Motto: “Coup De Grace” or Finishing Stroke
Unit History: Activated 15 December 1941, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Arrived in North Africa on 17 January, 1943, where it supported British, French, and American troops in Tunisia. Re-equipped with M10’s after end of hostilities. The battalion sent six officers and 400 men to Sicily to handle POWs. Two platoons served briefly in southern Italy before battalion sailed to the United Kingdom in November, 1943. Disembarked at Utah Beach on 27 June, 1944. Joined drive to Le Mans and then north to Alencon at Falaise Gap. Was first armored unit to cross the Seine River. Entered Belgium 2 September, 1944. Moved south and fought around the Foret de Parroy in October. Supported advance to Strasbourg in November, where Recon Company actually preceded 2d French Armored Division to within one mile of Rhine. Battled German Nordwind offensive in January, 1945, partially re-equipping with M18’s after heavy losses. Shifted to Belgium in February, re-equipped again with M36’s. Crossed Rhine River 24 March, participated in reduction of Ruhr Pocket. Conducted long road march south to Ulm. Took on military government duties in early May. Attached to: 44th, 79th, 84th Infantry divisions; 106th Cavalry Group. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 3/43 – M3; 9/43 – M10; 2/45 – M36B1 & M36
Commanding Officers: Col. William A. Walker; Lt. Col. Clymer D. Jeffries Jr. (KIA 11/26/44); Lt. Col. George McCutchen (11/44)
Code Name/s: Mutilate
Campaign Credits: Tunisia………………………Nov. 17, to May 13, 1942
Rome Arno………………….Jan. 22, to Sept. 9, 1944
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: Bocholtz, Holland
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) Battalion Photo– Taken April 22, 1942 at Ft. Bragg, NC. Commanding Officer was Col. William A. Walker. Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira
2.) History of the Unit’s Distinctive Insignia – Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira
3.) “A War to Win” Personal Stories of World War II in the Men’s Own Words – is a very nice collection of stories from men of Company B, brought together by Harry D. Dunnagan. It is my understanding from his wife that the men didn’t even know Harry was going to create such a book but I’m glad he did. Published in 1992 by Royall Dutton Books and edited by Vicki Hamlin Warner, this book has sixteen major chapters with a Memoriam and Roster of B Company personnel as well as some maps. The book is still available through Amazon for a reasonable price at the link above.
4.) After Action Reports – Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira.
Short History and Organization..7 Pages
Jul. 14-Aug 30, 1943……………2 Pages
Jun. 1-30, 1944……………..……4 Pages
Jul. 1-31, 1944………………….15 Pages
Aug. 1-31, 1944…………….…..21 Pages
Sept. 1-30, 1944…………………12 Pages
Oct. 1-31, 1944………………….14 Pages
Nov. 1-30, 1944…………………13 Pages
Dec. 1-31, 1944………………….16 Pages
Jan. 1-31, 1945………………….19 Pages
Feb. 1-28, 1945……………………3 Pages
Mar. 1-31, 1945……………………5 Pages
Apr. 1-30, 1945……………………7 Pages
May 1-10, 1945……………………9 Pages (includes disposition diagrams and a map)
5.) Tank Destroyer Reports – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Daily: Aug. 23 & 25, 1944………………………………….2 Pages
Sept. 8-30, 1944, Pt. 1…………………………….15 Pages (some dates missing)
Sept. 8-30, 1944, Pt. 2…………………………….14 Pages (some dates missing)
Oct. 1-23, 1944, Pt. 1……………………………..21 Pages
Oct. 1-23, 1944, Pt. 2……………………………..22 Pages
Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 1944……………………………..12 Pages
Dec. 7-13, 1944…………………………………….14 Pages
Dec. 14-20, 1944…………………………………..14 Pages
Dec. 21-28, 1944…………………………………..14 Pages
Dec. 28-31, 1944…………………………………….6 Pages
Weekly: July 15-29, 1944…………………………………….4 Pages
Sept. 1-16, 1944…………………………………….4 Pages
Sept. 17-30, 1944…………………………………..6 Pages
Oct. 1-16, 1944……………………………………..5 Pages (difficult to read)
6.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Organization of TD Battalions, Dec. 3, 1941…..4 Pages
Weekly Summary Report, July 9-15, 1944…….2 Pages
Unit Disposition, Jan. 18, 1945………………….1 Page
7.) England and Africa Timeline– Notes on the unit’s time in England and Africa organized by date. Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira.
8.) Route Maps of the 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion – Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira.
a.) England b.) North Africa c.) Europe
9.) Unit Roster and Route Pamphlet – Includes short History of unit, Memoriam and a Roster of all men that served in the unit while overseas. Warning Large File 2.8 MB. Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira
10.) Le Republicain Newspaper– The front page of a French newspaper shows a cartoon of a tank destroyer and men of the 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion providing a “Peace-full Christmas always” for the people of France. Note the small boy with the symbol of the French resistance on his shirt. Headline reads “Our third Christmas of the war, Joyous celebrations of the 813 Tank Destroyer Battalion”. Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira.
11.) Newspaper Articles on the 813th – Courtesy of Jasson Ferreira.
a.) Statesville Daily Record, Statesville, NC – Tuesday, January 16, 1945
b.) The Skaneateles Press, Skaneateles, NY – Friday, August 3, 1945
c.) The Lowell Sun, Lowell, MA – Saturday, November 24, 1945
d.) Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA – Sunday, March 10, 1945
12.) ‘Colonel Boogie’ newsletter – Short newsletter we think may have been published by the 79th Infantry Division, dated April 13, 1945. There’s an article about two men from the 813th on page 2. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
13.) Photo Gallery
14.) Reunion Photos
Photo 1 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Berniece Dunnagan.
Photo 2 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Joshua Rusk
Photo 3 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Joshua Rusk
Photo 4 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Joshua Rusk
Photo 5 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Joshua Rusk
Photo 6 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Joshua Rusk
Photo 7 – Unknown date and location. Provided courtesy of Joshua Rusk
15.) Bronze Star Award Listing – From July of 1945 when the unit was attached to the 101st Airborne Division. Courtesy of Joshua Rusk.