Unit History: Activated on 25 July, 1942, at Camp Carson, Colorado. Arrived in England 17 April, 1944. Disembarked at Omaha Beach 26 June with towed 3-inch guns. Supported capture of St. Lô and subsequent breakout. Entered Brittany in August, supported capture of Brest by 18 September. Moved east in late September to Holland. Conducted operations against Siegfried Line in October near Aachen, Germany. Transferred to Ubach, Germany, in November and supported drive toward Roer River. Converted to M10’s beginning in December. Crossed Roer beginning 23 February, 1945. Withdrawn from line during March. Company B supported operations against Ruhr Pocket in April. Battalion then marched east to Elbe River. Took up occupation duties on 27 April. Attached to: 29th, 35th Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 6/44 – Towed 3″ Gun; 12/44 – M10
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Howard H. Arbury
Code Name/s: Athirst
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
Central Europe……………..Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945
Awards: Meritorious Unit Citation – 26 Jun-31 Dec 44, GO 138, Hqs 29th Inf Div, dtd 22
Apr 45.
Location August 1945: Rheydt, Germany
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) 821st Tank Destroyer Battalion website– Created by the son of Ciro Gippetti, who was a member of “B” Company of the the 821st TD Bn.
2.) Unit History, 1944 – 22 page document that includes casualties and awards. Courtesy of the Tank Destroyer Association by L. L. Gill, TDA Historian.
3.) Platoon Photo– Includes Sgt. Andy C. McEuen, shown in back row, 7th from left without a hat. Page two of the document has all the names listed but individuals are difficult to identify because the men aren’t in clear rows. Photo provided courtesy of Andy’s granddaughter, Cate Meyring. WARNING LARGE FILE
4.) Route Map of the 821st – Drawn by T/5 Kenneth D. Haak and reproduced by the 62nd Engr. Top. Co. This document was recreated from a framed print of the map and text is not completely accurate. Please contact me for any questions. WARNING LARGE FILE
5.) Group Photo C Company – Taken at Isles sur Suippe, France, on October 6, 1945. Provided courtesy of Paul Stevens.
6.) Photo Gallery
7.) Unit Historical Reports – from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas. (*)
Jun. 26-30, 1944……………..11 Pages (Includes map overlay)
Jul. 1-31, 1944………………….8 Pages (Some areas difficult to read. Includes awards & map overlay)(*)
Aug. 1-31, 1944……………….10 Pages (Some pages poor. Includes map overlays)
Sep. 1-30, 1944…………………8 Pages (Some areas difficult to read. Includes awards & map overlays)(*)
Oct. 1-31, 1944…………………5 Pages (Some areas difficult to read. Includes awards listing)
Nov. 1-30, 1944……………….13 Pages (Includes awards & map overlays)
Dec. 1-31, 1944……………….11 Pages (Some pages poor. Includes awards & map overlays)
Jan. 1-31, 1945……………….10 Pages (Some areas difficult to read. Includes awards & map overlays)
Feb. 1-28, 1945……………….11 Pages (Some pages poor. Includes awards & map overlays)
Mar. 1-31, 1945……………….26 Pages (Includes S-1, 2, 3 reports & map overlays)
Apr. 1-30, 1945………………..6 Pages (Some areas difficult to read. Includes awards list)
June 1-30, 1945……………….6 Pages (Includes awards)(*)
7.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Annual Med. Detachment Rpt., Jan. 1-June 30, 1945………12 Pages (Includes awards)
Troop Assignment #147, June 12, 1945……………………..18 Pages