Unit History:  Activated on 15 December 1941 at Ft. Ethan Allen, Vermont. Arrived at Glamorganshire, Wales, on 1 January 1944 and shipped to France in late September equipped with M10s. Entered combat with the 102d Infantry Division against the Siegfried Line defenses along the Würm River on 3 November. Participated in the drive to the Roer River and held defensive positions there during December. Converted to the M36 in January 1945. Supported drive toward Rhine River in February. Crossed the Rhine beginning 31 March and joined the 102d Infantry Division’s drive across Germany to the Elbe River, reaching same on 14 April. Spent remainder of the war helping to mop up bypassed pockets of resistance between the Rhine and the Elbe. Attached to: 5th Armored Division; 102d Infantry Division; 11th Cavalry Group. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

Combat Equipment: 11/44 - M10; 2/45 - M36

Commanding Officers:  Lt. Col. David DeG Smith

Code Name/s:  Midget

Campaign Credits:   Rhineland........................Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945

                                 Central Europe.................Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945

Awards:  Unit Citation (C Company only)

Location August 1945:  Viersen, Germany

Additional Information/Materials:

1.)   Souvenir Edition of the Crow's Nest - Distributed to troops returning home on the Edmund B. Alexander Troop Ship.  Dated November 28, 1945, the troops on board included the 771st TD Bn., and the 802nd TD Bn. and many others totalling 5,240 on board.  Courtesy of Steve Dike.

2.)  After Action Reports - from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

            Nov. 5 to 30, 1944...............6 Pages

            Dec. 1 to 31, 1944...............6 Pages

            Jan. 1 to 31, 1945...............7 Pages (some pages poor quality)

            Apr. 1 to 30, 1945.............11 Pages

            May 1 to 31, 1945................9 Pages (with overlay maps)

3.)  Second Platoon of Company C - Shown in the photo is John Martinelli, seated on the front of the tank wearing the helmet and George Yago standing beneath the gun with eyeglasses and no helmet. Information provided by Joan Martinelli.  Photo courtesy of Bob Freego

4.)  Group Photo of Company C Members - Photo courtesy of Bob Freego.  Soldier I.D. by Joan Martinelli and reverse of photo from Jacob Schraeter.

5.)  Unit History - Includes officers list and both 1st and Staff Sergeants list.  Provided courtesy of Joan Martinelli

6.)  Unit Citation - General Order 83 of the 102nd Infantry Division, dated June 7, 1945 identifying that Company C of the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion was cited for the award.  Provided courtesy of Joan Martinelli.

7.)  Photo Gallery