Unit History:  Unit was activated at Camp Hood, TX on Nov. 18, 1942.  The unit moved to Camp Claiborne, LA on Feb 26, 1943 and took part in the maneuvers there from Sep. 15 to Nov. 15, 1943.  Went to Camp Shanks, NY arriving on Dec. 28, 1943.  The unit was prepared for shipment and left on Jan. 2, 1944 from New York Port of Embarkation.  The unit arrived in England on Jan. 10, 1944 and then shipped to France, arriving on Jul. 11, 1944.  The unit was utilized to create "Task Force A" and given command of armored forces on the Brittany Peninsula after the breakout at Avranches.  Was a separate combat command unit under VIII Corps.  "Task Force A" was broken up after the completion of the mission on Sep. 22, 1944.  Joined with Third Army and became their tank destroyer command unit on Sep. 30, 1944 until end of war.  Took on occupational duties in Germany until Oct. 31, 1945.  Deactivated thereafter. Attached/Supported: VIII Corps and Third Army. Information gathered from WWII Order of Battle by Shelby L. Stanton.

Combat Equipment:  N/A

Commanding Officers:  Brig. Gen. Herbert L. Earnest

Code Name/s:  Hippo

Campaign Credits:   Normandy.......................Jun. 6, to Jul. 24, 1944

                                 Northern France...............Jul. 25, to Sept. 14, 1944

                                 Rhineland........................Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945

                                 Ardennes-Alsace..............Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan 25, 1945

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

Awards:  None

Location August 1945:  Unknown

Additional Information/Materials:

1.) Photo Gallery

2.)  Thanksgiving Menu 1943 - A Thanksgiving menu for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (that's all there was) of the 1st TD Brigade.  Menu includes list of food for the meal and a list of personnel.  Cover is marked for the unit's anniversary because the unit had been activated one year earlier, in November of 1942.  At the time of these festivities, they were stationed at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana where they would stay for another month before moving to Camp Shanks, NY for preparations to ship overseas.

3.)  Unit Photo - Taken at Camp Claiborne, LA on November 25, 1943, which was probably the same time as their Thanksgiving meal.  Unfortunately there does not seem to be any of the higher ranking personnel in the photo.  There is a Captain on the far left and a 1st or 2nd Lieutenant on the far right who are probably the HQ Company Commanders.  Someone who is identified is T5 Charles L. Catherman, Jr.  He is standing in the second row from the front, fourth from the left.  Photo provided courtesy of Charles W. Catherman.

4.  Unit Attachment Documents from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas

       Dec. 28, 1943.........2 Pages

       Dec. 31, 1943.........3 Pages