Unit History: Activated on 26 June, 1943, at Camp Hood, Texas, as one of several battalions with black enlisted personnel and mostly white officers. It also has the distinction of being the last tank destroyer battalion to be activated. Converted to a towed battalion on 14 July, 1943. Disembarked at Le Havre, France, on 21 January, 1945, then re-embarked at Marseilles on 1 March for transfer to Italy. Entered the line in IV Corps sector on 17 March. Supported assault on La Spezia in April and advanced to Genoa by early May. Attached to: 92d Infantry Division. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 3/45 – Towed 3″ Gun
Commanding Officers: Major Theodore R. C. King (Original CO, 6/26/43); Capt. Evans (12/3/43); Major J. H. Turner (1/4/44); Major Laurent (1/10/44); Lt. Col. Nichols (5/1/44); Lt. Col. Donald McGrayne (11/25/44); Major Harry L. Lyon (7/17/45); Lt. Col. James C. Horne (9/3/45)
Code Name/s: Unknown
Campaign Credits: North Apennines…………..Sept. 10, 1944 to Apr. 4, 1945
Po Valley…………………….Apr. 5, 1945 to May 8, 1945
Awards: None
Location August 1945: Bolzanetto, Italy
Additional Information/Materials:
The following documents are all of the files available from the National Archives in College Park, Maryland.
1.) Diary, June 26, 1942-June 30, 1945. This was kept by at least two people based on the differing hand writing.
Part 1…………………………….11 Pages
Part 2…………………………….11 Pages
Part 3………………………………8 Pages
Part 4…………………………….10 Pages
Part 5………………………………9 Pages (Includes casualties, awards & extensive officer roster)
2.) Unit Histories
March 1-31, 1945……………….1 Page
April 1-30, 1945…………………1 Page (Includes casualties)
May 1-31, 1945………………….2 Pages
June 1-30, 1945…………………1 Page (Includes awards)
July 1-31, 1945………………….2 Pages
Aug. 1-31, 1945…………………2 Pages
3.) Miscellaneous Documents
Route of travel & dates, Dec. 22, 1944-June 18, 1945………1 Page
S-3 Reports, April 4-June 1, 1945……………………………….8 Pages
Report on special missions fired, April 5-28, 1945…………..2 Pages
Map of unit positions, April 5-May 2, 1945…………………….1 Page
Officer Roster, April 16, 1945…………………………………….1 Page
Various Orders, Assignments, Directives, etc., 1944-1945..37 Pages
Assumption of Command, Sept. 3, 1945……………………….1 Page
GO #91, Unit Inactivation, Co. C, Oct. 26, 1945……………..1 Page