#5th armored division

[stone-cold-groove]

Peace is America’s most important business! U.S. Army recruitment ad - 1947.

[captain-price-unofficially]

A US soldier with the 5th Armored Division, takes cover behind a half-track. Illy, France. 6 September 1944

[walkingthroughthisworld]

Three M1A2 Abrams tank belonging to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division scan for targets during a combined arms live fire exercise with U.S. and Georgian armed forces at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, Aug. 14, 2018. Noble Partner 2018 is a Georgian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Europe cooperatively-led event improving readiness and interoperability of Georgia, U.S. and other participating nations.

[lboogie1906]

General Larry R. Ellis (born June 30, 1946) served as a general in the US military. He was the highest-ranking officer of African ancestry in the Army as of his retirement and was the fourth Black individual to become a four-star general. He was born in Cambridge, Maryland, and attended Morgan State University, where he earned a BS. On February 5, 1969, he became a second lieutenant.

He received his MS in Physical Education from Indiana University. He had an extensive military education, including Infantry Officer Basic courses at Fort Benning, and Infantry Officer Advanced courses. He attended the Armed Forces Staff College and the United States Army War College.

He was stationed in several countries including South Vietnam and South Korea. In Germany, his command assignments were the 1st Armored Division and Brigade Commander, 3rd Infantry Division. His command assignments in the US were Battalion Commander, 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, and 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. He was assigned to the Multinational Division (North) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was the Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea and the Company Commander of the 101st Airborne Division in South Vietnam.

The second black General to hold the position, he was the Commanding General of the Army Forces Command. He coordinated the deployment of over 500,000 soldiers, as well as the shipment of more than a million tons of equipment. He received many military awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, NATO Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal. He received an Honorary Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College, an Honorary Doctor of Law from Morgan State University, and the NAACP National Service Award.

He was the CEO and founder of Ellis Services & Solutions Enterprises. He has served on the Board of Directors of SRA, Armed Forces Benefit Association, UNITECH, as well as DHB Industries, Inc. He became the president and CEO of DHB Industries, Inc.

He is married to Jean Williams. They have two daughters. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[pinturas-sgm-tanques]

1945 04  Sherman 76mm E8 5th Armored Division

[victusinveritas]

GI with a local girl in Chartres France - August 1944

Chartres was liberated on August 18, 1944, by the US 5th Infantry and 7th Armored Division belonging to the XX Corps of the 3rd Army

LIFE Magazine Archives - Ralph Morse Photographer WWP-PD

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 74 of 2023

Title: Elite Bastards Authors: Edward L Dvorak ISBN: 9781526789655

Tags: B-52 Stratofortress, FAC, M24 Duster, O-1 Bird Dog, US USA 101st Airborne Division - Screaming Eagles, US USA 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment - Blackhorse, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - 4th Bn, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - 4th Bn - D Co, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - 4th Bn - D Co - 1st Plt, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - 4th Bn - D Co - 1st Plt - 1st Sqd, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - Sky Soldiers, US USA 17th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 17th Cavalry Regiment - 3/17, US USA 17th Cavalry Regiment - 3/17 - D Troop, US USA 17th Cavalry Regiment - E Troop, US USA 199th Light Infantry Brigade - Redcatchers, US USA 25th ID - Tropic Lightning, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP), US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP) - Team 1/2, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP) - Team 1/3, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP) - Team 1/5, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP) - Team 1/6, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP) - Team 1/7, US USA 74th Reconnaissance Airplane Co (RAC), US USA 74th Reconnaissance Airplane Co (RAC) - Aloft, US USA ANG Army National Guard, US USA ANG IN 151st Infantry Regiment, US USA ANG IN 151st Infantry Regiment - D Co (LRP), US USA Combat Trackers - K9, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Leonard Wood MO, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF 5th SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Sgt Maj Mcguire, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USN SEALS, US USN United States Navy, USA AeroScouts, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dak To (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Bien Hoa Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa Army Base (Vietnam War), VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Camp Lindsey-Lattin (Vietnam War), VNM Central Highlands, VNM Cu Chi, VNM Dak To, VNM Dong Nai River, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Hill 875, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Iron Triangle (Vietnam War), VNM LBJ Long Binh Jail - USARVIS US Army Vietnam Installation Stockade (Vietnam War), VNM LBJ Long Binh Jail (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post - Ammunition Depot (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Nha Trang - 5th SFG Recondo School (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM Song Be, VNM Tuy Hoa, VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG Hatchet Force Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG Road Runner Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 24th Evacuation Hospital - Long Binh (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 6th Convalescent Hospital - Cam Ranh Bay, VNM US USA Cam Ranh Bay - Replacement Depot, VNM US USA II Field Force (1966-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM US USSF 5th SFOB Special Forces Operation Base - Nha Trang, VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force - MIKE Force (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tau, VNM War Zone C (Vietnam War), VNM War Zone D (Vietnam War)

Rating: ★★★ Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.LRRPs

Description: This is the quintessential first-person combat memoir of a special forces soldier at war. Edward Dvorak joined the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam in the summer of 1967. He then joined Company F, 51st Infantry, Long Range Patrol, Airborne. For Dvorak and his buddies of Company F, LRP, their real training started with the MACV (Military Assistant Command Vietnam) Recondo School at the 5th Special Forces Compound in Nha Trang, South Vietnam. That training culminated with an actual Combat LRP mission. If you lived through the patrol, you graduated. Dvorak would remain with Company F for 19 months going on dozens of combat patrols deep behind enemy lines.

[ariesgamesandminis]

Large restock on Fighting Pirannha Graphics Decals is in and ready to be applied!

Clan Cloud Cobra - Delta Galaxy Clan Coyote Clan Coyote - Alpha Galaxy Clan Coyote - Lambda Galaxy Clan Diamond Sharks - Sigma Galaxy Clan Ghost Bear Clan Ghost Bear - Alpha Galaxy Clan Ghost Bear - Zeta Galaxy Clan Goliath Scorpion - Alpha Galaxy Clan Hells Horses Clan Ice Hellion Clan Ice Hellion - Alpha Galaxy Clan Jade Falcon - Falcon Guards Clan Nova Cat Clan Nova Cat - Sigma Galaxy Clan Smoke Jaguar Clan Smoke Jaguar - Alpha Galaxy Clan Smoke Jaguar - Delta Galaxy Clan Snow Ravens Clan Snow Ravens - Delta Galaxy Clan Steel Viper Clan Steel Vipers - Gamma Galaxy Eridani Light Horse (new) Free Rasalhague Republic - 1st Tyr Free Rasalhague Republic - Gunzburg Eagles Gray Death Legion House Davion - 1st Kathil Uhlans House Davion - 1st Robinson Rangers House Davion - Heavy Guards House Davion - MI6 (Rabid Foxes) House Liao - 4th McCarron's Armored Cavalry House Liao - 4th Tau Ceti Rangers (Old) House Liao - 5th McCarron's Armored Cavalry House Liao - House Dai Da Chi House Steiner Northwind Highlanders (New) Star League Defense Force Word of Blake - 42nd Shadow Division Word of Blake - 44th Shadow Division Word of Blake - 46th Shadow Division Word of Blake - 47th Shadow Division Word of Blake - 48th Shadow Division Word of Blake - 52nd Shadow Division

Letters Alpha - Black Alpha - White Beta - Black Gamma - White Omega - White Zeta - White

[usafphantom2]

Operation Junction City (Feb 21 – May 14, 1967) by Linh Yoshimura Via Flickr: Feb/March 1967 – UH-1 Huey from 173rd AHC "Robin Hoods" (Assault Helicopter Company) deployed in war zone C during Operation Junction city. Operation Junction City (Feb 21 – May 14, 1967) was an Operation to search out and destroy the VC and PAVN in the area; to destroy the Central Office for South Vietnam, the enemy's headquarters in the south; to establish a Special Forces CIDG camp and airfield at Prek Klok from which to monitor enemy movement, conducted by the 1st, 4th, 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions (USA); 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (USA); 196th Infantry Brigade (Light, USA); 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; 173d Airborne Brigade; Task Force Alpha's 1st and 5th Battalions (VMC); TF Wallace's 35th and 36th Ranger Battalion (ARVN); 3d Battalion (ARVN); 3d Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment (ARVN) in War Zone C, Tay Ninh Province and bordering provinces, 70 miles north of Saigon.

[nnn-lll-nnn]

EMERGENCY BROADCASTS.

ORDER OF BATTLE FOR NER. NERIAN ARMED FORCES. ORDER OF BATTLE 1 JULY 8 - 1975 2 ARG. 1RST ARMY. 1rst, 11th, 16th, 27th, 73rd, 92nd, 93rd, 109th, 176th Infantry Divisions. 2nd, 23rd, 24th, 34tyh, 36th, 71rst, 82nd, 88th Armored Divisions. 3rd, 4th, 17th, 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 86th Artillery Divisions. 7th, 16hth, 18th, 19th, 21rst Air Force Divisions. 2ND ARMY. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 28th, 34th, 52nd, 72nd, 81rst Infantry Divisions. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 101rst, 111th Armored Divisions. 8th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 22nd, 94th, 102nd Artillery Divisions. 2nd, 4th, 15th, 50th, 90th Air Force Divisions.

./.

LINK TO FOLLOW; HOTEL TANGO TANGO PAPA SIERRA, LOW; FOXTROT, INDIA, LIMA, ECHO, OT OR PERIORD, DDAW, IDNIDIA OSCAR, /BREAK/, FORWARD SLASHES, /RhtuuTSY1Afo , CANNOT PROVIDE PROPER FORMATTED RESPONSE AT THIS TIME, OUT.

./.

STANDBY, MESSAGE FOLWLAS..

./.

ACK HITMAN-3-2; </> Acoustic this is Hitman-3-2 Fire Mission over!&lt;/> ACOUSTIC; </>Hitman-3-2 this is Acoustic standing by for Fire Mission.</> HITMAN-3-2; </>Roger, Grids; FN396582, 6 rounds, 4 guns in effect, Target Number; GK7602 over!</> ACOUSTIC; </>Solid copy Hitman, Message to Observer; FN396582, 6 rounds, 4 guns, Target Number GK7602, splash in six seconds.</> ACOUSTIC; </>Shot, over.</> HITMAN-3-2; </>Shot, out!</> HITMAN-3-2; </>SPLASH OVER!</> ACOUSTIC; </>Splash, out.</> HITMAN-3-2; </>ACOUSTIC, THIS IS HITMAN, ADJUST FIRE SYSTEM AIDED OVER!</> ./. STANDBY

[wreakhavic]

The Most Dangerous game

Part III

It was before sunrise when Marika left for South Rukongai through her usual channels. She knew that part of the Soul Society inside out since she spent over 50 years surviving there. 

Marika entered a well-concealed cave, took off her uniform and underwear there, and hid it under some rocks and branches, then walked around 200 hundred meters more, butt naked, down and into the void until she reached a huge cavern. She cast full incantation kido for concealing reiatsu, stretched her arm holding Zanpakutō in front of her, and said calmly:

-Bankai. Yakedo shita niku wa naoranai kamo shirenai! ("The flesh I burn may never heal!")

The fire lit from the top of the blade and expanded towards Marika. It hugged her and formed ribcage-like armor around her breasts and stomach down to her hips, golden with red color at the top of the bones. Golden scales covered her arms and legs forming parts of the armour. Instead of a helmet, she wore dragon jaws framing her face with long fangs and two horns turned towards the front. She had three scythe-like blades burning with blue flames at each side that she could control with the movement of her hands. 

Marika gathered her strength and unleashed some fiery reiatsu that melted the rocks in front of her, then she started practicing swinging and throwing her blades, flames igniting as she moved.

After an hour or so of practice, Marika started getting tired, sweat evaporating as soon as it appeared on her skin. The cavern was around twice the size it was when she came in that day. Marika smiled with satisfaction through panting. She knew she could melt any material she came in contact with so far, but she was getting better at evaporating - no - evanishing matter from existence.

"I need to abandon this cavern and find a new place to train in soon, or someone may notice a fluctuation of matter and energy…"

Marika cleansed the cavern from her reiatsu and went out through the tunnels to put on the uniform she left. 

"This undressing part will be funny once I do an official demonstration of my bankai - or should I bring an extra uniform, sacrifice the one I’m in, and then leave the bankai state naked?"

Nobody noticed her as she returned to the 5th squad dormitory and snuck back into her bed. She stayed awake some more time, wondering what exactly sparked her interest in Captain Aizen. There was nothing unusual about him approaching her in Soul Academy. After all, all the captains scouted the Academy for exceptional future officers. She asked him, without any trace of humor, if she could become the next captain of the 5th division after his death. The fact that he answered her question seriously and without hesitation was what made her join the 5th squad after all. That’s when she first took note of him. After she joined the 5th squad, nothing sparked her interest in Aizen as a person. She wanted to be professionally close to him so she could gain his trust and climb the ranks, and climb she did - up to the 4th seat. She would often borrow books from Aizen and they would have little chats every time. She was close to Momo, and Momo visited the captain's quarters often -  because of her position as a lieutenant - but it was obvious as well that she was head over heels for him. Marika would sometimes accompany her. Every time Marika met Aizen, she would carefully observe him. That's how she noticed that there was something dangerous about him, and that's what excited her - she thought for herself.

"Is that all…?" Marika was barely awake and able to formulate thoughts "Or do I hope that we are alike… in… some… way…" 

*

Aizen thought it was in his best interest to discover as much as he could about Marika. First thing in the morning he sent Momo away to do chores so that he could go through the 5th squad records and Marika's papers from the Soul Academy and make copies of the material. Aizen noticed it was her birthday only a few days before, and for a moment entertained the thought of what he could have gifted her had they been closer, but quickly forced himself to stay focused on the objective.

The only information he could start with was the fact that she "had wandered around through the South Rukongai for as long as she could remember, stealing and doing odd jobs to survive, living in the slumbers and slowly making her way to the Soul Society”. There were no records of jobs she did before a certain point in time and nothing about her childhood - the orphanage she grew up in or how or when she was admitted to one. He didn’t remember the name of the orphanage if she ever mentioned it.

After a light knock on the door, a man came in.

-Gin. - Aizen nodded.

Gin Ichimaru was under Kyoka Suigetsu and had the appearance of a random officer for everyone else except Aizen.

-Nothing out of the ordinary today, Aizen-sama. Tosen took over for the rest of the day. 

He was referring to the work he had done impersonating Central 46 that morning. 

-Good - Aizen put the last paper from his hands onto a stack in front of him - I've been looking into someone, Gin. I took a special interest in Officer Gato Marika of my squad. She could be a potential problem - or an ally. I sense she is powerful enough to be of use, however, I’m unsure if her loyalty lies with Soul Society itself or if she is here just for her own gain, so there is potential to turn her to our side and use her to our advantage.

-Is this a special project of yours or is there somethin' I can do?

-Nothing's special about it. I want you to dig up more about her. Here are copies of all the records Soul Society has on her - Aizen pointed to a neat stack of paperwork on his desk - Unfortunately, it doesn't point to any specific location from her past, so try to get personally closer to her and find some grounds for further investigation. 

-Okay, understood - Gin picked up papers and glanced at them - Not a lot to work with, I see. But no worries, I will find a way through to her.

Aizen felt slightly uncomfortable hearing Gin's words, even though it was he who proposed it in the first place.

-Very well, Gin. Keep me up to date. We don't have much more time here. 

-I will see to it immediately - Gin nodded in understanding and left the chambers with the papers.

There was a voice in Aizen’s head telling him that he should’ve made this his own little project, but he silenced that voice with cold logic - this was just a potential alliance, that yet played no role in his plan over a hundred years in the making.

Also, about three days passed since he touched himself thinking about Marika. He didn’t make a huge deal out of it. It could have been any woman that poked his imagination like that. It wasn’t something that he often did, so perhaps the need accumulated in him and it just so happened that images of Marika made him want to relieve himself.

Aizen frowned. He didn’t like that he came back to thinking about the time he thought about Marika in the shower simply because that wasn’t, really, a huge deal. Again, he felt his member getting hard, so he jumped from his table and left his office to do something, anything…

***

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter!! I made a huge pause, I know, but I hope the story will get better for it :)

What do you think, would Aizen and Marika make a good pair?

[despair-to-future-arcs]

This is probably around the time where the Remnants stole Junko’s body.

???: Alright then everyone, make sure you guard the location - may sure no Despairs come in while the rest of you wear your gas mask and grab everything! We need to make sure we leave nothing behind!

Future Foundation Members: Yes ma'am!!

*As then armored soldiers rush to the entrance and head to the front as guarding while those wearing gas mask are heading side; carrying various equipment and tools as rushing by Makoto and the others*

Th-Those guys have guns...

Looks like these guys are totally prepared, huh?

*After that a women with blonde hair and red eyes approach the survivors*

Excuse me but are you the survivors; Makoto Naegi, Kyoko Kirigiri, Byakuya Togami, Toko Fukawa, Yasuhiro Hagakure and Aoi Asahina?

Um, ye-yes... that's us, are you one of the heads?

Indeed, Masa Esumi - I'm head of the 5th Division which is in charge of Intelligence, Inquiry, and Counter-Espionage - we came as soon as we could.

Sorry that we didn't arrive sooner, we had to get a lot of things prepare and make sure you all are okay so please come with me as we get you somewhere safe so you can get check over, fed and explain the situation.

Wow you guys got us some food and are going to help us, gee thanks! You all seem like a nice bunch!

Indeed and maybe you can explain the situation along with confirming what Junko Enoshima say is true.

Well of course, will explain everything but I think we first need to make sure you all somewhere safe and back to the foundation so hope you don't mind.

Sorry... it's just that we can't be here for too long, the Despairs are likely going to come here so we need to get you somewhere safe but will fill you in and help you.

I-I see so will be safe then, thank god.

I see then... lead the way Miss. Esumi - I think it be for the best if we try to get somewhere much safer then you can answer our questions.

*As then the 6 survivors follow Masa and headed into one of the trucks*

S-So these are the survivors?

Looks to be the case...

Yeah but anyway, can you both get them fed and check out? I feel we need to make sure all of them are okay.

Pl-Please come with me for any ch-check ups, will be sure to help you all.

Yeah and after that, will explain everything we can.

...

Hm? Something up?

Nothing, just wanted to thank you for helping us...

[captain-price-unofficially]

A U.S. Army Sherman tank, from 5th Armored Division, rolls into the town of Dreux, France. 16 Aug 1944.

[walkingthroughthisworld]

Three M1A2 Abrams tank belonging to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division scan for targets during a combined arms live fire exercise with U.S. and Georgian armed forces at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, Aug. 14, 2018. Noble Partner 2018 is a Georgian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Europe cooperatively-led event improving readiness and interoperability of Georgia, U.S. and other participating nations.

(via Multinational Live Fire Exercise at Noble Partner 18: US S… | Flickr)

[meetthetruthblogger]

Memorial Day 2024

May 24, 2024

Coming up on Monday is Memorial Day when we honor those military heroes who gave their full measure for the United States of America. Today we will highlight eight people, the first soldier, sailor, marine or airman to give their life during each of America’s major wars.

Revolutionary War:

Isaac Davis (April 19, 1775) a gunsmith from Action, Massachusetts, served as a minuteman during the Battle of Concord and was shot through the heart as his company advanced upon the enemy.

Civil War

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth (May 24, 1861) a Union officer leading his troops into Alexandria, Virginia to assist in the occupation of the city, the day after the state’s citizens voted to secede from the Union. In the city, while taking down a Confederate flag, he was shot point blank by an innkeeper.

World War I

Joseph William Guyton (May 24, 1918) was attached to the 32nd Infantry Division in a German-held area of France and served as an automatic gunner, firing off intermittent rounds on a post near the line of resistance. The enemy shot a barrage of machine gun fire into the line where Guyton was struck and killed instantly.

World War II

Robert M. Losey (April 21, 1940) a captain in the Navy, was serving as an air attache’ in Finland when Germany invaded Oslo. Losey and his chauffeur were assisting in the evacuation of American staff and dependents from the United States Embassy. Losey was killed when a bomb exploded nearby and a fragment pierced his heart.

Korean War

Kenneth Shadrick (July 5, 1950) was assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, serving as an ammunition carrier in a bazooka squad sent to stop communist tanks near Sejong, South Korea. As he aimed a rocket at an enemy tank, he stuck his head and shoulders above the gun pit to watch; the tank’s machine gun returned fire, sending one bullet through his right arm, another through his chest, killing him instantly.

Vietnam War

Richard B. Fitzgibbon, Jr. (June 8, 1956) was a member of Detachment 1, 1173rd Foreign Mission Squadron, United States Air Force. Fitzgibbon was not killed in action, but murdered by a deranged American airman who shot him as he was handing out candy to local orphans in Saigon. He and his son, Richard B. Fitzgibbon, III, are also known as one of three father-son duos killed while serving during the Vietnam War. Acknowledgement of Fitzgibbon’s death as the first casualty of the Vietnam War did not come until 1999.

Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan

Johnny Michael “Mike” Spann (November 25, 2001) was serving in the CIA’s paramilitary Special Activities Division, having previously served in the Marine Corps as a captain. Spann was dispatched to Afghanistan soon after September 11, 2001, to find Osama bin Laden. Near Mazar-e-Sharif, the CIA was holding al Qaeda fighters in the recently captured fortress of Qala-i-Jangi. Spann was killed while interrogating Taliban fighters, in particular, American Taliban John Walker Lindh. Spann was attacked when the Taliban fighters launched themselves at Spann, who took out seven men with his pistol before being killed. Spann is now memorialized with a star on the CIA Memorial Wall at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.  

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Therrell Shane Childers (March 21, 2003) served as a second lieutenant Marine Corps assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division – one of the first cleared units to enter Iraq. After the battalion secured a pumping station at the Rumaila oil fields, 20 miles north of the border with Kuwait, Iraqi soldiers unloaded from a pick-up truck and in a drive-by, Childers was shot once in the stomach. The injury became fatal when his motion to fire at those in the truck lifted his body armor, leaving him exposed.

Each of these stories makes me proud and sad at the same time; proud that each of these heroes were willing to sacrifice themselves for our country; sad their lives were cut short.

Every person reading this post will know of family members, neighbors or others who have chosen to serve the United States of America; please take a moment to reflect and give thanks for these people.

From 1868 to 1970, Memorial Day was observed on May 30. Since 1971, it has been observed on the last Monday of May and has become the unofficial start of summer.

Enjoy your Holiday and Thanks for being here.

Tom Maloney

[eucmh]

7-AD – Withdrawal Behind the 82-A/B Lines December 1944

Document Source: (AAR) After Action Report (December 1944), Headquarters 7th Armored Division, December 1, 1944, – December 31, 1944, St-Vith & Vicinity, Belgium, Col John L. Ryan Jr, GSC, Chief of Staff

FOREWORD

The 7th Armored Division was activated on March 1, 1942, reorganized on September 20, 1943, and sent to the United Kingdom in June 1944. The division landed in Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, on August 13/14, 1944, and was assigned to the US 3-A. The 7-AD drove through Nogent-le-Rotrou in an attack on Chartres which fell on August 18. From Chartres, the Division advanced to liberate Dreux, then Melun where the division crossed the Seine River on August 24. The 7-AD then pushed on to bypass Reims, liberated Château-Thierry and Verdun, August 31, halted briefly for refueling until September 6, when it drove toward the Moselle River and made a crossing near Dornot. This crossing had to be withdrawn in the face of the heavy fortifications around Metz.

The 7-AD then made attempts to cross again the Moselle River northwest of Metz but the deep river valley was not suitable terrain for an armored attack. Elements of the division assisted the 5th Infantry Division in expanding a bridgehead east of Arnaville, south of Metz, and on September 15, the main part of the division crossed the Moselle. The 7-AD was repulsed in its attacks across the Seille River at and near Sillegny, part of an attack in conjunction with the 5-ID that was also repulsed further north. On September 25, the 7-AD was transferred to the US 9-A and began the march

to the Netherlands where they were needed to protect the right (east) flank of the corridor opened by Operation Market Garden. They were to operate in southeastern Holland so that British and Canadian forces and the US 104th Infantry Division could clear the Germans from the Scheldt Estuary in the southwest Netherlands and open the shipping lanes to the critical port of Antwerp, to allow Allied ships to bring supplies from Britain.

In September 1944, the 7-AD launched an attack from the north on the town of Overloon, against significant German defenses. The attacks progressed slowly and finally settled into a series of counter-attacks reminiscent of World War I trench warfare. On October 8, the 7-AD was relieved from the attack on Overloon by the British 11-AD and moved south of Overloon to the Deurne – Weert area. Here they were attached to the British 2-A and ordered to make demonstration attacks to the east, in order to divert enemy forces from the Overloon and Venlo areas, where British troops pressed the attack. This plan succeeded, and the British were finally able to liberate Overloon. On October 27, the main part of the 7-AD was in essentially defensive positions along the line Nederweert (and south) – Meijel – Liesel, with the demonstration force still in the attack across the Deurne Canal to the east. The Germans launched a two-division offensive centered on Meijel, catching the thinly stretched US 87-CRS (Cavalry Recon Squadron) by surprise. However, the response by the 7-AD and by the British VIII Corps to which the division was attached, stopped the German attack on the third day and from October 31 to November 8, gradually drove the enemy out of the terrain that they had taken. During this operation, at midnight on the night of October 31 – November 1, Gen Robert D. Hasbrouck replaced Gen Lindsay Silvester as Commanding General of the division. On November 8, the 7-AD was again transferred back to the US 9-A and moved south to rest areas in the eastern vicinity of Maastricht. Following an inflow of many replacements, they began extensive training and reorganization, since so many original men had been lost in France and Holland that a significant part of the division was now men who had never trained together. At the end of November, the division straddled the Dutch-German Border with one combat command in Germany (in the area of Ubach–Palenberg, north of Aachen) and two in the Netherlands. Elements of the division were attached to the US 84th Infantry Division for operations in early December in the area of Linnich, Germany, on the banks of the Roer River.

DECEMBER 1, 1944 On December 1, the division order of battle was as follows: CCA – 48th Armored Infantry Battalion – Able Co, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion – Dog Co, 87th Cavalry Recon Squadron Mecz CCB – 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion – 31st Tank Battalion – Baker Co, 33rd Armored Infantry Battalion – Baker Co, 87th Cavalry Recon Squadron Mecz – Dog Co, 203rd AAA Battalion – Charlie Co, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – 1st Plat, Baker Co, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – 1st Plat, Recon, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion CCR – 38th Armored Infantry Battalion – Baker Co, 40th Tank Battalion – Charlie Co, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion – Ordnance Detachment – Medical Detachment Division Troops – 203rd AAA Battalion (-) – 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (-) – 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (-) – 87th Cavalry Recon Squadron Mecz Division Trains – 129th Ordnance Maintenance Company (-) – 77th Armored Medical Battalion (-) – 446th Quartermaster Truck Company (-) – 3967th Quartermaster Troop Transport Company (-) – Baker Co, 203rd AAA Battalion Division Artillery was under XIII Corps control and consisted of: – 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion – 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion – 489th Armored Field Artillery Battalion – Able Co and Charlie Co, 203rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion Attached to the division were the: – 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – 203rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion – 446th Quartermaster Trucking Company – 3967th Quartermaster Troop Transport Company Detached from the division were the: – 17th Tank Battalion (attached to the 102-ID) – 40th Tank Battalion (-) Baker & Dog Cos (attached to the 84-ID)

(CCR/7-AD), commanded by Col John L. Ryan Jr, was in the vicinity of Ubach, Germany, on December 1, 1944. The only divisional unit in action under division command was Baker Co 40th Tank Battalion which was supporting the 84th Infantry Division's operations in the vicinity

of Lindern. Able Co 40-TB was holding Lindern with elements of the 84-ID. Baker Co 40-TB was sent in to reinforce it. Due to enemy artillery concentrations on the supply route, supplies were brought to the two companies by means of the Blue Ball Express, an innovation using the light tanks of Dog Co 40-TB to bring up trailer loads of rations and ammunition under the cover of darkness.

(CCB/7-AD) under the command of Col Bruce C. Clarke, was alerted to move east of the Wurm River, Germany, to assemble at Gereonsweiller. The mission was to attack southeast from Lindern and to seize Linnich by passing through the 84-ID and 102-ID. The 814-TDB was to support the attack. However, due to the progress of the infantry divisions, it was not necessary

to commit CCB. (CCA/7-AD) under Col Dwight A. Rosenbaum, located in the vicinity of Heerlen, Holland, was undergoing a training and maintenance program pending operations to the east.

DECEMBER 2, 1944

The Division Tactical Headquarters was established at Rimburg, Holland. CCB 7-AD moved east of the Wurm River. This placed two combat commands east of that river, prepared for immediate operations to the east, northeast, or north. At 0115, the elements of the 40-TB which had been attached to the US 84-ID were relieved from such attachment. Baker 40-TB was then attached to the US 84-ID. While prepared to repel any enemy counter-attacks, the division units continued with training and maintenance programs.

DECEMBER 3, 1944

At 1200, the 17-TB was relieved from attachment to the US 102-ID and returned to CCR 7-AD control. Proposed operations to the east were dependent upon the destruction of the enemy-held Roer River Dams, south of Düren. The enemy was capable of countering an Allied offensive in this area by flooding the Roer River Valley. This would result in either destruction of the troops in the flooded region or the cutting off of our supply lines. To eliminate this threat, Allied air forces made

several attempts to destroy the dam by bombing. The first attempt was made on December 3. While training and maintenance continued for the division as a whole, various divisional units were in action while under attachment to other commands. Baker Co 40-TB was attached to the US 84-ID from December 2, 1944, at 2230 to December 6, 1944, at 1600. Charlie Co 38-AIB

was also under attachment to the US 84-ID from December 3, 1944, at 2100 to December 6, 1944, at 1800. The 48-AIB was attached to the US 102-ID from December 5, 1944, at 1400 to December 9, 1944, at 2400 and the 17-TB was attached to the US 84-ID from December 9, 1944, at 1400 until December 16, 1944, at 2000.

During the period, detailed plans were made for seizing the town of Brachelen. The town was defended by the German 694.Infantry-Regiment, the 695.Infantry-Regiment and the 696.Infantry-Regiment from the 340.Infantry-Division. The attack was dependent upon the destruction of the Roer River Dams which would isolate the town. When one of the dams was broken it would take from 4 to 5 1/2 hours for the crest of the flood to reach Brachelen, and as the dam could not be bombed before 1000, the attack was to be launched the day after the destruction of the dam. CCB 7-AD was assigned the job of taking Brachelen. The plan of attack was outlined in Operations Instructions on December 11, at 0900, known as plan Dagger. CCA 7-AD was to move east of the Wurm River after CCB’s attack. Both combat commands were constituted as follows: CCA – 40th Tank Battalion – 48th Armored Infantry Battalion – Able Co, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion – Dog Co, 87th Cavalry Rcn Squadron (Mecz) – Able Co, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – 1st Co, Recon, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – Detachment, 77th Armored Medical Battalion CCB – 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion – 31st Tank Battalion – 38th Armored Infantry Battalion – Baker Co, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion – Baker Co, 87th Cavalry Recon Squadron (Mecz) – Charlie Co, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – 1st Plat, Baker Co, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – Detachment, 129th Ordnance Battalion – Dog Co, 203rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion – Detachment, 77th Armored Medical Battalion CCR – 1 Squadron Recon, 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion – Charlie Co, 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion

DECEMBER 10 Today, Col Bruce C. Clarke, Commanding CCB 7-AD, was promoted to brigadier general. At 1000, CCB 7-AD was placed in the Corps reserve. DECEMBER 11 At 1500, CCB was released from the Corps Reserve and replaced by CCA 7-AD. DECEMBER 13 Division Main Headquarters moved from Robroek to Heerlen, Holland, while the rest of the division continued training and maintenance, pending the destruction of the Roer River dam and the beginning of the operations Dagger. DECEMBER 16

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