Because the three captains commanding the companies of the 1st Bn, 1st Armored were all given battlefield promotions to major in recognition of their outstanding feats during the Battle for Oran, 8-10 November 1942.Carl Schwamberger wrote: ↑07 Nov 2020 04:49So, I'll bite why was a US Army Major commanding a company of 17 light tanks?
BTW, Major Carl Siglin commanded Company A, not B, and was killed in the Battle of Happy Valley. Company B was commanded by Major William Tuck who was later promoted to lieutenant colonel and commanded the 1st Bn in Italy. However, it wasn't Company B that made the attack on Djedeida Airfield on25 November 1942, it was Company C under Major Rudolph Barlow.