2nd Armored Division

2nd US Armored Division "Hell on Wheels" home

Divisional informationDivisional troops

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Command Posts

#Divisional information Top

History

Activated 15.07.1940

Arrived ETO 24.11.1943

Arrived Continent (D+3) 09.06.1944

Entered Combat (first elements) 08.11.1942 (at Casablanca)

Entered Combat (first elements) 13.07.1944 (on continent)

Entered Combat (entire division) 10.07.1943 (Sicily)

Entered Combat (entire division) 02.07.1944 (on continent)

Call sign Powerhouse

Statistic

Days in Combat ?

Prisoners of War Taken 76.963

Casualties (Tentative)

Killed 1.102

Wounded 5.331

Missing 253

Captured 65

Battle Casualties 6.751

Non-Battle Casualties 7.116

Total Casualties 13.867

Percent of T/O Strength 95.9%

Individual Awards

Medal of Honor 3

Distinguished Service Cross

23

Legion of Merit 30

Silver Star 2302

Soldiers Medal 189

Bronze Star 6404

Air Medal 378

Distinguished Flying Cross

3

Distinguished Service Medal

7

Medal of Honor Recipients

BURT, James M.Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company B, 66th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Division.Place and date: Near Wurselen, Germany, 13 October 1944.Citation: Capt. James M. Burt was in command of Company B, 66th Armored Regiment on the western outskirts of Wurselen, Germany, on 13 October 1944, when his organization participated in a coordinated infantry-tank attack destined to isolate the large German garrison which was tenaciously defending the city of Aachen. In the first day's action, when infantrymen ran into murderous small-arms and mortar fire, Capt. Burt dismounted from his tank about 200 yards to the rear and moved forward on foot beyond the infantry positions, where, as the enemy concentrated a tremendous volume of fire upon him, he calmly motioned his tanks into good firing positions. As our attack gained momentum, he climbed aboard his tank and directed the action from the rear deck, exposed to hostile volleys which finally wounded him painfully in the face and neck. He maintained his dangerous post despite pointblank self-propelled gunfire until friendly artillery knocked out these enemy weapons, and then proceeded to the advanced infantry scouts' positions to deploy his tanks for the defense of the gains which had been made. The next day, when the enemy counterattacked, he left cover and went 75 yards through heavy fire to assist the infantry battalion commander who was seriously wounded. For the next 8 days, through rainy, miserable weather and under constant, heavy shelling, Capt. Burt held the combined forces together, dominating and controlling the critical situation through the sheer force of his heroic example. To direct artillery fire, on 15 October, he took his tank 300 yards into the enemy lines, where he dismounted and remained for 1 hour giving accurate data to friendly gunners. Twice more that day he went into enemy territory under deadly fire on reconnaissance. In succeeding days he never faltered in his determination to defeat the strong German forces opposing him. Twice the tank in which he was riding was knocked out by enemy action, and each time he climbed aboard another vehicle and continued the fight. He took great risks to rescue wounded comrades and inflicted prodigious destruction on enemy personnel and materiel even though suffering from the wounds he received in the battle's opening phase. Capt. Burt's intrepidity and disregard of personal safety were so complete that his own men and the infantry who attached themselves to him were inspired to overcome the wretched and extremely hazardous conditions which accompanied one of the most bitter local actions of the war. The victory achieved closed the Aachen gap.

KISTERS, Gerry H.Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant (then Sergeant), U.S. Army, 2d Armored Division.Place and date: Near Gagliano, Sicily, 31 July 1943.Citation: On 31 July 1943, near Gagliano, Sicily, a detachment of 1 officer and 9 enlisted men, including Sgt. Kisters, advancing ahead of the leading elements of U.S. troops to fill a large crater in the only available vehicle route through Gagliano, was taken under fire by 2 enemy machineguns. Sgt. Kisters and the officer, unaided and in the face of intense small arms fire, advanced on the nearest machinegun emplacement and succeeded in capturing the gun and its crew of 4. Although the greater part of the remaining small arms fire was now directed on the captured machinegun position, Sgt. Kisters voluntarily advanced alone toward the second gun emplacement. While creeping forward, he was struck 5 times by enemy bullets, receiving wounds in both legs and his right arm. Despite the wounds, he continued to advance on the enemy, and captured the second machinegun after killing 3 of its crew and forcing the fourth member to flee. The courage of this soldier and his unhesitating willingness to sacrifice his life, if necessary, served as an inspiration to the command.

WHITTINGTON, HULON B.Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 41st Armored Infantry, 2d Armored Division.Place and date: Near Grimesnil, France, 29 July 1944.Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On the night of 29 July 1944, near Grimesnil, France, during an enemy armored attack, Sgt. Whittington, a squad leader, assumed command of his platoon when the platoon leader and platoon sergeant became missing in action. He reorganized the defense and, under fire, courageously crawled between gun positions to check the actions of his men. When the advancing enemy attempted to penetrate a roadblock, Sgt. Whittington, completely disregarding intense enemy action, mounted a tank and by shouting through the turret, directed it into position to fire pointblank at the leading Mark V German tank. The destruction of this vehicle blocked all movement of the remaining enemy column consisting of over 100 vehicles of a Panzer unit. The blocked vehicles were then destroyed by handgrenades, bazooka, tank, and artillery fire and large numbers of enemy personnel were wiped out by a bold and resolute bayonet charge inspired by Sgt. Whittington. When the medical aid man had become a casualty, Sgt. Whittington personally administered first aid to his wounded men. The dynamic leadership, the inspiring example, and the dauntless courage of Sgt. Whittington, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Campaigns

Normandy in WWII

Northern France in WWII

Rhineland in WWII

Ardennes-Alsace in WWII

Central Europe in WWII

Commanding General (CG)

http://www.unithistories.com/units/campaign.htm%20%5C%5C%20centraleurope

http://www.unithistories.com/units/campaign.htm%20%5C%5C%20ardennes

http://www.unithistories.com/units/campaign.htm%20%5C%5C%20rhineland

http://www.unithistories.com/units/campaign.htm%20%5C%5C%20northernfrance

http://www.unithistories.com/units/campaign.htm%20%5C%5C%20normandy

15.07.1940 Maj.-Gen. Charles L. Scott

00.11.1940 Brig.-Gen. George S. Patton (Jr.)

00.01.1942 Lt.-Gen. (?) Willis D. Crittenberger

00.07.1942 Maj.-Gen. Ernest N. Harmon

07.04.1943 Brig.-Gen. Allen F. Kingman

06.05.1943 Maj.-Gen. Hugh J. Gaffey

18.03.1944 Maj.-Gen. Edward H. Brooks

12.09.1944 Maj.-Gen. Ernest N. Harmon

18.01.1945 Brig.-Gen. Isaac D. White

23.03.1945 Maj.-Gen. Isaac D. White

Artillery Commander

24.11.1943 Col. Thomas A. Roberts (Jr.)

05.08.1944 Lt.-Col. Carl I. Hutton

02.11.1944 Col. Carl I. Hutton

Chief of Staff

24.11.1943 Col. Redding F. Perry

18.03.1944 Col. Charles D. Pamer

29.09.1944 Col. Clayton J. Mansfield

30.12.1944 Col. Gustavus W. West

Assistant Chief of Staff G-1

24.11.1943 Lt.-Col. Harold M. Forde

07.10.1944 Maj. Calvin S. Hannum

10.01.1945 Lt.-Col. Calvin S. Hannum


24.11.1943 Lt.-Col. Harold M. Forde

27.04.1944 Lt.-Col. Jesse M. Hawkins (Jr.)

09.09.1944 Maj. Eugene A. Trahan

16.12.1944 Lt.-Col. Eugene A. Trahan


24.11.1943 Maj. Lindsay C. Herkness (Jr.)

27.12.1943 Lt.-Col. Russell W. Jenna

23.01.1945 Lt.-Col. Briard P. Johnson

24.04.1945 Lt.-Col. Jasper J. Wilson


19.02.1944 Lt.-Col. Charles C. Peterson

15.12.1944 Lt.-Col. Lewis M. Flint


19.02.1944 Maj. Marcel F.J. Brunow

15.07.1944 Lt.-Col. Marcel F.J. Brunow

11.12.1944 Maj. Byron L. Connell (acting)

26.12.1944 Lt.-Col. Marcel F.J. Brunow

Adjutant General

24.11.1943 Lt.-Col. Robert H. Shell

19.03.1945 Maj. Clem G. Hailey

07.04.1945 Maj. Robert F. Smith

Commanding Officer, Combat Command A

24.11.1943 Brig.-Gen. Maurice Rose

04.08.1944 Col. John H. Collier

12.11.1944 Brig.-Gen. John H. Collier

Commanding Officer, Combat Command B

24.11.1943 Col. Isaac D. White

28.05.1944 Brig.-Gen. Isaac D. White

19.01.1945 Col. Sidney R. Hinds

21.03.1945 Brig-Gen. Sidney R. Hinds

#Divisional troops Top

Armor

2nd Armored Brigade 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

CO: Brig.-Gen. George S. Patton (Jr.) 15.07.1940-00.11.1940

- 66th Armored Regiment (Light) 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

- 67th Armored Regiment (Medium) 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

- 68th Armored Regiment (Light) 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

66th Armored Regiment 08.01.1942-end of war

67th Armored Regiment 08.01.1942-end of war

Field Artillery (FA)

Headquarters & Headquarters Battery 08.01.1942-end of war

14th Armored FA Battalion 15.07.1940-end of war

78th Armored FA Battalion 15.07.1940-end of war

92nd Armored FA Battalion 08.01.1942-end of war

Infantry

41st Armored Infantry Regiment 15.07.1940-end of war

Other troops

Headquarters & Headquarters Company 15.07.1940-end of war

Hq & Hq Company, Division Trains 08.01.1942-end of war

Hq & Hq Company, Combat Command A (CCA) 08.01.1942-end of war

Hq & Hq Company, Combat Command B (CCB) 08.01.1942-end of war

48th Signal Company 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

142nd Armored Signal Company 08.01.1942-end of war

17th Armored Engineer Battalion 15.07.1940-end of war

2nd Reconnaissance Battalion 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

CO: Maj. Isaac D. White 15.07.1940-00.00.0000

82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 08.01.1942-end of war

17th Ordnance Battalion 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

2nd Ordnance Maintenance Battalion 08.01.1942-end of war

48th Armored Medical Battalion 15.07.1940-end of war

14th Armored Quartermaster Battalion 15.07.1940-07.01.1942

Supply Battalion 08.01.1942-end of war

Service Company 15.07.1940-end of war

Military Police Platoon 00.00.0000-00.00.0000

#Attachments Top

Antiaircraft Artillery (AAA)

195th AAA AW Battalion (SP) 11.06.1944-end of war

C & D Batteries, 129th AAA Gun Battalion (Mobile)

25.07.1944-30.07.1944

A & B Batteries, 474th AAA AW Battalion (SP)

28.07.1944-31.07.1944

Armored

B Squad, 1st Fife & Forfar Yeo, 79th Armored Division (British)

15.11.1944-24.11.1944 & 25.12.1944-18.01.1945

40th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division 23.11.1944-24.11.1944

Elements, 738th Tank Battalion (Mine Exploder)

12.01.1945-17.01.1945

A Company, 739th Tank Battalion 27.02.1945-05.03.1945

Cavalry

24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron 25.07.1944-28.07.1944

113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron 06.08.1944-15.08.1944

1st Platoon, 30th Reconnaissance Troop, 30th Infantry Division

07.08.1944-12.08.1944

4th Cavalry Group 23.12.1944-31.12.1944

Engineer

B Company, 327th Engineer Combat Battalion, 102nd Infantry Division

16.11.1944-25.11.1944

B Company, 105th Engineer Combat Battalion, 30th Infantry Division

02.04.1945-16.04.1945

Field Artillery (FA)

65th Armored FA Battalion

03.07.1944-08.07.1944 & 13.07.1944-30.09.1944 & 05.10.1944-21.12.1944 & 05.02.1945-10.03.1945 & 27.03.1945-19.04.1945

62nd Armored FA Battalion25.07.1944-22.09.1944 & 06.10.1944-25.10.1944

258th FA Battalion (155mm Gun)06.08.1944-26.08.1944 & 03.10.1944-30.10.1944

70th FA Battalion (105mm Howitzer) 25.10.1944-03.11.1944

557th FA Battalion (155mm Gun) 30.10.1944-08.11.1944

83rd Armored FA Battalion 04.11.1944-24.11.1944

http://houterman.htmlplanet.com/79ArmdDiv.htm

http://houterman.htmlplanet.com/79ArmdDiv.htm

380th FA Battalion, 102nd Infantry Division (105mm Howitzer)

17.11.1944-25.11.1944

957th FA Battalion (155mm Howitzer) 22.12.1944-17.01.1945

87th Armored FA Battalion 22.12.1944-19.01.1945

696th Armored FA Battalion06.02.1945-10.03.1945 & 26.03.1945-19.04.1945

258th FA Group 26.02.1945-05.03.1945

113th FA Battalion, 30th Infantry Division (155mm Howitzer)

02.04.1945-05.04.1945

197th FA Battalion, 30th Infantry Division (105mm Howitzer)

02.04.1945-17.04.1945

Infantry

22nd CT, 4th Infantry Division 21.07.1944-01.08.1944

- 44th FA Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (105mm Howitzer)

21.07.1944-01.08.1944

- 1st Platoon, C Company, 4th Engineer Combat Battalion, 4th Infantry Division

21.07.1944-01.08.1944

2nd Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division

02.08.1944-12.08.1944 & 11.11.1944-28.11.1944

3rd Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division

03.08.1944-04.08.1944


09.08.1944-12.08.1944


11.08.1944-14.08.1944

99th Infantry Battalion 15.08.1944-18.09.1944


04.10.1944-29.10.1944

2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division

08.10.1944-11.10.1944

405th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division

26.10.1944-03.11.1944

1st Battalion, 405th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division

03.11.1944-06.11.1944

406th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division (less 1st Battalion

06.11.1944-25.11.1944

1st Battalion, 406th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division

09.11.1944-25.11.1944

335th CT, 84th Infantry Division 22.11.1944-24.11.1944

1st Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division

25.11.1944-03.12.1944

60th CT, 9th Infantry Division 22.12.1944-23.12.1944

2nd Battalion, 291st Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division

25.12.1944-28.12.1944

1st, 2nd & 3rd Battalions, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division

01.01.1945-10.01.1945

335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division

01.01.1945-11.01.1945

1st & 2nd Battalion, 333rd Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division

10.01.1945-17.01.1945

3rd Battalion, 333rd Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division

10.01.1945-17.01.1945

331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division

28.02.1945-01.03.1945

- 908th FA Battalion, 83rd Infantry Division (105mm Howitzer)

28.02.1945-01.03.1945

- C Company, 308th Engineer Combat Battalion

28.02.1945-01.03.1945


01.03.1945-04.03.1945


29.03.1945-02.04.1945


02.04.1945-17.04.1945

Tank Destroyer (TD)

702nd TD Battalion (SP)11.06.1944-21.09.1944 & 01.10.1944-07.02.1945 & 27.02.1945-end of war

A Company, 814th TD Battalion 23.11.1944-24.11.1944

#Assignments Top

DateAssigned to Corps

Assigned to Army

Attached to Army

Assigned to Army Group

Attached to Army Group

24.11.1943

First Army ETOUSA

27.11.1943

VII Corps First Army

08.02.1944

XIX Corps First Army

12.06.1944

V Corps First Army

18.07.1944

VII Corps First Army

02.08.1944

XIX Corps First Army12th Army Group

07.08.1944

VII Corps First Army12th Army Group

13.08.1944


18.08.1944

V Corps First Army12th Army Group

19.08.1944


28.08.1944

XV Corps First Army12th Army Group

29.08.1944


22.10.1944

XIX Corps Ninth Army12th Army Group

22.12.1944


21st Army Group (British)

18.01.1945


16.02.1945


21st Army Group (British)

04.04.1945


08.05.1945

Ninth Army12th Army Group

#Detachments Top

Unit Attached to

1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment101st Airborne Division

16.06.1944-28.06.1944

1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment83rd Infantry Division

28.06.1944-06.07.1944

CCA XIX Corps 28.07.1944-16.08.1944

G Company, 66th Armored Regiment113th Cavalry Group

22.09.1944-01.10.1944

3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment30th Infantry Division

12.10.1944-22.10.1944

A Company, 67th Armored Regiment7th Armored Group

18.12.1944-22.12.1944

82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion4th Cavalry Group

19.01.1945-21.01.1945

78th Armored FA Battalion4th Cavalry Group

19.01.1945-21.01.1945

2nd Armored Divisional Artillery30th Infantry Division

07.02.1945-27.02.1945

CCB3rd Infantry Division

26.02.1945-27.02.1945

E Company, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion

1153rd Engineer Combat Group

09.03.1945-31.03.1945

2nd Armored Divisional Artillery113th Cavalry Group

11.03.1945-26.03.1945

CCR83rd Infantry Division

14.04.1945-20.04.1945

3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment83rd Infantry Division

19.04.1945-30.04.1945

#Command Posts Top

Date Town Region Country

27.11.1943 Tidworth Wiltshire England

07.06.1944 St-Laurent-sur-Mer Calvados France

10.06.1944 La Mine Calvados France

02.07.1944St-Paul-du-Vernay (vic NW)

Calvados France

18.07.1944 La Mine Calvados France

24.07.1944 Le Dezert Manche France

25.07.1944Pont Herbert (vic W)

Manche France

26.07.1944Notre-Dame-de-Cenilly (vic SW)

Manche France

03.08.1944 Percy (vic S) Manche France

04.08.1944 Courson (vic N) Manche France

07.08.1944Le Teilleul (1 Mi NE)

Manche France

10.08.1944 Barenton (2 Mi W) Manche France

18.08.1944 Sees (1 mi S) Orne France

19.08.1944Longny-au-Perche (vic W)

Orne France

20.08.1944 Brezolles (vic N) Eure-et-Loire France

25.08.1944Le Neubourg (3 mi S)

Eure France

27.08.1944Mantes-Gassicourt (4 mi W)

Eure France

30.08.1944Magny-en-Vexin (vic N)

Seinte-et-Oise France

31.08.1944 Beauvais (2 mi S) Oise France

01.09.1944 Peronne (vic NW) Somme France

02.09.1944 Rumes Hainaut Belgium

06.09.1944 Archennes (vic W) Brabant Belgium

08.09.1944 Louvain (vic SE) Brabant Belgium

09.09.1944 Hasselt (4 mi W) Limbourg Belgium

16.09.1944Maastricht (2 mi NE)

Limburg Netherlands

18.09.1944 Schimmert Limburg Netherlands

19.09.1944 Oirsbeek (1 mi SE) Limburg Netherlands

04.10.1944 Nieuwenhagen Limburg Netherlands

09.10.1944 Grotenrath Rhineland Germany

11.10.1944 Waubach Limburg Netherlands

11.11.1944Palenberg (1/2 mi E)

Rhineland Germany

17.11.1944 Ubach (1 mi SE) Rhineland Germany

24.11.1944Baesweiler (1/2 mi SE)

Rhineland Germany

22.12.1944 Havelange (2 mi S) Namur Belgium

25.12.1944 Mohiville (1 mi W) Namur Namur

28.12.1944 Leignon Namur Belgium

29.12.1944 Mohiville (1 mi W) Namur Belgium

02.01.1945 Weris Luxembourg Belgium

07.01.1945 Fisenne Luxembourg Belgium

11.01.1945 Erpigny Luxembourg Belgium

13.01.1945 Odeigne Luxembourg Belgium

14.01.1945 St-Jean (Farm) Luxembourg Belgium

20.01.1945 Florze Liege Belgium

03.02.1945 Gulpen (1 mi W) Limburg Netherlands

24.02.1945 Aachen (2 mi NW) Rhineland Germany

27.02.1945 Mersch Rhineland Germany

28.02.1945 Garzweiler Rhineland Germany

01.03.1945 Glehn Rhineland Germany

02.03.1945 Heide Rhineland Germany

03.03.1945 Krefeld (4 mi S) Rhineland Germany

14.03.1945 Schiefbahn Rhineland Germany

28.03.1945 Bruckhausen Westphalia Germany

29.03.1945 Altschermbeck Westphalia Germany

30.03.1945 Hullern (1 mi E) Westphalia Germany

31.03.1945 Walstedde Westphalia Germany

01.04.1945 Stromberg Westphalia Germany

02.04.1945 Schloss Holte Westphalia Germany

04.04.1945 Lemgo Westphalia Germany

05.04.1945 Schwobber Hannover Germany

07.04.1945 Elze Hannover Germany

10.04.1945 Soder Hannover Germany

11.04.1945 Hornburg Hannover Germany

12.04.1945 Klein Wanzleben Hannover Germany

13.04.1945 Gross Ottersleben Hannover Germany

21.04.1945 Wolfenbuttel Hannover Germany

Documents

2nd Armored Division