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632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History:  Established 15 December, 1941, at Camp Livingston, LA, from personnel of the 32nd Infantry Division.  Originally a Light Towed Battalion, they shipped from San Francisco Port of Embarkation on April 22, 1942, and arrived in Australia on May 12, 1942.  Landed New Guinea on Oct 28, 1943.  Landed Philippines on Oct. 20, 1944.  The 632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion was, essentially, treated as an organic unit of the 32nd Division.  It went to Australia with the 32nd Division.  Fought with the 32nd at Aitape and Saidor.  Went into the battle for Leyte with the 1st Cavalry Division, but later joined the 32nd on Leyte.  On Luzon, it was initially attached to the 13th Armored Group but subsequently served with the 37th and 32nd Divisions.  Unit was deactivated at Camp Stoneman, CA, on Jan. 1, 1946.  Portions of the History text from the website: www.32nd-division.org.

Combat Equipment:  1/44 – M10.

Commanding Officers:  Major Roy W. Bailey (7/2/41); Major Herald M Hootman (4/3/42); Lt. Col. Hugh M. Fanning (5/4/42); Maj. Malvin P. Wang (12/13/44)

Code Name/s:  Rover

Campaign Credits:  New Guinea………….Jan. 24, 1943 to Dec. 31, 1944

                                Leyte………………….Oct. 17, 1944 to Jul. 1, 1945 (Amph. Assault)

                                Luzon…………………Jan. 9, to Jul. 4, 1945

Awards:  Distinguished Unit Citation

Location August 1945:  Philippine Islands

Additional Information/Materials:

The following documents are 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 (**).  Also courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian (***).

1.)  Organizational History-7/2/41 – 12/31/42……………….4 Pages (***)

2.)  Various History Reports

              July 2, 1941 – Dec. 31, 1942………………………..4 Pages (***)

              January 1 – Dec. 31, 1943………………………….11 Pages (***)

              January – December 31, 1944……………………..36 Pages (Inc. awards) (***)

              Hq Co, Oct 11, 1943-Feb. 11, 1944………………..2 Pages (**)

              Hq Co., Desterity Op, Feb. 11-April 30, 1944……9 Pages (Inc. officer roster) (**)

              Hq Co, Persecution Op, May 1-Sept 30, 1944……6 Pages (Inc. officer roster) (**)

              Hq Co, M-1 Op, Dec 15, 1944-June 30, 1945……6 Pages (Inc. officer roster) (**)

              Co C, Desterity Op, Dec 31, 1943-Feb 6, 1944….6 Pages (**)

              Co C, Saidor Op, Feb 11-April 28, 1944………….5 Pages (Inc. officer roster) (**)

              Co C, 1st Platoon, June 28-Aug 25, 1944………..3 Pages (**)

              Co C, Aug 26-Sept. 30, 1944……………………….3 Pages (**)

              Oct. 1 – 31, 1945………………………………………6 Pages (***)

              Nov. 1 – Dec 31, 1945………………………………..2 Pages (***)

              Brief History/Lineage………………………………….1 Page (***)

3.)  Field Orders

             #1 – Oct 6, 1944

             #5 – Oct. 26, 1944

             #14 – Nov. 29, 1944 (Annex 1 Only)

             #15 – Nov. 30, 1944

4.)  After Action Reports

            Ascom OperationSep 23 – Nov 30, 1944……..18 Pages (Incl officer roster) (***)

            Recon. Company – Sep. 23 – Nov. 30, 1944……..7 Pages

            Company A – Sep. 23 – Nov. 30, 1944…………..20 Pages

            Company B – Sep. 23 – Nov. 30, 1944…………….8 Pages (Incl officer roster)

            Company C – Sep. 23 – Nov. 30, 1944…………..10 Pages (Incl officer roster) (**)

            Oct. 20 – Nov. 13, 1944…………………………….10 Pages (Incl officer roster) (***)

5.)  Miscellaneous Documents – Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.

            Historical Records Preparation Instructions……..8 Pages

6.)  Thanksgiving Menu –  Somewhat crude but includes activities list and menu. Looks to have been sent home by T/5 Roman Kurzinski, to his wife and he asks her to save it. Unsure of the year. Courtesy of Henry Anderson.

7.)  Easter Programs – Two programs, one marked as Catholic and the other unmarked, presumably for the Protestant soldiers. Both from April 25, 1943, and identified as Somewhere in the South PacificCourtesy of Henry Anderson.

                                          Easter Program

                                         Easter Program (Catholic)

8.)  HQ Company Anniversary Program – The unit was celebrating three years overseas, from 1942 to 1945, which was being celebrating on April 21, 1945, with a luncheon and dance. Program includes menu, activities, and HQ roster. Music was provided by the Red Arrow Swing Band of the 32nd Division. Courtesy of Henry Anderson.

9.)  Transfer Listing of Men – Per Special Order #154 and dated August 9, 1945, includes a roster of 140 men that were relieved of duty with the 632nd and attached unassigned to the 21st Replacement Depot. The men’s rank, name, serial number, company, ASR (Advanced Service Rating) and MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) numbers are listed. Courtesy of Henry Anderson.       

10.)  Photo Gallery