Unit History:  Activated on 25 June 1942 at Camp Swift, Texas, as a towed battalion. Arrived at Greenock, Scotland, on 15 April 1944. Landed in France beginning 14 June and committed in the vicinity of Cerisy. Fought at Vire during breakout in July and early August. Moved to Brittany and supported siege and capture of Brest in late August and September. Shifted to Belgium in October and supported operations against the Siegfried Line until December. Engaged Germans in Honsfeld, Belgium, area at outbreak of Battle of the Bulge. Converted to self-propelled battalion (M18s) beginning 29 December 1944. Joined attack through Monschau Forest in February 1945. Crossed Rhine River in March, participated in race through central Germany to Leipzig in April. Attached to: 9th Armored Division; 1st, 2d, 9th, 99th Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

Combat Equipment:  6/44 - Towed 3" Gun; 1/44 - M18.

Commanding Officers:  Lt. Col. Willis A. Hedden; Lt. Col. Joseph M. Deeley; Exec. Maj. James B. Kemp

Code Name/s:  Vertex

Campaign Credits:   Normandy........................Jun. 6, to Jul. 24, 1944

                                Northern France...............Jul. 25, to Sept. 14, 1944

                                Rhineland........................Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945

                                Ardennes-Alsace..............Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan 25, 1945

                                Central Europe.................Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945

Awards:  Croix De Guerre (French or Belgium "Cross of War")

Location August 1945:  Bonn, Germany

Additional Information/Materials:

1.)  612th Tank Destroyer Battalion website - Very detailed site with allot of information on the unit and the unit's Association.

2.)  History of the 612th Tank Destroyer Battalion - Written by members of the unit and printed by Novy Vsetisk of Pizen, Czechoslovakia in 1945.  This version has been re-typed and includes listings of Commendations, Decorations, Wounded, MIA and KIA personnel.  Used by permission of the 612th Tank Destroyer Battalion Association. 

3.)  Camp Kilmer to Victory - Expanded History of the 612th TD Bn. written by Sergeant S. E. Mestrezat. Used by permission of the 612th Tank Destroyer Battalion Association. 

4.)  Roster of Company A - Taken from reports and provides only last names, rank and assignments.  Used by permission of the 612th Tank Destroyer Battalion Association.

5.)  Operations of 612th TD Bn in the Battle of the Bulge - This Advanced Infantry Officers Course document was written by Maj. James B. Kemp (Exec. Officer) and pulls from his personal experience during the action, which took place from December 16 - 31, 1944 in the vicinity of Elsenborn Corner.

              Jul. 1 to 31, 1944................1 Page

              Aug. 1 to 31, 1944..............2 Pages

              Sep. 1 to 30, 1944...............2 Pages

              Oct. 1 to 31, 1944...............2 Pages

              Nov. 1 to 30, 1944..............1 Page

              Dec. 1 to 31, 1944..............2 Pages

              Feb. 1 to 28, 1945..............2 Pages

              Apr. 1 to 30, 1945..............2 Pages (Some areas difficult to read)

              May 1 to 8, 1945................1 Pages (Some areas difficult to read)