Armored Buffalo Soldiers

[Yngwie J.]

The U.S. Army had two Tank battalions, the 761st and the 784th, and two Tank Destroyer battalions, the 614th and the 827th, of Afro-American soldiers. What was the operational history of this units and how were they equipped ?

TIA,
Yngwie J.

[Lawrence Tandy]

I know that many fought very well in the Ardennes, but I'm not sure which unit fought where, or if all were involved in this battle.

LT

[Yngwie J.]

I know the 761st TB joined Pattons 3rd Army probably in late 1944. And that they received the Distinguished Unit Citation, somewhat delayed, in 1978.

Yngwie

[daveh]

Here are a few references to get you started

716th tank battalion:

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/topics/afam/761TkBn-2.htm

784th tank battalion:

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/et ... ID-ETO.htm

614th tank destroyer battalion:

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/et ... ID-ETO.htm

817th Tank Destroyer Battalion:

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/et ... AD-ETO.htm

The Army's 761st Tank Battalion earned a Commendation for service in the Ardennes and soldiers in the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion earned eight Silver Stars, twenty eight Bronze Stars, and seventy nine Purple Hearts.
source http://www.sumtercountymuseum.com/exhib ... right.html

An article on Afro Americans in the military in WW2

http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/in ... hron3b.htm

[Yngwie J.]

Once again you come to my rescue.

Thanks again daveh.

[ChristopherPerrien]

Funny they got attached to Patton"s Third Army.

In "War as I Knew IT", Patton said something close to " The black soldier cannot think fast enough to be in armour and I have no reason to change my opinion now", I think he was talking about those tank destroyer battalions at the time.

[Yngwie J.]

Patton was a racist, but he seems to have accepted 716thTB at some point as he told them : "I don´t care what colour you are as long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sons-of-bithces".