Unit History: The 94th Antitank Battalion was redesignated the 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 15 December, 1941. Committed to battle 20 February, 1943, at Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. Supported capture of Bizerte. Landed in Italy in late October, 1943, located in vicinity of Pignataro in the Migniano sector as of December. Transferred to Anzio beachhead on 25 January, 1944, where battalion supported mainly British troops. Entered Rome in June. Crossed Arno River at Pisa in September. Mired at Porretta Terme late 1944–early 1945. Entered Genoa on 27 April. Attached to: 1st Armored Division; 34th, 45th, 85th, and 92d Infantry divisions; 10th Mountain Division; British 1st and 5th Infantry divisions; French Expeditionary Corps; Brazilian Expeditionary Force. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 2/43 – M3 & M6; 12/43 – M10; 5/44 M18 (5 Only) Recon Co.
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Charley P. Eastburn; Lt. Col. Holmes H. Bevington (10/30/43); Maj. Paul A. Baldy
Code Name/s: Torpedo
Campaign Credits: Tunisia………………………Nov. 17, to May 13, 1943
Naples/Foggia……………..Sept. 9, 1943 to Jan. 21, 1944
Rome Arno………………….Jan. 22, to Sept. 9, 1944
North Apennines…………..Sept. 10, 1944 to Apr. 4, 1945
Po Valley…………………….Apr. 5, 1945 to May 8, 1945
Awards: Distinguished Unit Citation – 1-16 Feb 44, WD GO 63-44, Co B only
Croix De Guerre (French or Belgium “Cross of War”)
Location August 1945: Piacenza, Italy
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) Seek, Strike, Destroy – The History of the 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion in World War II. This is a very well done unit history by Patrick J. Chase, son of SSgt. Fred Chase of B Company of the 894th. The book is 165 pages and covers all aspects of the unit including a roster, articles from newspapers, photos, commendations, etc. I have seen this book for sale on Ebay a number of times. I assume there were a number of extra copies made of it so it may still be available from booksellers. I have a copy of this book and would be happy to look at it more closely if you have a question about it.
2.) Personal Narrative – This was written by a former veteran of the 894th, during the 1980’s, in response to questions he recieved from the author doing research for an upcoming book on U. S. tank destroyer forces. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
Larry Fitzgerald, Oct 10, 1943……………1 Page
3.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas. Also courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian (*).
French Exp. Corps, Gen Orders #127, Croix De Guerre, July 22, 1944…..1 Page
Anti-tank Defense of Anzio Beachhead, Mar 28, 1944………………………10 Pages
Stars & Stripes Article, Italy, 1944………………………………………………..1 Page
Good job in Italy Letter, Major Baldy……………………………………………..1 Page
Various Documents, 1941-1945………………………………………………………….9 Pages
4.) Group Photo A Company – Taken at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on July 3, 1942. Capt. R.D. Crosby is the Commanding Officer. Provided courtesy of Paul Stevens.
5.) Group Photo HQ Company – Taken at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on July 3, 1942. Capt. D.L. Ramsey is the Commanding Officer. Provided courtesy of Paul Stevens.
6.) Group Photo Reconnaissance Company – Taken at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on June 25, 1942. Capt. H.L. Harris is the Commanding Officer. Provided courtesy of Paul Stevens.
7.) Group Photo C Company – Taken at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on July 3, 1942. Lt. Noble H. Abney is the Commanding Officer. Noble would briefly command the unit and retire at the rank of Colonel. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
Group Photo C Company with Names – This is the same photo as provided above but in this image, the men have been numbered and their names listed on the back. Photo provided courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.
8.) Distinguished Unit Citation – Presented to B Company for their actions during period, February 1 to 16, 1944, near Carroceto, Italy. Courtesy of Adair Wood.
9.) 1941 Co. B Christmas Program – While the unit was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. B Company was commanded by Cpt. Clair B. Mitchell. Includes a menu for the dinner as well as a roster of men.
10.) 1941 Co. C Christmas Program – While the unit was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. C Company was commanded by Cpt. Milton C. Taylor. Includes a menu for the dinner as well as a roster of men. Courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.
11.) 1944 General Orders – GO’s from 1944, numbers 1 through 20 but missing numbers 4,5,7 and 19. Courtesy of Lowell Silverman.
12.) 1945 General Order #5 – Courtesy of Lowell Silverman.
13.) Journal & History for April/March 1945 – 25 pages, included a listing of officers for each month and casualty report for April. Courtesy of Lowell Silverman.
14.) C Co. Morning Reports – Covering December 1942 to June 1944. 269 pages in all and too large a file to post here but if you have a particular date you are interested in, feel free to contact us. Courtesy of Lowell Silverman.
15.) Battalion Newsletter – Dated December 10, 1944, it provides an overview of the unit’s activities and is signed by the unit’s Adjutant, 1st. Lt. Daniel Loewenthal. Courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.
16.) C Company list of men – We believe this list is from February or March of 1944, containing the names of enlisted men from C Company and including their addresses. The list was probably taken by Baker D. Newton, when he was transferred to the 805th. Courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.
17.) 5th Army Action Article – Covering the Fifth Army’s Beachhead on February 5th, 1944, which included units of the 894th. The article mentions a number of the unit’s soldiers, including Captain Baker D. Newton. Courtesy of the Baker D. Newton family and Lowell Silverman.
18.) 5th Army Article on Cassino – From the Chicago Tribune of Monday, February 7, 1944. As with th epreviouws article, members of the 894th are mentioned.
19.) Sgt. Robert D. Lightsey Article – A detailed article by Lowell Silverman on Sergeant Robert D. Lightsey for Delaware’s World War II Fallen website. The article chronicles Lightsey’s life and service time, including the destruction of his tank destroyer and his death along with three other soldiers. A very well written article by one of the most thorough researchers I know. In addition to the PDF version provided, here is a link to the article on the Delaware’s Fallen website.
20.) Photo Gallery