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Home
People
Honorees
Honor A Veteran
Unknowns
TD Association
TD Society
Contributors
Research
Medal Of Honor
Places
Camp Hood, Texas
Elbe Muster
Dachau 1
Gardelegen Massacre**
Dachau 2 **
Various Places 1
Various Places 2
Maps
Things
Axis Armor
Allied TDs
References
Links
Manuals
Videos
Articles
Memorabilia
Militaria
TDs In Action
Classifieds
Units
Brigades
Groups
Battalions 600
Battalions 700
Battalions 800
Training Battalions
Unit Photo Galleries
Research
672nd TD Battalion
A photo of Colonel Joseph W. Gibbs, possibly taken around the time of his retirement. As a Lt. Colonel, Gibbs led the 672nd through their change to a Amphibian Tractor Battalion and into the Pacific. He continued with them during their participation in the Northern Solomons and Luzon Campaigns and the raid on the Los Banos Prison Camp. He was awarded both a Bronze and Silver Star during WWII. He was later placed in charge of Combat Command B, of the 49th Armored Division. He had earned a Civil Engineering Degree, at Texas A & M University and put it to use when he went back to civilian life, working in the Soil Conservation Service. He passed away on January 8, 1965, and was buried in Fort Worth, TX. Photo courtesy of Gibbs' son, Lt. Col. Joseph A. Gibbs (ret.)
The patch worn by the U.S. Army Amphibian Tank and Tractor Units, at the end of WWII.
A line of LVTs of the 672nd shown with a large number of men possibly preparing for action.
People and vehicles assemble in the hours after the Raid at Los Baños. The Los Baños Internment Camp was a POW and civilian internment camp, which was liberated by allied troops, with some of the assault troops being transported by LVT-4s of the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion on February 23, 1945. The battalion would receive a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during the raid.
Some burning barracks at the Los Baños Internment Camp.
A group of men from the 672nd, shown celebrating, probably soon after the liberation of the Los Baños Prison Camp. Shown second from the right, in the very front, is Peter J. Bottari.
Another view of the barracks at the Los Baños Internment Camp. in the foreground, you can see the LVTs of the 672nd.
In 2007, a group of veterans of the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion reunited in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to not only gather with their old buddies from WWII but to also meet with some of the people they had rescued from the hands of the Japanese. LVTs and their crews of the 672nd played a key role in the Raid on Los Baños, which was a POW and civilian internment camp. Veterans shown in the photo are front L to R, Hudson Hess and Robert Wheeler. Rear L to R are Walter Lund, Steve Stankovic, Marion Titus, Elwood Guisewhite, Bud Wilkin, James Cotton and Louis Geeza. Photo courtesy of Lt. Col. Joseph A. Gibbs (Ret.).
The cooks of A Company. Shown in front, L to R is Ruzich and Engel. Second row L to R is Galligher, Lininger, Milligan and Grim. A Filipino boy peeps his head up at rear. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
A large municipal building with tower was used by the Japanese, as an observation post. Allied artillery damaged it severly. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
Pfc. Frank L. Carran sits atop his LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked). Note the camouflage paint design on the unit. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
Frank L. Carran on left with Robert Stange, looking like they are about to take a swim. This was obviously during one of their down-times. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
Jerry Kayser on left with Frank L. Carran on right. Frank was a member of Company A and it's probable that Jerry was in A Company also. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
Frank L. Carran on left with his assistant driver, William Bigelow on right. The back of the photo mentions that this photo was taken just after a raid on the enemy. Frank also mentions that they "Caught the enemy with the pants down." The photo is taken from the back of the LVT and shows all the room inside the tractor, used for personnel or equipment. Provided courtesy of Art Carran.
A photo of two members of Frank L. Carran's crew on the LVT. Courtesy of Art Carran.
A crewmember taking a peak out the hatch of one of the unit's LVTs. Frank's note on the back mentions that the water could be a little rough to drive through. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
A photo of some of the people rescued during the raid on the Los Baños Internment Camp. The raid took place on the morning of February 23, 1945. 2147 allied civilian and military internees were liberated during the raid. Provided courtesy of Art Carran.
A photo of William Bigelow who was from Altoona, PA. Frank Carran identifies him as his assistant driver and radio operator. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
An unknown soldier on top of one of the unit's LVTs. Note the label of "death", next to the unit's machine gun. Although not identified, he was probably a member of A Company. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
Frank Carran stands on far right, poised with an M3 submachine gun. The other two soldiers look like they are holding M1 Carbines. Photo courtesy of Art Carran.
The photo was taken at Luzon, Philippines, while the 672nd was stationed there. The only man identified is Cpl. Max E. Little, who is standing in the back row, centered. Provided courtesy of Max E. Little, Jr.
Shown is Lee Harris on left with Hugh Welter on right doing some work on their LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked). The units were also know as Amtracs. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The man in the center is identified as Baker with two Filipinos. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The 672nd's bivouac area (temporay camp) located in San Fabian, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A view of Bougainville Island, Papua new Guinea. Photo courtest of Jacques Welter.
An image of a destroyed bridge in the City of Vigan, on the Island of Luzon, Philippines. Note the pontoon bridge now used for crossing the river. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The "Company" street of the 672nd while they were stationed on the Island of Morotai in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo taken while crossing the Dagupan River on the Island of Luzon, Philippines. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of a destroyed finance building. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo taken in 1945, shows a destroyed residence in the city of Manila, Philippines. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Here General Douglas MacArthur surveys the situation four days after the start of the Battle of North Borneo, code-named Operation Oboe Six. The battle began on June 10, 1945, led primarily by Australian 9th Division troops. The General actually accompanied troops on the assault of Labuan, which is located just off the coast of northwestern Borneo. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Barely visible in the distance is the unit's first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. The 672nd arrived back in the U.S., on December 24, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The 672nd starts the first leg of their journey home, shown here in Tarlac, Central Luzon, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Little remains of what was formerly the Japanese barracks on Borneo. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Five of the men pose with a captured Japanese flag. The men are identified as George, Norman, Fred, James and Jim. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
This photo is identified as H+1 or one minute into the assault landings on the port city of Balikpapan, on the Island of Borneo. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Another shot of the Balikpapan, Borneo landings, at the 10 minute point. Troops exit the LVTs that transported them to shore. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Shown is Hugh J. Welter Jr., on left with a friend sharing the KP (Kitchen Patrol) duties while stationed at Fort Ord, California. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Hugh J. Welter Jr. stands on left with a buddy off Morotai, Indonesia. Photo courtesy Jacques Welter.
A great day for a bike ride for Hugh J. Welter Jr. shown in center, with two friends at Fort Ord, California. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Hugh J. Welter Jr. boards the USS Pueblo on his way to the South Pacific. The ship had just been commissioned on April 7, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Shown is Peter Considore and a group of men from the 672nd, patiently waiting for arrival at their next station. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Hugh J. Welter Jr. sports a stylish life vest during landing exercises at Fort Ord, California. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Hugh J. Welter Jr. is shown on far left with a couple of unnamed soldiers on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Hugh J. Welter Jr. stands somewhat out of uniform on the main Company Street in Cabanatuan, Luzon Island, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Shown on left is Lee Harris with Hugh J. Welter Jr. on right. You can see their LVT in the background. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Here Hugh J. Welter Jr's LVT named "Baby" after it had been turned in at the City of San Fernando, Luzon Island, Philippines. Phopto courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A group of hungry Filipinos receive some much needed food in Pasay City, which is located in the greater Manila metropolitan area. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of San Francisco Bay as the 672nd sails toward the South Pacific. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Shown is a view of the historic "Walled City" of Intramuros, which is located within the modern City of Manila. The photo was taken looking from North to East and shows the incredible amount of destruction caused in the conflict. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
One of the Japanese beach defenses probably destroyed by allied shelling prior to their landing. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A shot of the Golden Gate Bridge as the 672nd leaves the San Francisco Bay. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of Lee Harris taken at San Fabian, which is a municipality along the western coast of Luzon Island, Philippians. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of four men from the 672nd, probably taken while on leave from the Fort Ord military post, in the bordering city of Monterey. Show L to R is Lee Harris, Bill Stafford, Ernest Chandler and Hugh J. Welter Jr. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The severely damaged legislative building in Manila, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Another shot of the legislative building from a different angle show the destruction wasn't limited to a single side of the building. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of what is left of Letran College in Manila. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Loading the LSTs (Landing Ship Tank), which were designed to carry tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore with no docks or piers. This particular loading was in preparations for the "Oboe II" assault on Borneo. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A not-so-clear photo of L to R, Milligan, Mentzar and Baker, along with two Filipino natives, one in front and one in back. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of the damage sustained along the main street in Dagupan, Philippians. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Shown is Motor Officer, P.J. Neuman on left with Company Commander, Captain Paul Raymond, on right, standing with some of the local beverages. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
In interesting shot of the motor pool with each of the unit's LVTs parked neatly in line. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
On board the USS Pueblo sits Swede Bratsberg and Red Shearer. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A difficult to see image of men and equipment on an LST, moving to their new post in Lingayan. Lingayan is located on the Island of Luzon, Philippians. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Men and their personal gear prepare to load on the USS Pueblo. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Another shot of the men standing on the San Francisco pier, preparing to load on the USS Pueblo. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
On an unknown train, stands L to R, Griffin, Hugh J. Welter Jr., and Gasque Norris. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
On the transport between Islands, the men can see Bougainville Island, which is the main island of Papua New Guinea. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The men are gathered on deck as the leave the San Francisco Bay and their last site of the U.S. shore for quite some time. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
An interesting shot as the ship and the men go underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A very damaged Pier 7 in Manila Bay. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The destroyed Quezon Bridge in Manila, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of what is described as the unit's "deluxe" showers used while the unit was stationed at San Fabian, in the Philippines. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A make-shift outdoor movie house, equipped with screen, projection booth and rows of seating for the men. This is another effort to provide a bit of relaxation amidst the tensions of war. This photo was also taken at San Fabian in the Philippines. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Shown is the San Fabian Night Club and Day-room with Barstead and B. Pinger playing a game of horseshoes. When the men were not on duty, they were able to visit the establishment and purchase some refreshments, play a game and listen to a bit of music to pass the time. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Servicing the "tracs" while on Morotai, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
Smitty is shown on left and Owens is kneeling with his pet monkey. The monkey looks like he may be wearing a small hat. Taken while stationed on Cabanatuan in the Philippines. Cabanatuan was the site of "The Great Raid" on a Japanese prison camp where over 500 allied prisoners were liberated on January 30, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A photo of the home used as the battalion Headquarters in Pasay, Manila. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The men's tent camp on Cabanatuan, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A difficult to see image of the men turning in their LVT (Amtrac or Amphibious Tractor) units. It's hard to tell but I believe these units to be the LVT-4 version. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
While stationed on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, an unknown soldier stands with his gun. Courtesy of Jacques Welter.
An unknown soldier at Fort Ord, California. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
An unknown soldier on Morotai Island in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
An unknown swimmer at Fort Ord, California. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
An unknown soldier during swim training at Fort Ord, California. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
The USAT Puebla docked at San Fernando in the Philippines, Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
A view through the porthole of the SS Mormacsea, which was a merchant freighter, obviously now equipped to carry troops. Photo courtesy of Jacques Welter.
