Unit History: Activated 15 December, 1941, at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Disembarked in France from England on 24 July, 1944, with towed guns and entered the line near Colombieres. Advanced across France with the 28th Infantry Division to Luxembourg. Supported operations against the Siegfried Line in September–October. Operated in the Hürtgen Forest in November. Shifted to the Ardennes sector with the 28th Infantry Division in late November, still located there at start of German offensive in December. Shifted south to Colmar area in January 1945, where the 28th Infantry Division operated under French control. Returned north in mid-February only to redeploy south to the Saar region in mid-March, after which the battalion converted to the M36. Participated in the elimination of the Ruhr Pocket in April. Took up occupation duties at Zweibrücken on 28 April. Attached to: 17th Airborne Division; 13th Armored Division; 28th Infantry Division. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 7/44 – Towed 3″ Gun; 4/45 – M36.
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Samuel T. Wallace (12/15/41); Lt. Col. Clyde A. Burcham (12/15/43); Major John W. Cooper Jr. (11/44); Lt. Col. Albert W. Jones (12/6/44); Major Patrick G. Emmanuel (Acting C.O. 5/3-12/45 for LTC Jones); Lt. Col. Rudolph H. Mieding (following end of combat)
Code Name/s: Cossack
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: Distinguished Unit Citation – 16-24 Dec 44, WD GO 63-47, Co C only
Location August 1945: Iversheim, Germany
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) Unit Reports – from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas (**).
July 1 – 31, 1944………………..3 Pages (with Journal) (**)
Aug. 1 – 31, 1944……………….2 Pages
Sep. 1 – 30, 1944………………12 Pages (**)
Oct. 1 – 31, 1944………………14 Pages
Nov. 1 – 30, 1944……………..18 Pages (**)
Dec. 1 – 31, 1944…………….. 11 Pages (**)
Jan. 1 – 31, 1945………………11 Pages
Feb. 1 – 28, 1945……………….7 Pages (**)
Mar. 1 – 31, 1945……………….3 Pages
Apr. 1 – 30, 1945……………….3 Pages (**)
May 1 – 31, 1945……………….2 Pages (**)
May 1945…………………………7 Pages (S-1 Journal)
May 1945……………………….31 Pages (S-3 Periodic Report)
May 1945……………………….11 Pages (S-3 Journal)
June 1 – 30, 1945…………….. 3 Pages (**)
2.) Operations Reports – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Jan. 1-14, 1945…………………4 Pages
May 8 – Sept. 30, 1945………..6 Pages
Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 1945…………5 Pages
3.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Various Documents, 1941-1945………………………….25 Pages
Period Report, Medical Detachment, June 30, 1945……3 Pages
German Identification Narrative, July 19, 1945…………3 Pages
4.) Operational Report for The Battle of the Bulge – Covers period Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan. 4, 1945. Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.
5.) Unit History – Written by Patrick Emmanuel shortly after returning home from the war. He was the former S-3 (Operations Officer) for the unit and, as a Major, was the Acting Commander of the unit on V-E Day. Provided courtesy of Beth Wilkinson.
6.) Early Battalion History – Covers activation of unit until they moved to Camp Rucker, AL, on Feb. 16, 1944. Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.
7.) Letters of Commendation and Order of the Day – Provided courtesy of Beth Wilkinson
8.) Company A Travel Log – Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.
9.) Battalion Travel Log Map – Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.
10.) Combat Highlights Listing – Covers period from July 24, 1944 to May 31, 1945. Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.
11.) Officer Roster – Compiled on April 30, 1945. Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.
12.) Company A Group Photo – Photo is courtesy of Jim Moore, whose uncle, T.M. Hill, is shown in the second row from the top, 13th man from left. Ralph Malone is to the right of him, 14th man in the row.
13.) Company B Group Photo – Taken on April 18, 1942 at Fort Jackson, SC. Identified Officers shown left to right, 2nd Lt. Patrick G. Emmanuel, 1st Lt. Maurice H. Reich, Capt. Gerald D. Albrecht – Commanding, 2nd Lt. Edwin B. Watkins and 2nd Lt. Frank S. Ray. This list is not in the same order as shown on the photo but has been confirmed by Patrick Emmanuel. Thanks to Jim Moore for his assistance and Beth Wilkinson for providing the photo.
14.) Medical Detachment Group Photo – Taken at Camp Rucker, AL, on August 20, 1943. Courtesy of Alex Magocsi, whose father, Capt. Alex W. Magocsi, is shown sitting fifth from the left. Personnel are identified as follows, sitting; G. Shepard, J. Mell, A. Dressel, J. Kopolovich, Capt. Magocsi, Lt. G. G. Trupp, D. Davis, M. Bernstein and F. Kitch. Standing; W. Sadus, W. Reid, W. Spence, L. Eye, E. Smith, W. Dillard, F. J. Williams, P. Paul and H. Gruenebaum. Capt. Magocsi is also profiled in our Honorees section.
15.) Headquarters & Headquarters Co. Group Photo – Taken on April 18, 1942 at Fort Jackson, SC. Identified Officers are Lt. Col. Samuel T. Wallace who was the Battalion Commander and is shown in the front row, centered, with his hands on his knees. The Company Commander is listed as 1st Lt. James S. Corbitt, but I can’t identify him since all the other officers are also shown. Photo courtesy of Paul Stevens.
16.) Commendation from City of Colmar – To Commemorate the Liberation of the City of Colmar, France, the Mayor authorized all members of the Sixth Army Group (including the 630 TD Bn) to wear the Coat of Arms of the city. Courtesy of Jim Moore. Detail Image of the Colmar Patch provided by Rachel Hill and Jim Moore.
17.) Photo Gallery