in Malmedy, Stavelot, and Stoumont. Took part in attack on Bulge from the north in January 1945. Shifted back to Aachen area in February and supported Roer River crossing. On 24 March, with one DD-equipped company of 736th Tank Battalion attached, crossed the Rhine near Spellen. Raced across Germany, entering Magdeburg (the last major city on autobahn to Berlin) on 16 April 1945. Ended war there. Attachments: 1st, 29th, 30th Infantry divisions.[xxxv]

744th Light Tank Battalion

     Activated on 27 April 1942 at Camp Bowie, Texas, under command of Maj. Richard J. Hunt. Arrived in England 9 January 1944. Debarked at Utah Beach on 29 June 1944. First combat on 26 July near St. Germain in support of 2d Infantry Division. After breakout, attached to 28th Infantry Division for drive to the Seine. On 19 September 1944, moved to Netherlands where it supported 113th Cavalry Group and Belgian Brigade for two months. Moved to Frelenberg, Germany, in November 1944 and joined attacks on fortifications near Suggerath, after which entered Corps reserve. Crossed the Roer with 30th Infantry Division on 24 February 1945, fighting through Hambach Forest. Crossed Rhine on 23 March and fought in Ruhr area with 75th Infantry Division. Took up occupation in Olpe. Attachments: 2d, 28th, 29th, 30th, 75th, 79th, 102d Infantry divisions.[xxxvi]

745th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 15 August 1942 at Camp Bowie, Texas, under command of Maj. Thomas B. Burns. Formed part of the assault echelon at Omaha Beach on D-Day, landing its first company on 6 June 1944 in support of 1st Infantry Division. Fought in St. Lo breakout and envelopment of Falaise Pocket. Raced east in wake of 3d Armored Division. Supported 1st Infantry Division near and in Aachen in September 1944 and attack toward Roer River beginning 16 November. Ordered south with 1st Infantry Division on 16 December to help stop Ardennes offensive, continued to support division against Bulge and Siegfried Line through February 1945. Participated in assault across Roer River on 25 February. Reached Rhine at Bonn on 11 March. Crossed Rhine into Remagen bridgehead. Took part in Ruhr Pocket envelopment in April. Crossed Weser River and advanced into Harz Mountains and then to the Czechoslovakian border, where further movement eastward was halted on 7 May 1945. Attachments: 1st, 9th Infantry divisions.[xxxvii]

746th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 August 1942 at Camp Rucker, Alabama, under command of Maj. Loveaire A. Hedges. Shipped to England January 1944. Formed part of the assault echelon at Utah Beach on D-Day, landing on 6 June 1944 in support of 82d Airborne Division and 4th Infantry Division. Participated in capture of Cherbourg and the defense of Carentan. Supported 9th Infantry Division breakthrough near Villedieu-les-Poeles in August 1944 and race across France to the Belgian border. Fought in Hürtgen Forest September and October. Transferred to Belgium and supported attack toward Roer River in November. Attacked again toward Roer River in January 1945. Advanced to Rhine in March crossing Remagen bridge (first separate tank battalion to cross the river). Advanced to Ruhr Pocket in April 1945. Shifted east to Harz Mountains, ending war along Mulde River. Attachments: 9th, 83d, 90th Infantry divisions, 82d Airborne Division.[xxxviii]

747th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 10 November 1942 at Camp Bowie, Texas, under command of Maj. Sidney G. Brown Jr. Shipped to England February 1944. Landed at Omaha Beach on 7 June 1944 and joined 29th Infantry Division. Aided in closing Falaise Pocket in August. Attacked toward Brussels and then Bastogne in September, entering Germany near Sevenig. Supported 29th Infantry Division's attack toward Roer River in November. Mopped up, fired across river December 1944 and January 1945. Supported assault across the Roer on 23 February. In March, trained to operate LVTs. On 24 March, battalion LVTs attached to 30th Infantry Division participated in Rhine assault crossing. One company conducted brief operations against Ruhr Pocket in April, after which battalion took on military government duties, ending war in Schnega. Attachments: 1st, 2d, 4th, 28th, 29th, 75th Infantry divisions.[xxxix]

748th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 August 1942 at Camp Rucker, Alabama. On 20 April 1943, reorganized as a special battalion equipped with CDL spotlight tanks. Shipped to Wales April 1944 and disembarked at Utah Beach on 24 August. Reorganized as standard tank battalion after 23 October. Moved to front on 20 January 1945 near Buschdorf, Germany, attached to 94th Infantry Division. Fought through West Wall defenses in February. Trained with DD and CDL tanks 1–15 March. Moved to Saarlautern area to support 65th Infantry Division operations against Siegfried Line defenses. Withdrawn again on 20 March to draw DD tanks, attached to 5th Infantry Division near Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Long road marches damaged many DDs, but a few crossed the Rhine on 23 March 1945. CDL tanks deployed to support bridging operations. Turned in all special tanks by mid-April 1945. Advanced with 65th Infantry Division to Danube at Gundelhausen. Entered Regensburg on 27 April. In early May, took Passau and entered Austria, ending war near Linz. Attachments: 5th, 65th, 89th, 94th Infantry divisions.[xl]

749th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 2 December 1942 at Camp Bowie, Texas, under command of Maj. Donald Donaldson. Debarked at Utah Beach from England on 29 June 1944 and joined 79th Infantry Division. In August, raced across France, passing through Laval to Le Mans; 79th Infantry Division was first American division to cross the Seine. Entered Belgium on 2 September, fighting near Neufchateau and vicinity of the Foret de Parroy. Months of grinding fighting against prepared defenses followed in drive to Saar River near Sarreguemines. Battled German Nordwind offensive in January 1945. On 13 March, attached to 71st Infantry Division for Seventh Army offensive through Siegfried Line to the Rhine. Crossed Rhine on 30 March at Mainz. Crossed the Weisse River on 13 April near Zeitz and went into defensive posture near Limbach until V-E Day. Attachments: 42d, 44th, 63d, 65th, 70th, 71st, 76th, 79th, 83d, 100th Infantry divisions.[xli]

750th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 1 January 1943 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Served as tank test unit. On 8 July, newly arrived CO Lt. Col. Sidney T. Telfords unofficially christened battalion the “Seven-five-zero,” a name that stuck. Sailed to England and then to Omaha Beach in September 1944. Attached to the 104th Infantry Division near Aachen, Germany, in October 1944. First real combat on 16 November in operations against Siegfried Line; spent next month pushing toward Roer River. Participated in counterattack against Bulge December 1944 and January 1945. Supported crossing of Roer River on 23 February. Reached Cologne on Rhine River on 5 March. Crossed into Remagen bridgehead and swung north toward Ruhr Pocket in he wake of 3d Armored Division. Crossed Weser River and reached Halle in April. Encountered Russian forces on Mulde River after 21 April 1945. Attachments: 75th, 99th, 104th Infantry divisions.[xlii]

751st Tank Battalion

     Designated for activation as 71st Tank Battalion (M) 25 April 1941, activated as 751st Tank Battalion (M) 1 June 1941 at Ft. Benning, Georgia, under the command of Lt. Col. Fay Ross. Arrived UK 20 August 1942. Arrived Tunisia 17 January 1943, entered battle near Sbiba 15 March. Landed with assault force at Salerno, Italy, 9 September. Reorganized as standard tank battalion December 1943. Landed at Anzio 22 January 1944. Participated in breakout and advance on Rome in June. Held defensive positions over the winter, fought in the Po valley offensive in April and May 1945. Attachments: 9th, 34th Infantry divisions (North Africa); 3d, 34th, 36th, 45th, 85th, 92d Infantry divisions, 10th Mountain Division, 1st (Brazilian) Infantry Division (Italy).[xliii]

752d Tank Battalion

     Activated 1 June 1941 at Fort Lewis, Washington, under the command of Lt. Col. G. H. Anderson. Arrived UK 17 August 1942, Oran, Algeria, 17 January 1943. Inactivated under mistaken reading of orders 15 March, converted to 2642d Armored Force Replacement Battalion, reactivated 16 September. Arrived Italy 12 January 1944, where continued training replacements. Finally committed to battle 27 May north of Gustav Line. Entered Rome 4 June with 88th Infantry Division. Attacked across Cecina River in late June. Deployed for defense of Arno River line in mid August. Supported 85th Division attack on Gothic Line beginning 12 September. Fired mainly artillery missions after stalemate in October. Participated on spring offensive bin April 1945, reached the Po River 23 April. Ended war in vicinity of Vicenza. Attachments: 34th, 88th Infantry divisions; First Special Service Force.[xliv]

753d Tank Battalion

     Constituted on 16 December 1940 as 73d Tank Battalion (Medium), activated as 753d Tank Battalion on 1 June 1941 at Fort Benning, Georgia, under command of Lt. Col. Robert B. Ennis. Arrived in North Africa on 26 May 1943 but saw no action. Landed on Sicily as part of Operation Husky on 10 July 1943, drove north across island split between 1st and 45th Infantry divisions. Debarked at Salerno, Italy, on 15 September 1943, fought up peninsula to the Rapido. Supported the French Expeditionary Corps during breakthrough of Gustav Line in May 1944. Landed in southern France as part of Operation Dragoon assault force on 15 August 1944. Participated in drive toward Germany. In December, supported both the 3d and 36th Infantry divisions in fierce fighting in the Selestat-Ribeauville-Kaysersberg area, then moved with the 36th into the Strasbourg area. Fought against German Nordwind offensive in January 1945. On 15 March, jumped off in support of 36th’s attack through Siegfried Line toward Rhine River. Crossed Rhine under Corps control in April, attached to 63d Infantry Division for limited pursuit of enemy and cleaning up bypassed strong points, including Heilbronn. Located in Kufstein, Austria, when cease-fire orders received on 7 May 1945. Attachments: 1st, 45th Infantry divisions (Sicily); 34th, 36th, 45th Infantry divisions; New Zealand Corps; French Expeditionary Corps (Italy); 36th, 63d, 70th, 100th Infantry divisions (ETO).[xlv]

754th Tank Battalion

     Activated as medium tank battalion on 1 June 1941 at Pine Camp, New York, under the command of Lt. Col. Robert Wallace. Converted to a light tank battalion on 29 December 1941. Arrived Australia 27 February 1942 and joined the Americal Division on New Caledonia in March. Attached to XIV Corps in August. Reorganized as a standard tank battalion 7 November 1943. Defended perimeter at Augusta Bay, Bougainville, beginning 6 January 1944 as corps reserve. First action with the Americal Division’s 132d Infantry on 30 January. Landed at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 9 January 1945, with Company A attached to 37th Infantry Division and Company B attached to 40th Infantry Division. Remaining companies attached to 37th Division 28 January, all elements fought at Clark Field. Companies B and D supported 40th Division beginning 8 February while other elements, later joined by Company B, supported 37th Division and 1st Cavalry Brigade in battle for Manila into March. Elements shifted among 6th, 38th, and 43d Infantry divisions through end of Luzon campaign. Companies B and C moved to Panay Island 28 July with 40th Infantry Division. Attachments: 6th, 37th, 38th, 40th, 43d, Americal Infantry divisions.[xlvi]

755th Tank Battalion

     Activated as medium tank battalion on 1 June 1941 at Camp Bowie, Texas. Arrived North Africa January 1943, reorganized as standard tank battalion 15 September, debarked in Italy 27 October. Entered battle 15 December near Venafro with 45th Infantry Division. Attached to French Expeditionary Corps 9 January 1944, supported crossing of Rapido River 24 January, assault on Gustav Line 12 May. Attached to various divisions along the defensive line over the winter. Trained on LVTs, reorganized into three squadrons, in March. Carried British troops in amphibious operation across flooded area near Ravenna beginning 12 April. Reequipped with tanks by 23 April, except Company C, which ferried troops across the Po River on 24 April. Ended war near Turin. Attachments: 34th, 45th, 85th, 91st Infantry divisions; 10th Mountain Division; British 56th Division; French 2d Moroccan Infantry, 3d Algerian Infantry, 4th Moroccan Mountain divisions.[xlvii]

756th Tank Battalion

     Activated as light tank battalion on 1 June 1941 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Companies A and C participated in Operation Torch landings in Morocco 8 November 1942. Battalion landed in North Africa on 24 January 1943, Italy on 17 September 1943. Reorganized as a standard tank battalion on 15 December 1943. Fought at Cassino, crossed the Rapido River in January 1944. Landed in southern France on 15 August partially equipped with DD amphibious tanks. Companies A and B equipped with DD tanks for landing near St. Tropez. Drove to Belfort Gap with 3d Infantry Division. Fought in Vosges Mountains, entered Strasbourg on 26 November 1944. Fought in Colmar Pocket January and February 1945. Supported 3d Infantry Division in late March through Siegfried Line and across Rhine near Worms, crossing on 26 March. Company C supported crossing with DD tanks. Participated in assault on Nürnberg 17–20 April. Attacked south through Augsburg and Munich, formed part of the spearhead that seized Berchtesgaden and Salzburg in early May 1945. Attachments: 3d Infantry Division (North Africa); 34th, 45th, 85th, 88th Infantry divisions; French 3d Algerian Infantry Division, 4th Moroccan Mountain Division (Italy); 3d, 103d Infantry divisions, French 2d Armored Division (ETO).[xlviii]

757th Tank Battalion

     Activated as light tank battalion on 1 June 1941 at Fort Ord, California. Arrived in Italy in late 1943, reorganized in January 1944 from a light to standard tank battalion at Agata, Italy. Entered defensive positions attached to the 2d Moroccan Infantry Division on 28 February near Venafro. Broke through Gustav Line in May attached to French 1st Infantry Division, remained attached to French divisions through July. Fired missions along IV Corps front in early August, then moved to II Corps near Florence with 34th Infantry Division, where operated north of Arno River. Generally remained on the line as infantry divisions rotated in and out. Supported 88th and 91st Infantry divisions in Spring Offensive in April 1945. Ended war near Treviso. Attachments: French 1st Infantry, 2d Moroccan Infantry, 3d Algerian Infantry, 4th Moroccan Mountain divisions; 34th, 88th, 91st Infantry divisions.[xlix]

758th Light Tank Battalion

     Activated on 1 June 1941 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Arrived Italy 25 November 1944. Entered line attached to 760th Tank Battalion with 92d Infantry Division near Lido di Camiore on 1 January 1945. Participated in spring offensive in April, generally under the control of the 760th Tank Battalion, drove along coast toward Genoa. Entered division reserve 29 April, ended war at Voltri. Attachments: 92d Infantry Division.[l]

759th Light Tank Battalion

     Activated on 1 June 1941 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, under command of Lt. Col. Kenneth C. Althaus. Stationed in Iceland for eleven months and finally shipped to the United Kingdom in August 1943. Landed in Normandy on 16 June 1944 and was committed attached to 2d Infantry Division. From 21 August 1944 until end of the war, attached to 4th Cavalry Group. Passed through Chartres and crossed the Seine on 26 August 1944; crossed the Meuse River at Dinant and liberated Celles, Rauersim, Stavelot, and Malmedy. Entered Germany on 13 September. Ordered into the Ardennes in December. Spent early 1945 in defensive positions or out of the line. Reached Rhine River on 5 March at Zons. Captured series of obscure German towns in April, ending month in Aschersleben, where occupation duty began. Attachments: 2d, 4th Infantry divisions, 101st Airborne Division.[li]

760th Tank Battalion

Activated as a light tank battalion on 1 June 1941 at Camp Bowie, Texas, under command of Lt. Col. Donald Spalding. Redesignated as medium tank battalion in November. Arrived Casablanca January 1943, assigned to I Armored Corps and saw no action. Arrived Italy 26 October, reorganized as standard tank battalion in November. Entered line in Cassino sector on 5 January 1944, supported 36th Division’s failed attack across Rapido River. Participated in drive to Rome beginning 11 May, entered city on 4 June. Fought along Arno River beginning 8 July. Moved to Florence sector in late August, where crossed Arno River. Joined IV Corps in coastal sector in late December. Supported 10th Mountain Division during capture of Mt. Belvedere in March 1945, participated in spring offensive in April split between IV Corps and Brazilian Expeditionary Force. Attachments: 3d, 34th, 36th, 85th, 88th, 91st, 92d Infantry divisions; 10th Mountain Division; 1st Armored Division; British 4th Indian Division; Brazilian Expeditionary Force.[lii]

761st Tank Battalion

     Activated on 1 April 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, as a light tank battalion manned by black enlisted personnel. Major Edward E. Cruise assumed command. First black officers joined in July 1942. Converted to medium tank battalion in September 1943. Arrived in England in September 1944 and France on 10 October. Saw first action on 8 November with Third Army. Entered Germany on 14 December. Participated in American counteroffensive after the Battle of the Bulge from 31 December 1944 to 2 February 1945. In March served as spearhead of 103d Infantry Division in penetrating Siegfried Line. Among first American units to link with Soviet forces, doing so on 5 May 1945 in Steyr, Austria. Attachments: 26th, 71st, 79th, 87th, 95th, 103d Infantry divisions, 17th Airborne Division.[liii]

762d Tank Battalion

     Activated on 23 April 1942 at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, as a medium tank battalion. Reorganized as standard tank battalion 22 November 1943. Companies B and D landed on Saipan beginning 17 June 1944. Sailed for Oahu 5 August. Attachments: 27th Infantry Division.[liv]

763d Tank Battalion

     Activated on 22 April 1942 at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, as a medium tank battalion. Reorganized as standard tank battalion, date unknown. Embarked Oahu 13 September 1944, landed at Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October. Assaulted Okinawa 1 April 1945. Attachments: 32d, 96th Infantry divisions.[lv]

766th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 8 February 1943 at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, under the command of Major H. R. Edmondson. Despite designation, both Companies C and D equipped with light tanks. Companies B and C departed Hawaii 19-23 January 1944 for Marshall Islands; remained in reserve off Kwajalein. Company C landed on Eniwetok on 19 February, Parry Island 22 February. Company D attached to 762d Provisional Tank Battalion, disembarked on Saipan 17 June. All officers and men transferred to 767th Tank Battalion 10 April 1945. Attachments: 27th Infantry Division.[lvi]

767th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 6 February 1943 at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, originally as a light tank battalion. Reorganized as a standard tank battalion on 20 November. Landed at Kwajalein Atoll 31 January 1944, Leyte on 20 October, where remained through 25 December. Transferred to Hawaii, where where absorbed personnel and equipment of deactivated 766th Tank Battalion in April 1945, prepared for invasion of Japan. Attachments: 7th Infantry Division.[lvii]

771st Tank Battalion

     Activated on 10 September 1943 at Camp Bowie, Texas, as part of reorganization of 4th Armored Division. Lieutenant Colonel Jack C. Childers assumed command. Probably landed in France in October 1944. Saw first combat attached to 102d Infantry Division on 21 November. Fought along Roer River until 21 December, when sent to Ardennes with 84th Infantry Division. Joined breakthrough from Metzerath, Germany, in February 1945. Reached Rhine at Homburg on 4 March. On 19 March, attached to 17th Airborne Division, with which battalion was to link after paratroopers landed as part of Rhine River assault. Crossed river night of 25 March, linked up, attacked eastward. Reached Hanover on 10 April. Reached vicinity of Elbe River by midmonth. Took up occupation duties in the vicinity of Salzwedel, Germany, on 4 May 1945. Attachments: 84th, 102d Infantry divisions, 17th Airborne Division.[lviii]

772d Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 September 1943 at Pine Camp, New York, under temporary command of Maj. L. L. Willard. Disembarked at Le Havre, France, on 8 February 1945. Crossed Rhine on 27 March and saw first real combat at Mannheim. Marched along Main River to Werbachhausen and across the Danube to Ulm in April. Operating in area of Imst, Austria, when hostilities in sector ended on 5 May 1945. Attachments: 4th, 44th, 70th Infantry divisions.[lix]

773d Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from 773d Tank Battalion on 27 October 1943 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of Lt. Col. Arnold Wall. Shipped from Pittsburg, California, 8 February 1944, arrived Hawaii 15 February. Participated in assault on Saipan 15 June, Tinian 24 July. Supported landings on small islands around Okinawa, Ryukyus Islands, in March and April 1945. Attachments: 27th, 77th Infantry divisions; 2d, 4th Marine divisions.[lx]

774th Tank Battalion

     “Blackcat” battalion activated on 20 September 1943 at Fort Benning, Georgia, from 1st Battalion, 31st Armored Regiment, 7th Armored Division, under command of Lt. Col. N. K. Markle Jr. Arrived in Scotland on 12 July 1944; disembarked at Utah Beach on 24 August. Helped 83d Infantry Division protect Patton’s right in September. Entered Luxembourg in October, then participated in operations along Moselle River. Moved to Hürtgen Forest in December 1944 to support the 83d Infantry Division's drive toward Roer River. Supported 83d Infantry Division operations against north flank of the Bulge in January 1945 and the 78th Infantry Division capture of the Roer River dams. Crossed Rhine via the Remagen bridge in March, then attacked Ruhr Pocket in April. Raced 280 miles southeastward to join 101st Airborne Division in drive toward mythical Nazi National Redoubt in Alps near Berchtesgaden. Ended war near Kempfenhausen, Germany. Attachments: 78th, 83d Infantry divisions; 82d, 101st Airborne divisions.[lxi]

775th Tank Battalion

     Activated from 1st Battalion, 36th Armored Regiment, 8th Armored Division, on 20 September 1943 at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Departed San Francisco 28 May 1944 for New Guinea. Disembarked on Luzon, Philippine Islands, 11 January 1945, placed in Sixth Army reserve. Attached I Corps 7 February. Companies parceled out to divisions through 1 June. Attachments: 6th, 25th, 32d, 33d, 37th, 43d Infantry divisions.[lxii]

776th Amphibian Tank Battalion

     Activated as 776th Tank Battalion from 1st Battalion, 2d Armored Regiment, 9th Armored Division, on 9 October 1943 at Ibis, California under the command of Lt. Col. O’Neill Kane. Redesignated 776th Amphibian Tank Battalion on 8 January 1944, transferred to Ft. Ord. Battalion less Company D departed States 9 September, arrived Oahu, Hawaii, 14 June; Leyte Island, the Philippines, 20 October, where participated in amphibious assault. Company D departed States attached to 81st Infantry Division 13 October for assault on Angaur Island, Palau Group, 17 September. Battalion (-) conducted deep amphibious reconnaissance, envelopments, and raids along island’s west coast from November through 5 February 1945. Reunited battalion participated in assault on Okinawa 1 April. Attachments: 7th, 77th, 81st Infantry divisions.[lxiii]

777th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 September 1943 at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from 1st Battalion, 3d Armored Regiment, 10th Armored Division. Arrived in England on 27 December 1944; disembarked at Le Havre, France, on 6 February 1945. Took part in Operation Damnation in April attached to 69th Infantry Division, in turn attached to 9th Armored Division. Crossed Weser River, and Company C entered Colditz on 15 April, liberating five hundred French officers and Stalin’s son. Other tanks entered Leipzig on the 18 April. Moved to Thrana in early May 1945. Attachments: 28th, 69th Infantry divisions.[lxiv]

778th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 September 1943 at Camp Barkeley, Texas, under command of Lt. Col. Frank J. Spettel. Shipped to France in September 1944. Joined battle around Metz attached to 95th Infantry Division on 15 November, including fighting in Maizières-les-Metz. Supported 95th Infantry Division's attack across Saar River in December and helped clear Saarlautern; held defensive positions in this area into February 1945. Beginning 6 February, most of battalion attached to 94th Infantry Division to support its operations against the Siegfried Switch line of fortifications. Crossed Rhine with 26th Infantry Division on 25 March. Supported the division's advance across Germany behind 11th Armored Division in April in direction of Linz, Austria. Advanced toward Prague until 7 May 1945. Attachments: 26th, 65th, 94th, 95th Infantry divisions.[lxv]

780th Amphibian Tank Battalion

     Activated as 780th Tank Battalion on 22 December 1943 at Camp Beale, California, from 1st Battalion, 43d Armored Regiment, 13th Armored Division. Assigned to Ft. Ord 31 March 1944, redesignated 780th Amphibian Tank Battalion on 8 April. Transferred to Hawaii in July. Departed 10 September, arrived at Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October and participated in assault landings, fought inland. From 1 November, secured landing area. Formed part of assault wave at Okinawa on 1 April 1945. Patrolled as foot troops in June. Attachments: 27th, 96th Infantry divisions.[lxvi]

781st Tank Battalion

     Activated (originally as light tank battalion) on 2 January 1943 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, under command of Lt. Col. Harry L. Kinne Jr. Arrived at Marseille in October 1944. Entered combat in Alsace on 7 December attached to 100th Infantry Division, which was attacking toward Maginot Line stronghold of Bitche. From December 1944 to January 1945, battalion supported five different Infantry Divisions, entering Germany attached to 79th. Battled Nordwind offensive in January. Supported 100th Infantry Division attack that finally captured Bitche in March, then drove to Rhine near Mannheim. Crossed the river on 31 March and seized Heilbronn in April. Crossed Neckar River and swung toward Munich. Most of battalion entered Austria near Innsbruck in May, while Company C entered Brenner Pass with 103d Infantry Division. Attachments: 70th, 79th, 100th, 103d Infantry divisions; 101st Airborne Division.[lxvii]

782d Tank Battalion

     Activated (originally as light tank battalion) on 1 February 1943 at Camp Cambell, Kentucky. Converted to standard tank battalion on 16 October. Shipped to France in January 1945, arriving at Le Havre. Moved into Germany at Aachen on 8 April. Attached to 97th Infantry Division on 23 April and saw first real action on 30 April at Wittichsthal. Entered Czechoslovakia on 4 May 1945 and ceased operations in vicinity of Sluzetin on 7 May. Attachments: 97th Infantry Division.[lxviii]

784th Tank Battalion

     Activated (originally as light tank battalion) on 1 April 1943 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under command of Maj. George C. Dalia. One of three separate tank battalions with black enlisted personnel and mostly white officers. Reorganized as regular tank battalion on 15 September. Shipped to England in November 1944 and landed on Continent 25 December. Committed on 30 December attached to 104th Infantry Division near Eschweiler, Germany. Reattached to 35th Infantry Division on 4 February 1945 and crossed Roer River on 26 February. Formed part of Task Force Byrnes, which linked up with Canadian forces in Venlo, Netherlands, in early March. Crossed Rhine on 26 March and fought in Ruhr Pocket. By 15 April, was helping to clear woods west of Elbe River. Took on occupation duties in vicinity of Immensen on 27 April. Attachments: 35th, 104th Infantry divisions; 17th Airborne Division.[lxix]

786th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 20 September 1943 at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, out of 1st Battalion, 47th Armored Regiment, 14th Armored Division. Major Charles F. Ryan assumed command. Shipped to United Kingdom, arriving December 1944, and landed at Le Havre, France, on 22 January 1945. Attached to 99th Infantry Division in February and moved to front near Weisweiler, Germany. Supported division's attack to Rhine near Düsseldorf in early March. Crossed Rhine at Remagen on 10 March. Advanced to Weid River, then conducted fast-moving operations along the Frankfurt-Düsseldorf autobahn. Conducted mop-up operations in Ruhr Pocket in April. On 17 April, transferred with 99th Infantry Division to Third Army and advanced to Bamberg. Ceased combat operations on 1 May 1945 near Landshut. Attachments: 99th Infantry Division.[lxx]

787th Tank Battalion

     Activated on 10 September 1943 at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, out of 3d Battalion, 16th Armored Regiment, 16th Armored Division. Major David L. Hollingsworth assumed command. Shipped to France, arriving in March 1945. Due to collision off Bermuda, ship carrying the battalion's equipment did not arrive until April 1945, by which time battalion had moved to Wurzburg, Germany. Between 3 and 6 May, conducted road march to join 86th Infantry Division near Erding. Entered Austria on 6 May 1945. Experienced no contact with the enemy. Attachments: 86th Infantry Division.[lxxi]

788th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from 788th Tank Battalion on 10 September 1943 at Camp Campbell, Kentucky, under the command of Lt. Col. Francis Hufford. Shipped from Seattle, Washington, 28 Kuly 1944 for Oahu. Participated in assault on Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October, and amphibious operations elsewhere on the island. Participated in assault landings on Okinawa, Ryukyus Islands, 1 April 1945. Supported Marine amphibious operations on Okinawa in June. Attachments: 24th, 96th Infantry divisions; 6th Marine Division.[lxxii]

826th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

     Redesignated from 826th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 18 April 1944 at Ft. Ord, California, under the command of L. Col. T. T. Houghton. Departed States 15 August 1944, arrived Admiralty Islands 19 September. Company A participated in landings on Leyte 20 October, operated with 1st Cavalry Division in November and December. Remainder of battalion landed on Luzon 9 January 1945, operated on that island until end of hostilities. Attachments: 43d Infantry Division; 1st Cavalry Division.[lxxiii]

Endnotes for Appendix A: Battalion Profiles

[i] History, 44th Tank Battalion. Martin.

[ii] Soixante-Dix, official history of the 70th Tank Battalion. History, 70th Tank Battalion.

[iii] 191 Tank Bn., contained in the battalion’s official records.

[iv] History, AARs, 193d Tank Battalion.

[v] History, 534th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

[vi] History, AARs, S-3 journal, 534th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

[vii] History, 539th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

[viii] History, 540th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

[ix] History, AARs, S-3 journal, 534th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

[x] History, AARs, 672d Amphibian Tractor Battalion.

[xi] Edward C. Hassett, ed., 701st Tank Battalion (Nürnberg: Sebaldus-Verlag, 1945). AARs, 701st Tank Battalion; Armored Special Equipment.

[xii] Battalion records, 702d Tank Battalion.

[xiii] History, AARs, 706th Tank Battalion.

[xiv] Official History, S-3 Journal, and AARs, 707th Tank Battalion.

[xv] General Orders, AARs, 708th Amphibian Tank Battalion. “Army Amphibian Tank and Tractor Training in the Pacific.”

[xvi] Official History, S-3 Journal, and AARs, 709th Tank Battalion.

[xvii] History, 710th Tank Battalion.

[xviii] History, 711th Tank Battalion.

[xix] Official History, S-3 Journal, and AARs, 712th Tank Battalion.

[xx] History, 713th Tank Battalion, Armored Flamethrower.

[xxi] History and AARs, 715th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[xxii] History, 716th Tank Battalion.

[xxiii] 717th Tank Battalion Record (1945?).

[xxiv] History and AARs, 718th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[xxv] History, 726th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[xxvi] History, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[xxvii] History and AARs, 728th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[xxviii] General Orders and AARs, 735th Tank Battalion.

[xxix] History, AARs, and S-3 Journal, 736th Tank Battalion. Armored Special Equipment.

[xxx] History, AARs, and S-3 Journal, 737th Tank Battalion.

[xxxi] Unit journal, history, and AARs, 738th Tank Battalion. Armored Special Equipment.

[xxxii] Unit journal, history, and AARs, 739th Tank Battalion. Armored Special Equipment.

[xxxiii] Unit history and AARs, 740th Tank Battalion. Rubel. Armored Special Equipment.

[xxxiv] Unit history and AARs, 741st Tank Battalion.

[xxxv] Unit history and AARs, 743d Tank Battalion.

[xxxvi] The 744th Light Tank Battalion’s VE Day Reminiscence, 744th Tank Battalion.

[xxxvii] Unit history and AARs, 745th Tank Battalion.

[xxxviii] Unit history and AARs, 746th Tank Battalion.

[xxxix] Unit history and AARs, 747th Tank Battalion.

[xl] Unit history and AARs, 748th Tank Battalion. Armored Special Equipment.

[xli] Unit history and AARs, 749th Tank Battalion.

[xlii] Unit history and AARs, 750th Tank Battalion.

[xliii] Unit history and AARs, 751st Tank Battalion.

[xliv] Unit history and AARs, 752d Tank Battalion. History, 1st Armored Group.

[xlv] Unit history and AARs, 753d Tank Battalion. The records for the period of attachment to the French Expeditionary Corps are missing.

[xlvi] History, 754th Tank Battalion.

[xlvii] Unit history and AARs, 755th Tank Battalion.

[xlviii] Unit history and AARs, 756th Tank Battalion. Roger Fazendin, The 756th Tank Battalion in the Battle of Cassino, 1944 (Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse, Inc., 1991), xiii.

[xlix] Unit history and AARs, 757th Tank Battalion.

[l] Unit history and AARs, 758th Tank Battalion.

[li] Unit history and AARs, 759th Tank Battalion.

[lii] Col. John Krebs, WW II Survey 10,865, Military History Institute, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

[liii] Trezzvant Anderson. Ulysses Lee Wilson, U.S. Army In World War II: The Employment of Negro Troops (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1966), 661 ff.

[liv] History, Company A, 762d Tank Battalion. “Army Tanks in the Battle for Saipan.” AAR, 762d Tank Battalion.

[lv] AAR, 763d Tank Battalion.

[lvi] History, AARs, 766th Tank Battalion.

[lvii] History, AARs, 767th Tank Battalion.

[lviii] General orders and AARs, 771st Tank Battalion.

[lix] Unit history and AARs, 772d Tank Battalion.

[lx] History and AARs, 715th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[lxi] Unit history and AARs, 774th Tank Battalion.

[lxii] Unit history, 775th Tank Battalion.

[lxiii] Unit history and AARs, 776th Tank Battalion.

[lxiv] Unit history and AARs, 777th Tank Battalion.

[lxv] Unit history, AARs, and S-3 journal, 778th Tank Battalion.

[lxvi] General orders, field orders, history, AARs, and journal, 780th Tank Battalion.

[lxvii] Up From Marseilles.

[lxviii] Battalion history and AAR, 782d Tank Battalion.

[lxix] AARs, 784th Tank Battalion.

[lxx] Battalion history and AARs, 786th Tank Battalion.

[lxxi] Battalion history, and AARs, 787th Tank Battalion.

[lxxii] History and AARs, 788th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.  

[lxxiii] History and AARs, 826th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.