Unit History: Activated on 25 July, 1942, at Camp Carson, Colorado. Arrived at Le Havre, France, on 23 January, 1945, with towed guns. Entered line with 63d Infantry Division near Sarreguemines on 7 February. Crossed Rhine River on 27 March and reached Heidelberg on 1 April. Reorganized as self-propelled battalion in mid-April, although the battalion possessed some M18’s by late March. Advanced across Germany, reached Munsterhausen on 27 April, and took up occupation duties. Attached to: 36th, 63d Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 2/45 – Towed 3″ Gun; 4/45 – M18
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Joseph J. Fraser (Original CO-7/25/42): Major D. W. Ingalls (9/14/42); Lt. Col. Joseph M. Lovell (11/14/42); Capt. Thomas W. Muston (2/17/43); Lt. Col. Seward L. Mains Jr. (2/23/43)
Code Name/s: Fiji
Campaign Credits: Rhineland……………………Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945
Central Europe……………..Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945
Awards: None
Location August 1945: Camp Gruber, Oklahoma
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) 2nd Anniversary Pamphlet – Presented to unit personnel on July 25, 1944. Contains Officer Roster, a chronology of the unit and several short articles. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian. NOTE – LARGE FILE
The following documents are from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
2.) After Action Reports
Feb. 1-28, 1945…….16 Pages (Includes casualties, awards, promotions & officer roster)
March 1-31, 1945…..18 Pages (Includes casualties, awards, promotions & officer roster)
April 1-30, 1945……18 Pages (Includes casualties, awards, promotions & officer roster)
May 1-10, 1945………9 Pages (Includes casualties, awards, promotions & officer roster)
3.) Unit Histories
July 25, 1942-Feb. 7, 1945………….2 Pages
July 25, 1942-Aug. 25, 1945……..20 Pages (Includes casualties, awards & promotions)
4.) General Orders – Issued by the 63rd Infantry Division for awards to unit personnel. Courtesy of Tom Hubred.
Part 1…………………………………..10 Pages
Part 2…………………………………..11 Pages
Part 3……………………………………8 Pages
Part 4……………………………………8 Pages
Part 5…………………………………..10 Pages
Part 6…………………………………..12 Pages
5.) Miscellaneous Documents
Commendations, 1945………………6 Pages
6.) Company A Group Photo – Taken at Fort Jackson, South Carolina on an unknown date. There’s a handwritten note on the image identifying that the photo was taken by Charles Old. Photo courtesy of Paul Stevens.
7.) Photo Gallery