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4th
Armored Division
(Page 2)
Looking for more information from military/civilian
personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army
in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any
stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.
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Main Page
CC "A" / 1st Bde
CC "B" / 2nd Bde
CC "C" / 3rd Bde
DivArty
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4th Bn, 35th Arm
2nd Bn, 37th Arm
3rd Bn, 37th Arm
2nd Bn, 66th Arm
2nd Bn, 67th Arm
2nd ARB, 41st Inf
2nd Bn, 51st Inf
1st Bn, 54th Inf
2nd Bn, 14th Arty
2nd Bn, 16th Arty
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Combat Command "A" / 1st Brigade |
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Combat Command "A" |
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1958 |
(Source: 4th Armored Division Yearbook 1958) |
ORGANIZATION (1958): |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Company |
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Wiley Bks, Neu Ulm |
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2nd MTB, 66th Arm |
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Fliegerhorst Ksn, Leipheim |
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2nd ARB, 41st Inf |
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Wiley Bks, Neu Ulm |
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2nd ARB, 51st Inf |
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Ford Bks, Ulm |
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1st BRIGADE |
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1969 |
(Source: July 31 1969 issue of the ROLLING REVIEW) |
ORGANIZATION (July 1969): |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Company |
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Storck Bks, Illesheim |
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4th Bn, 35th Arm |
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Storck Bks, Illesheim |
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1st Bn, 37th Arm |
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Hindenburg Ksn, Ansbach |
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1st Bn, 51st Inf |
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McKee Bks, Crailsheim |
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2nd Bn, 51st Inf |
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Storck Bks, Illesheim |
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Combat Command "B" / 2nd Brigade |
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CC "B" Headquarters building, Ferris Barracks, Erlangen, 1958 |
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Combat Command "B" |
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1958 |
(Source: 4th Armored Division Yearbook 1958) |
ORGANIZATION (1958): |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Company |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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1st MTB, 35th Arm |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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2nd MTB, 67th Arm 1) |
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Monteith Bks, Fürth |
redes 2nd Bn, 37th Arm |
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2nd ARB, 50th Inf |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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2nd Rcn Sq, 15th Cav 2) |
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O'Brien Bks, Schwabach |
redes 2nd Sq, 4th Cav |
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(Source: Army Lineage Series: Armor-Cavalry, Part 1, 1974)
1) 2nd MTB, 67th Arm was relieved from assignment to 4th Armd Div on 1 July 1963 and transferred (less personnel and equipment) from Germany to Fort Hood, Texas. In effect, the battalion at Fürth was reorganized on 1 July 1963 but not redesignated as 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor until 23 August 1963 (a battalion previously assigned to the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood.) Can anybody confirm or correct this?
2) 2nd Rcn Sq, 15th Cav was replaced by 2nd Squadron, 4th Cavalry on 1 Aug 1963. (2nd Sq, 4th Cav, was concurrently relieved from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea and transferred (less personnel and equipment) to USAREUR and assigned to the 4th Armd Div.) |
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2nd BRIGADE |
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1969 |
(Source: July 31 1969 issue of the ROLLING REVIEW) |
ORGANIZATION (July 1969): |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Company |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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1st Bn, 35th Arm |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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2nd Bn, 37th Arm |
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Monteith Bks, Fürth |
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3rd Bn, 37th Arm |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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3rd Bn, 51st Inf |
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Ferris Bks, Erlangen |
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(Source: STARS & STRIPES, March 21, 1970) |
An article about 2nd Brigade opening its annual training at Hohenfels with a brigade-level FTX, lists the brigade's units as: 1st Bn, 35th Armor; 3rd Bn, 37th Armor; and 3rd Bn, 51st Inf.
2nd Bn, 37th Armor must have been reassigned to 3rd Bde sometime between Aug 1969 and early 1970. Or, the listing in the July 31, 1969 issue of the ROLLING REVIEW (above) was inaccurate. |
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Combat Command "C" / 3rd Brigade |
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Combat Command "C" |
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HHC, CC "C" in formation in front of Headquarters building, McKee Barracks
, c. 1958 |
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1958 |
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, March 14, 1958) |
In March (starting on the 13th), Headquarters of Combat Comd "C" moved from Wharton Bks, Heilbronn to McKee Bks, Crailsheim. The move included combat services attached to CC C.
Several smaller units that previously were stationed at Regensburg, Munich and Crailsheim were moved to Wharton Bks to occupy the space vacated by Combat Comd C Hq. |
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(Source: 4th Armored Division Yearbook 1958) |
ORGANIZATION (1958): |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Company |
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McKee Bks, Crailsheim |
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1st MTB, 37th Arm |
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McKee Bks, Crailsheim |
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1st ARB, 54th Inf |
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Wharton Bks, Heilbronn |
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Generals Truman (CG VII Corps) and Franklin (CG 4th Armd Div) at
a
ceremony
at Cooke Barracks in Göppingen, 1963 (Jack Reynolds) |
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1963 |
(Source: Email from Jack Reynolds) |
Combat Comd "C" moved from McKee Bks, Crailsheim to Warner Bks, Bamberg in late 1963 and became 3rd Brigade.
Commanding officers were Colonels (John M.) Gaustad and (James L.) Baldwin. Baldwin became a Major General and served in Viet Nam.
I served as a draftsmen and Colonel’s sedan driver during my time from 1963 to 1965. |
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1. 1st echelon maint |
2 What's for dinner? |
3. Hohenfels |
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3rd BRIGADE |
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1969 |
(Source: July 31 1969 issue of the ROLLING REVIEW) |
ORGANIZATION (July 1969): |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Company |
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Warner Bks, Bamberg |
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3rd Bn, 35th Arm |
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Warner Bks, Bamberg |
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1st Bn, 54th Inf |
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Warner Bks, Bamberg |
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2nd Bn, 54th Inf |
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Warner Bks, Bamberg |
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(Source: STARS & STRIPES, March 6, 1970) |
An article on MISPC (1) and TGQC (2) training recently undertaken by 3rd Brigade at Grafenwoehr, indicates that 3rd Brigade also included 2nd Bn, 37th Armor at this time.
Another article appearing in the April 22, 1970 issue of S&S seems to confirm this.
(1) Mechanized Infantry Squad Proficiency Course
(2) Tank Gunnery Qualification Cources |
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4th Armored Division
Artillery |
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Crests of the 4th Armored Division Artillery units, 1960 |
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Honest John launcher of "A" Battery during an open house held at Ferris Bks in 1967 (Weldon Ballard) |
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Additional DivArty equipment (M-109 and M-110 on far right) at the open house (Weldon Ballard) |
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1960 |
(Source: Artillery Handbook, US Army Infantry School, 1960) |
Armd Div Arty, 1960
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UNIT DESIGNATION |
LOCATION |
COMMENTS |
2nd How Bn (105mm)(SP), 14th Arty |
Fürth |
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1st How Bn (105mm)(SP), 22nd Arty |
Zirndorf |
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2nd How Bn (105mm)(SP), 78th Arty |
Crailsheim |
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2nd FA Bn (Rkt/How), 16th Arty |
Schwäbisch Gmünd |
A Btry -- 155mm How
B Btry -- 155mm How
C Btry -- 8in How
D Btry -- Honest John |
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DivArty ROAD Changes (1963) |
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1963 |
(Source: Email from David D. Caveny) |
I was a Radio-Teletype operator with the 4th Armd Div. I arrived at Cooke Barracks about 17 Oct 1963 as a private E-2 and was assigned to DivArty in Furth but detatched to the G-3 Air at HQ and HQ Company 4AD in Goeppingen.
Our Division commander was Maj Gen John M Franklin Jr who was a martinet. He was replaced by Maj Gen Searle who was a soldier's General and one hell of a commander, not at all like Franklin.
Later those of US who provided signal support to the G-3 Air and the ALO and ran Corps Command Net One were transfered to Company A, 144th Signal Bn at Cooke Barracks. That moved entailed moving from HQ Co 4AD to Co A 144th Sig Bn 3 barracks toward the front gate.
I made SGT E-5 in January 1966. Those were the days of 4 DM/ $1.00 and gemuetlichkeit!
On 6 Jun 1966 I was transferred from Germany in the LBJ buildup of troops for Vietnam and was assigned to 587th Signal Company (Spt) at Fort Irwin CA. We then were sent to Cu Chi Vietnam to support the 25th Infantry |
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1967 |
(Source: USAREUR STATION LIST, 30 June 1967) |
ORGANIZATION: |
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UNIT |
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STATION |
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Hq/Hqs Battery |
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Pinder Bks, Zirndorf |
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2nd How Bn, 14th Arty (1) |
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Monteith Bks, Fürth |
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2nd Rkt Bn, 16th Arty (3) |
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Pinder Bks, Zirndorf |
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1st How Bn, 22nd Arty (1) |
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Pinder Bks, Zirndorf |
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2nd How Bn, 78th Arty (1) |
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Warner Bks, Bamberg |
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1st How Bn, 94th Arty (2) |
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W.O. Darby Ksn, Fürth |
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(1) 155mm SP |
(2) 155mm / 8in SP |
(3) Honest John |
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MISCELLANEOUS
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, March 11, 1970)
2nd Bn, 14th Arty stationed at Merrell Barracks at this time? |
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2nd Battalion, 14th Artillery |
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2nd Bn, 14th Artillery DUI |
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1960 |
(Source: Charles "Charlie" Brown, "C" Btry, 2nd Bn, 14th FA, 1960-63) |
I was looking at your website, and find no mention of 2nd Howitzer Bn SP, 14th Artillery, 4th Armored Div., Monteith Barracks, Fuerth, Germany. It was there I know from 1958- 1966.
I was with "C" Battery, 14th Artillery from Nov 1960 - March 1963. Our barracks were around the corner from the # 1 Hanger you have identified in your aerial photo on the Fürth Army Airfield Page.
In that hanger was a USO club on one end, a gymnasium in the center and a "snack bar" on the other end.
I think I have that correct. I remember when I had about 5 days left before I shipped out back to the States, walking in the gym and there was a basketball game that nite. Everyone that was there in my battery stood up and said "how many days, shortimer"? It hit me then, I was going to miss those guys, but I was not going to miss the trips to Graf and them damn alerts!
I have identified in the above photo of Monteith what I remember as the 14th Artillery Battery locations:
"MH" was the mess hall for A & C Batteries. (I don’t remember where the mess hall was for B & SVC Batteries.)
Also identified is BN Hdqtrs for the 14th, the football field, which also served as a parade field if needed.
The hangar where the gym, snack bar, & the USO were located.
And the barracks of the subordinate batteries: "A", "B", "C" , and "SVC" As for the 14th mission, we were part of the 4th Armd Div, with the 67th Armor Battalion, 4th Armd Div being there at Monteith also. I do remember occasionally doing some border patrol along the Czech border. We also said “if the ballon ever goes up, It’s us they get first”. We knew if there was a conflict there was probably never any way we would survive as we were the first line of defense.
That was a long time ago and a lot has certainly changed since then. I was there when the wall went up in Berlin in 1961 and I was there during the Cuban Missile Crisis in late 1962. Things were kind of “on edge" during both of those incidents. Hope this helps you in your project. |
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2nd Battalion, 16th Artillery |
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Annotated map for Bismarck Kaserne, Schwäbisch Gmünd, around 1963
(Click on map to view higher resolution map) |
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2nd Bn, 16th Artillery DI |
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1962 |
(Source: Email from George Baker, 2nd Bn, 16th FA then 1st Bn, 94th FA, 1962-1965) |
I was stationed at Bismarck Kaserne, Schwäbisch Gmünd from October 1962 until March 1965 with the artillery units stationed there with the 4th AD.
When I arrived in October 1962, the unit assigned there was the 2nd Battalion, 16th FA. It had 3 batteries (A, B & C) of SP 155 guns (M44) and one battery (D) of SP 8” guns (M55). I was assigned to D Battery.
Sometime in 1963 the 16th was deactivated and we were reactivated as the 1st Battalion 94th FA.
At about the same time we received the M110 SP 8” guns and the 155 batteries were re-equipped with the M109.
The Pershing Unit was stationed at Hardt Kaserne while I was there |
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1963 |
(Source: Email from Larry W. McLerran) |
I have been meaning to send you the information on a small part of history of this unit, but have finally got together a chronological account of its time at Pinder Barracks, Zirndorf, Germany. This is according to the USAREUR Origination Records (Active Army Units, Station List) from the period.
Your information on the website in the 4th Armored Division Records lists the unit at Schwab Gmuend, which it was until March of 1963. The unit consisted of Batteries, A,B,C,D,HH & SV (16 FA BN 2nd RKT HOW) Area Code 52 (= Southern Area Command), APO 326.
The website does not include the years the unit spent at PINDER Barracks. This is a period of 8 years, from its formation, until its move to Merrell Barracks and ultimate deactivation.
I was assigned to 1st BN 41st FA Missile, Kitzingen Area 51 (= Northern Area Command) APO 36, June 2, 1963, after arriving on the USNS Upshur, Bremerhaven, Germany, May 29, 1963. Upon arriving in Kitzingen and reporting, I was advised by a Captain, to return on June 3rd, because orders needed to be cut for my reassignment, due to the fact the 41st was rotating back to the States and all personnel with more than six months to ETS, would be assigned to other units. The rotation of the 41st is not covered in your website. It was not a Gyroscope move, but a deactivation, upon rotation. My orders were to join the group of 41st personnel moving to Pinder Barracks to form the 16th Arty? Since the 1/41st was an Honest John unit, we would take all equipment from the 41st to form the unit at Pinder Barracks.
So, when we arrived at Pinder, we were assigned the section of barracks in front of the AMMO Dump, facing the Parade Field, between HQ 4th Armored Division Artillery (the Post Host) and HQ 1st Battalion 22nd Artillery (SP105's). Our billet had been vacated by Units of the 22nd Artillery, to make room for the 16th.
From what I can tell from your website and USAREUR Records, the 16 FA BN 2nd RKT HOW, Schwab GD, no longer existed after the Station List of March 1963, or the 1st 41st Missile, at Kitzingen. The Station Records of December 1963 reflect the 16th FA BN 2nd MSL, Batteries HQ, A & B, at Pinder Barracks, after that date.
I was assigned to HQ Battery, first floor and Batteries A and B were on floor 2 & 3. The basement housed Rifle Storage and S4. The Unit was assigned the Motor pool section by the Mess hall and Dispensary, with the Comm.. Section by the Mess hall. We were the FIRST soldiers to occupy Pinder with the 16th Arty Crest. All Launchers and support equipment were parked in the Motor pool Square. I do not remember if sections of the Unit at Schwab GD were assigned to us, and I don't remember any equipment or personnel joining us from that location?
I was stationed at Pinder from June of 1963 until August of 1965. The Unit spent a lot of time in the field, mostly at Grafenwoehr. I was a Radio Teletype Operator MOS 053.20 and I spent time TDY at the Comm. Center at 4th Armored Arty. I also attended the 4th Armored NCO Academy at New Ulm.
The Station List of December 1969 shows the 14 FA BN 2nd 155MM SP HQ,A,B,C,SVC at Merrell Barracks, Nurnberg and the 16 FA BN 2nd, HH,A,B at Pinder Barracks, Zirndorf.
The Station List of September 1970 shows the 14 FA BN 2nd 155MM SP HQ,A,B,C,SVC at Pinder Barracks, Zirndorf and the 16 FA BN 2nd, HH,A,B at Merrell Barracks, Nurnberg. (A swap)
The Station List of July 1973 Show the 17 FA BN 3rd SP, HQ,A,B,C,SVC at Merrell Barracks, Nurnberg and NO listing for the 16th FA after that date.
This follows your website information on the deactivation of the 16th FA in March of 1973. Many Honest John Units were retired and some Units were re-equipped and converted to the LANCE (missile system). Thus reducing the Station List.
Pinder Barracks over the span of years, like all kaserns, has had many units assigned. This was the norm for the Army as it positioned itself to defend Western Europe during the Cold War.
You have spent an amazing amount of time to reconstruct this period, so it is up to some of us who visit the Site to help supply information on that time. I have always been puzzled by the fact that few personnel form that 8 year period at Pinder respond to their time at the 16th Arty. Maybe its a vacuum between the pre-computer years of the Cold War and the present, or could it be that we were not as important as other Units stationed there? Maybe the numbers have thinned to the point where there is no one left to remember, sad?
Some of the Officers, NCO's and Enlisted:
LTC. Helgrin - BN CO
Maj. Skidmore - XO
Cpt. Milsak - HQ
Cpt. DeWeese - HQ
Cpt. Wendt - B Bt.
Lt. Howard - B Bt.
Lt. Pollard - HQ
Lt. Keith - A Bt.
Lt. Isley - A Bt.
Mr. Walls - Maint
1st. Sgt. Winger - B Bt.
SFC Mays - S4
SFC Kenji - Survey
SFC White - Comm
SSG Baker - Comm
SSG Lawson - Maint
SSG Pruitt - Survey
Sgt. Bloom - B Bt.
Sgt. Gault - Cook
SP4 Tamm - S4
SP4 Waddell - S4
SP4 Heisey - Maint
SP4 Fife - Maint
SP4 Roman - Mailroom
SP4 Steves (Rod) - B Bt. Survey
Hope this helps to add to the site and clear up the picture on part of the 16th Arty's Mission in Europe, during the Cold War!
"MACTE NOVA VIRTUTE" (Go Forth With New Strength)
CMSgt Larry W McLerran (Ret)
UPDATE
Here is a note to clarify a portion of the website, I gave you some years ago.
On the 4th Armored Division Arty Info (page 2) you posted my info on the 2nd 16th Arty section of the 4th Armored Artillery. If you read the statements, I say, “I didn’t know if any personnel or equipment was assigned to us from the original Unit posted in Schwabisch Gmund”, in June, 1963. Upon deactivation of that unit, HJ Unit personnel and equipment from SG were assigned to us at Pinder to form “B Battery”. “A Battery” was formed from the personnel from the HJ Unit sent from the 1st Battalion 41st Artillery, at Kissingen. Also, the Command Structure and personnel of HQ, Maintenance and the Supply were from the 41st.
I don’t have any information of the dispursement of the 105mm, 155mm, or 8in Arty pieces that SG had on deactivation, but it was probably reassigned to other units with that TO&E, or used to form another Unit? Check Station List December 1963.
I verified the info from SP4 Carl Heisey, from Maintenance, in the 2nd 16th Arty. I just wanted to get the record straight, while I was thinking about it! Thanks for your website, it sure is great to be able to access it and bring back the memories.
My wife and I returned to Nurnberg, Furth and Zirndorf in 2010. Things have sure changed and much is gone, as I remember it. Some is still recognizable, like “Bubs Café” (Gasthaus) in Zirndorf and still owned by the same family, but Pinder Barracks, is now “Pinder Park”, a housing development.
Any other NEW info about Pinder would be appreciated, if you get it. Keep up the good work. |
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4th Battalion, 35th Armor |
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Tank crew of B Company, after winning at the 4th Armd Div TCQC in 1965.
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1965 |
(Source: Email from Bobby Revels) |
Revels & Frasure |
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Trying to find maybe some old Co. B buddies. I kept in touch with 3 or 4 for a lot of years but some have passed on.
My tank crew won 2nd place (at division) in the TCQC in 1965 at Graf. I was the gunner. The white tank painted on the turret & the year 1965 under it was kinda our prize to show that we won in the TCQC. We also were presented with a large silver trophy for display at our company level and we each received a small trophy. I do remember reading in the S&S a short story of our 2nd place division score. (I was 21 at the time.) |
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One other thing - General Surlls came by to congratulate us and to give each of us a promotion except to the tank commander. I made E-5 and was converted in 1966 to Sergeant E-5.
In 1966 the 1st Infantry kinda moved in and took over with more troops than our armor guys of only around 900 men. They built new brick condo type barracks on our airfield and also changed our gate sign.
I'll put in a couple pics. I saw the one on you site from 1967.
I left in 1966 however the E-5 with this PFC was there in 1966. He was an RA. He was standing there at Company B in the photo. |
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1967 |
(Source: Email from Dennis Reel, brother of the late Nathan Reel, 35th Tank Bn, 1967-69) |
I love this web site. My brother, Nathan K. Reel, of Salisbury, NC was in the 4th Armd. Div. in the late 1967-1969 timeframe. I'm not exactly sure of the dates, but I do know that my mother was relieved that he didn't go to Vietnam. He passed away unexpectedly 2 years ago at the age of 54.
I know that he really loved the unit. His rank was Spec 4 and he was a driver of an M-60 tank with Company B, 35th Bn, 4th A.D. This I know for certain. I have a map he brought back of West Germany at the time, he circled an area that looks to be just a few miles southwest of the town of Windsheim between Reichelsheim and Oberdachstetten. (Webmaster Note: that would have been Storck Barracks at Illesheim). He circled this area and made a black dot on the map. I assume this is where he was stationed at.
I do remember him telling me about the Czechoslovakia incident that he was ordered along with all of his tank company to the border in 1968. He said that they actually thought that we were about to go to war. The only time in his life that he was actually worried about it.
I remember finding information for him online showing how that the 4th was under the overall command of 3rd Army Gen. George S. Patton Jr. during WWII. He was very interested in the history of the 4th. And I enjoyed learning from him about it as well as helping him to learn more about it.
I'm going to attach a photo of him from that time period. I would really enjoy hearing from anyone that may have served with him (you can contact Dennis at deno4reel(at)aol.com). |
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35th Tank Bn
Illesheim, Germany |
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1. Nathan in front of barracks |
2. Clowning around (Nathan on right) |
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2nd Battalion, 37th Armor |
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37th Armor Regiment DUI |
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1968 |
(Source: Email from John Bogardus, 2nd Bn, 37th Arm, 1968-1970) |
I served with the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor, 4th Armored Division (Montieth Barracks) from 1968 to 1970. |
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1968 Tank Crew Qualification Course Patch
This patch was issued for Qualification on Table VIII for tank units to be combat ready. This patch could be sewn on your field jacket right pocket or on your utility shirt right pocket.
The Qualification course was held at Grafenwoehr Training Area. |
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Copy of Certificate of Proficiency awarded to Sp5 Bogardus, TCQC 1969 |
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Co B, 2nd Bn, 37th Arm 1969
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Co B, 2nd Bn, 37th Arm 1970 |
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2nd Bn, 37th Arm
Monteith Bks |
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1. Colonel's Orderly
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2. Grafenwoehr 1970
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3. Company Commander's driver
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4. Post headquarters
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5. Post theater
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6. Company clerk
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7. On road to Tennenlohe
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8. Tank convoy on Autobahn
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9. Arms room, Graf
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10. Railhead operations
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11. Orderly Room
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12. Hohenfels
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13. 504th Repl Co, Cooke Bks
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14. 504th Repl Co, Cooke Bks
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3rd Battalion, 37th Armor |
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4th Armor Group |
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L-19 liaison aircraft and armored vehicles of 3rd Bn, 37th Armor
at Conn Bks, Schweinfurt, early 1960s (Webmaster's collection) |
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37th Armor Regiment DUI |
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Webmaster notes: 3rd Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor was activated on May 1 1958 in Germany, replacing the 714th Tank Battalion that was inactivated concurrently.
The Battalion was stationed at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt and assigned to the 4th Armor Group in Frankfurt.
On June 17 1963, the Battalion was relieved from assignment to the 4th Armor Gp and reassigned to the 4th Armored Division. No change in station.
On August 1 1963, the Battalion was redesignated as 3rd Battalion, 37th Armor.
The 3-37th Armor Battalion moved to Crailsheim around 1964 and moved once more, this time to Erlangen, around 1966.
If anyone can provide more details (specific dates?) on these moves, please contact the webmaster. |
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1959 |
(Source: Email from George Guscott, 3rd MTB, 37th Armor, 1959-61) |
I was stationed at Conn Barracks from Nov 1959 - Apr 1961 assigned to Charlie Co., 3rd Medium Tank Bn, 37th Armor, as a tank driver.
Conn Barracks, as I remember it, also had an MP Co. and an Artillery unit stationed there.
There were bi-monthly trips to the field training area where we played war games against an unseen enemy!
Prior to WINTER SHIELD I, which we participated in, we loaded our tanks on flat cars for the train ride to Grafenwhoer. It was the US ARMY against the GERMAN ARMY (what there was of it) AND the British Forces stationed in Germany. Two weeks of running around in the woods and fields, it was glorious. However not without tragedy. We lost two maintenance personnel and one trooper due to accidents.
Back to Conn Barracks and several weeks of repairing equipment getting ready for a trip to the tank gunnery range in Belsen, Bergen-Hohne area. This was a ten week stint that all the armored personnel in Europe came to hone their gunnery abilities. On weekends we were able to visit the huge grave area and gas chambers left over from the war.
I became company training nco after Grafenwhoer and had access to a huge library of Army war films which I would requisition and show during week nights to entertain the company troops and whoever wanted to watch. Some very gruesome films depicting the freeing of war prisoners and burying the dead.
Company officers were Capt Robert R Perkins, Lt Merwyn L Jackson, Lt. Donovan, Mst Martin, and many ncos. I can remember several of their names and friends of mine that served in Charlie Co. many of who have long passed. |
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4th Armored Division |
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2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, 41st Infantry |
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2nd Battalion, 51st Infantry, Ford Kaserne, Ulm, 1960 |
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2nd Battalion, 51st Infantry, Ford Kaserne, Ulm, 1960 |
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1958 |
(Source: Email from Bill Perry, son of Sgt. Maj. B.D. Perry) |
Wiley Barracks was home to Combat Command A (CCA) of the 4th Armored Division. My father arrived there in 1959 with the 2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, 41st Infantry.
The unit was later redesignated as 1st Battalion, 51st Infantry.
He was a Staff Sergeant (E-6) and a Davey Crockett Nuclear Mission Platoon Sergeant. This was the only time US Army infantry units in fact had nuclear weapons at their disposal.
I recall my father saying during the Berlin Crisis, 7th Army command in Heidelberg had release partial nuclear codes required to in fact deploy these weapons. My father and other Davey Crockett capable units in Germany were forward deploying in the event of a Soviet attack over Berlin.
High drama back in the day.
He would marry a local German girl and I arrived in 1961, born at the Augsburg Army Hospital. They were remarried 48 years, my father passed in 2009 as a retired Command Sergeant Major. He retired in 1979 at Fort Knox.
I would attend my entire third grade (69 / 70) at the Neu-Ulm American Elementary School (grades 1 – 6) while my father served with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam during his second tour. |
2nd ARB, 41st Inf
Neu Ulm |
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1. FTX
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2. Vorfeld Housing
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3. Vorfeld Housing
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2nd Battalion, 51st Infantry |
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2nd Battalion, 51st Infantry, Ford Kaserne, Ulm, 1960 |
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Mechanized Infantry - 2nd Bn, 51st Inf, Ulm, c. 1963 (Billy Robinson) |
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1958 |
(Source: Email from Bruce W. McMullan) |
Stumbled upon your website thanks to Google and was brought back fifty years by tales of my outfit stationed in Ulm. Like most of that period, I was drafted on May 8, 1957 and after orientation, getting outfitted in the latest style of fatigues, and watching the WAC's drill at Fort Jackson S.C. was shipped off by air to Fort Hood Texas.
I was assigned to "D" Company, 2nd ARB, 51st Infantry, 4th Armoured Division, which was scheduled to "gyro" to Germany at the end of November. Following basic, including rifle training in the full Texas sun in June and July, I was sent to 3rd Corps NCO School while my colleagues went through advanced basic training. I was first in my class and was immediately given acting stripes and made a squad leader since they were desperately short of NCO's.
Shortly before Thanksgiving we had a major inspection of our barracks and our men, many of who passed out when called from an at ease position in which they had stood for well over an hour to attention....much dropping of rifles, etc.
Shipped out via Fort Dix NJ and the Brooklyn Naval Terminal aboard the USS Maurice Rose. Instead of going up the English Channel we went North by way of the North Sea to Bremerhaven through a typical late Fall North Sea storm. I'd guess that those of us who did dot puke our way to Germany was a slim minority.
Originally we were assigned to Boelke Kaserne in Ulm (a lot of confusion since our original posting was to be in Worms). Our armor did not arrive for at least two more weeks so we did our daily alert drills in the middle of the night using deuce-and-a-half trucks to take us from the barracks to the operational fields. Other than waking up our German neighbors, and tearing up into mud a number of German farms, we were accepted by the locals. However, when our armor arrived and we sped out on alert we destroyed the curbs, trolley tracks, and good humour of the locals. Hence by the beginning of 1958 we were moved to Ford Barracks from which we simply crossed the road to dirt trails leading to our alert area.
From January until April 1 we were on maneuvers (Sabre Hawk) and saw a lot of Southern Germany from the vents of our APC's. Finally were at Grafenwoehr before returning to base. Unfortunately my Mother died on the 1st of April so I was shipped home for her funeral (which is why I do not appear in the group photo of our company in the 1958 Yearbook which was taken when I was on bereavement leave.).
Shipped back to Germany on another troop ship which this time did go via the channel, and was a much smoother ride. This after picking up another gyro division in Savannah GA. Since I was "casual" I got to eat in a real mess with waiters and everything except booze...just like a cruise ship.
More fun and games over the summer including a stay at that other training area near Regensburg. That's where we were when problems broke out in Lebanon. Our battalion CO who was a light Colonel wanted to make a point (and get himself promoted to full bird) volunteered for us to go. Too bad for him that the Marines had already shipped armored infantry beat him to the punch.
So they had us return to Ulm and then proceed to Bad Tolz (about 80 km south of Munich) without our armor. Nice gig. Every day we took helicopters at tree top level over the Alps. We were dropped off and told to search for any evidence of the "Special Forces" who had parachuted into the area (the original Green Berets). Obviously they were too smart for us (although we did find some hidden parachutes etc) but we always found a nice Gasthaus where we could stack our arms, drink beer all day, and at the appointed hour return to the LZ to get a ride back to our bivouac area.
Late in the year our company commander, a Capt. and the third CO we had had in 18 month held a meeting of all of the NCO's in the company to find out why morale was dragging. I was foolish enough to suggest that the assignment of shit details was falling more on the backs of blacks than on whites (my squad was mostly black). This was five or six years before the civil rights movement really started to be noticed.
As a result I was assigned to a different platoon with a Sergeant from Muleshoe, Texas (Do I need to draw you a picture of how that relationship worked out?) Anyhow, I applied for early discharge to return to school (graduate work at Yale) and was shipped home in January1959 again on the USS Maurice Rose. Many of my colleagues who served out their full two years were caught in the recall in 1961 when the Berlin Wall went up. I happily missed that (although I did a lovely two week summer camp in tic infested Pennsylvania. |
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1960 |
The protagonist of some of the photos that I recently acquired seems to be a Pvt Drayton of the 2nd ARB, 51st Inf at Ford Bks, Ulm in 1960 -
does anybody remember him? |
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1962 |
(Source: Email from Billy Robinson, 2nd Bn, 51st Inf, 1962-1965) |
I was stationed with the 2nd Bn 51st Inf from 1962 until 1965.
I have a few pictures I would love to share. |
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1963 |
(Source: Email from Bill Black, HHC, 2nd Bn, 51st Inf, 1963-1965) |
Glad I found your site. I was stationed at Ford (Barracks) Kaserne in Ulm, Germany from Jan 1963 til May 1965 at HQ/HQ Co 2nd Bn, 51st INF, 4th ARM DIV as the Chaplain's Asistant under Chaplain (Captain) James T. Hyatt.
It was great to see pictures of the HQ/HQ Co building etc. Brought back memories.
Can't seem to find much on the units history anywhere? Where did 2nd Bn 51st INF go during the Nam era etc. Perhaps someone out there can help us. I was also told that this was the Kaserne where Rommel returned to carry out Hitlers orders to kill himself or else.
Loved Germany and the Southern German people. One of my best friends was a German soldier who served in the Bundeswehr S2 by the name of Volker Shultze (Fokker) whose father was in WW11. We toured Germany and had a great time. Am looking for anyone who might have served then and there during Nam. |
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1st ARB, 54th Infantry |
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1957 |
(Source: Email from John Meyer) |
I served (as a Squad leader on gun #1 in the 4.2 inch mortar platoon) from July 1957 until April 1960 with the above unit. I'm now 74. Our Bn Cdr was then LTC Sydney B. Berry.
I have only been able to contact one other member of our 4.2 inch Mortar Plt.
Garrison duty was familiar to anyone who served during that time. Motor pool in the a.m. then sundry duties later. The busy stuff started within three weeks of our arrival in Heilbronn. The whole division went on SABRE HAWK (field exercise) in Jan-Feb. 1958. Load the vehicles on the train and off we went.
Alerts came about once a month, some had us move out into the country which in Heilbronn meant that we ended up in vineyards -- how do you keep the troops out of the vines? The trips to Graf and Hohenfels to train, regardless of the season, put an edge on things.
Our mortar platoon garnered best in the division for 1959 and 1960. Having Eisenhower as CINC gave us restful nights. the contribution of having draftees
from all over the country serve for 2 years, myself I was regular Army for an additional year made for a high level of soldier competence. My recall is that at least one of five men had either college credits of had graduated.
My, that was a while ago. I still have an M1 and as recently as 15 years ago I shot competitively and during one exercise had 6 bullseyes on a thirty inch target at 600 yards. Talk about latent skills.
I came back to Boston, finished college and taught in a high school for the next 33 years. Would like to hear from anyone who served in the 54th Infantry stationed at Wharton Bks during that time. |
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2nd Battalion, 66th Armor |
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1959 |
(Source: Email from Walt Sebastian) |
I spent 18 months in Illesheim, from June 1959 - May 1961. I was in HQ Company (2nd Battalion, 66th Armor) and I drove the Battalion Commander Car, Jeep and Tank.
We moved from Ulm. I was in the first group to go to Illesheim. Man what a bummer - Ulm was wonderful and two men to a room! In Illesheim we were billeted in an airplane hangar (see pic #1).
We were told that this was temporary. Many men wrote their Congressmen about the conditions. We had 1000 men in this hangar!
Thanks for the web site. Keep up the good work. |
Illesheim Airfield
Illesheim, Germany |
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1. Garcia and Sebastian at Illesheim |
2. Winter's day at Illesheim |
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4. Accident at the railhead |
5. Sebastian with Bn CO's jeep |
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A D Company tank during Exercise Silver Shield, 1961 (Mike Condon) |
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Illesheim rail head, 1961 (Mike Condon) |
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1960 |
(Source: Email from Mike Condon) |
I was in the Army stationed at Illesheim, Germany from 12/1960 to 6/1963.
I was in the 4th AD, 2nd BN, 66th Armor Company D.
While I was there the Med unit was still there with the helicopters.
I could not find when the 66th left Illesheim. I saw that there was information from Walt Sebastian who was also there for part of the time I was there.
We lived in one of the hangars and the mess hall was also in the same hangar. This was an advantage for us because we didn’t have to go outside in the winter to go there.
While I was there we had the M48A1 tank and then the M60 tank. We received the M60’s shortly after the Berlin Wall went up.
I have included a couple newspaper clippings and some photos from when I was stationed there. |
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2nd Battalion, 67th Armor |
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Signs in front of 2nd Bn, 67th Armor on Monteith Bks, Fürth, c. 1964 (Robert Mitchell) |
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2nd MTB, 67th Armor crest |
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(Source: Unit introduction pamphlet for newcomers, 2nd Bn, 67th Armor, 1962 edition) |
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History, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor
The 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor, tracing its lineage to the First Separate Battalion, Heavy Tank Service, 65th Engineer Regiment (organized on 17 February 1918) was constituted on 24 March 1923, as Company B, 19th Tank Battalion. As a part of the 65th Engineer Regiment, the regiment participated in the European campaigns towards the end of World War I, notably the Somme Offensive. During the years following World War I, the battalion undertook peacetime garrison tasks and was redesignated as Company B, 2d Tank Regiment, on 1 September 1929. The unit was inactivated on 15 September 1931.
Again, on 31 October 1932, the unit was redesignated as Company B, 57th Infantry Regiment (Medium Tanks).
On 5 June 1940, the unit was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia and redesignated as Company B, 57th Armored Regiment, on 15 July 1940 and assigned to the 2d Armored Division. |
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The exploits of the 2d Armored Division during World War II occupy an important place in the military annals of our country, and the 67th earned a just and abiding place in these annals. From North Africa to Sicily, then on thru Central Europe, the 67th was in the vanguard of the US Forces, Europe. The 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor participated in the following Campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. The heroic actions of members of this unit won for it the Distinguished Unit Citation for the Normandy and Siegfried Line Campaigns.
At the conclusion of World War II, the 67th Armored Regiment was one of the units selected to occupy Berlin. Here, as a part of the Regiment, the Battalion was responsible for laying the ground work which constitutes the excellent relations existing today in Berlin, between the peoples of the United States and Germany.
After almost 6 years of magnificent service, during peace and war, the 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor, was disbanded on 25 March 1946. After this date the 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor was redesignated many times (i.e. on 6 February 1947 as Troop B, 321st Mechanized Cavalry Recon Squadron, on 21 October 1948 as Company B, 304th Armored Cavalry Regiment).
On 17 August 1950, the Battalion was withdrawn from the organized reserve; redesignated Company B, 67th Medium Tank Battalion; and alloted to the Regular Army. On 10 November 1950, the battalion was assigned as an element of the 2d Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
On 1 April 1957, the 2d Medium Tank Patton, 67th Armor was designated under CARS (Combat Arms Regimental System) and was assigned to the 4th Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. The battalion participated in "Operation Gyroscope" in October 1957, arriving at its present station, Monteith Barracks, Furth, Germany.
Since its arrival in Europe the 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor has participated in many notable events. The fist was 7th Army exercise "SABER HAWK" in 1958. This was followed by such famous maneuvers as WINTER SHIELD I (attached to 24th Infantry Division) WINTER SHIELD II and PEACEMAKER.
The 67th has further perpetrated the Division Motto, "They Shall Be Known By Their Deeds Alone" by the record it earned during the 7th Army Tank Gunnery Shoots at Bergen Hohne in 1958, 1960, and 1961. If one checks the Trophy Cases in the Tank Companies and Battalion Headquarters, they will find the First Place Trophy for High Battalion in 7th Army in 1960 and 1961, First Place Company in 7th Army 1960, First Place platoon in 7th Army in 1960 and many, many other worthy gunnery awards.
In December, 1961, the 67th was one of the first Tank Battalions in USAREUR equipped with the M-60 tank (105mm). This superior piece of equipment greatly enhanced the combat effectiveness of this unit, and contributed immeasureably to Esprit de Corps of the battalion. In addition, in December 1961 also, the battalion received the new 4X4,
¼-ton M-151 jeep, which replaced its obsolete predecessor, the M-38A1 jeep. Along with these modern vehicles, the 67th was equipped with a Special Weapons capability, the M-14 rifle, the M-60 machine gun, and the newest M-17 gas mask. Our Battalion, throughout its history has excelled in every undertaking. This documentary of the highlights of these accomplishments should provide each member of the organization the incentive to preserve and perpetuate the outstanding history of the 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 67th Armor. |
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Webmaster note: The 2-67th Arm was redesignated 1 July 1963 as 2nd Battalion, 67th Armor and concurrently relieved from assignment to 4th Armored Division, and assigned to 2nd Armored Division (CONUS). The Bn was transferred (less personnel and equipment) from Germany to Fort Hood, Texas, and reorganized (under ROAD).
In Germany, the 2nd Bn, 37th Armor was activated in Fürth and assumed the personnel and equipment of the former 2-67th.
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Related Links:
4th
Armored Division Yearbook 1958 - the entire book (200 pages)
is posted in the 2nd Bn, 5th FA Wiley Bks website. |
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