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606th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History:  Formed on December 16, 1941, at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, as a Light Towed Battalion.  Deactivated on February 28, 1945, at Camp Hood, TX.

Combat Equipment:  N/A

Commanding Officers:  Lt. Col. Wendell L. Bevans (Orig CO); Lt. Col. James J. Derry (7/16/41); Major Donald Coates (2/19/43, appt. Lt. Col. 5/19/43)

Code Name/s:  N/A

Campaign Credits:   Continental U.S. Service Only

Awards:  None

Additional Information/Materials:

1.)  Unit History…………………………………………………30 Pages (From the NARA)

2.)  Personnel Assignments – Special Orders indicating Company Assignments for incoming personnel.  From the NARA.

3.)  Awards presented to unit personnel.  From the NARA.
      American Defense Service Medal, June 21, 1943….11 Pages
      Good Conduct Medal, June 23, 1943…………………..4 Pages

4.)  Disposition of personnel – Special Orders, containing many names, for unit personnel being transferred following inactivation of the unit.   From NARA.
       Part 1…………………………………………………………9 Pages
       Part 2…………………………………………………………9 Pages

5.)  Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.  Also from the NARA (*).

      General Order #41, May 15, 1943……………………..1 Page
      Promotions/Assignments………………………………….1 Page (*)
      Complaints during IG Inspection………………………..6 Pages (*)
      Prisoner Transfers………………………………………….1 Page (*)
      Unit movement by train assignments………………….2 Pages (*)

6.)  Company C Group Photo – Although it is not identified, this was probably taken at the same time as the following A Company photo, which is identified as taken at Camp Cooke, CA, on August 28, 1943.  The background between the two images is identical.

7.)  Company A Group Photo – Taken at Camp Cooke, CA, on August 28, 1943.  A full roster of men is included as page 2 of the document.  Photo courtesy of Paul Stevens.

8.)  6th Infantry Div. AT Bn Pictorial – An 8 page pictorial from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1941,. The pictorial showcases the 6th Infantry Division’s Anti-tank battalion. Major James J. Derry was in command and would later become the 606th’s second commander. The unit’s third commander, 1st Lt. Donald L. Coates, is also shown.

9.)  Photo Gallery