758th Tank Battalion (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 758th Tank Battalion was a tank battalion
of the United States Army
that served during World War II
. The first armored unit to consist of African-American soldiers, the 758th was formed in 1941 and served in Italy
.
, Kentucky
, to begin armored warfare training. On 8 May 1941 at Fort Knox
, Kentucky
the 78th Tank Battalion was re-designated as the 758th Tank Battalion (Light). It was the first of three units that would form the all-black 5th Tank Group
. The 758th trained in mechanized warfare using the M5 light tank. One of the battalion's more notable members was future baseball star Jackie Robinson
. Robinson was transferred to the unit from the 761st Tank Battalion after an incident in which he refused to move to the back of a civilian bus. The 758th was permanently attached to the 92nd Infantry Division until 22 September 1945 when the unit was deactivated.
The unit's insignia
is the head of a black African elephant with large white tusks accompanied by the motto, "We Pierce".
, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit currently operates from Fort Stewart
, Georgia
.
The African elephant remains the insignia of the unit and has earned them the nickname "The Tusker Regiment". Today they are known as the "Desert Rogues."
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
that served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The first armored unit to consist of African-American soldiers, the 758th was formed in 1941 and served in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
History
On 13 Jan. 1941, the U.S. Army established the 78th Tank Battalion, the first black armored unit. On March 1941 The tankers reported to Fort KnoxFort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, to begin armored warfare training. On 8 May 1941 at Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
the 78th Tank Battalion was re-designated as the 758th Tank Battalion (Light). It was the first of three units that would form the all-black 5th Tank Group
5th Tank Group (United States)
The 5th Tank Group was an all-black segregated armored formation that served in World War II.It was composed of the 758th Tank Battalion , 761st Tank Battalion and 784th Tank Battalion ....
. The 758th trained in mechanized warfare using the M5 light tank. One of the battalion's more notable members was future baseball star Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
. Robinson was transferred to the unit from the 761st Tank Battalion after an incident in which he refused to move to the back of a civilian bus. The 758th was permanently attached to the 92nd Infantry Division until 22 September 1945 when the unit was deactivated.
The unit's insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
is the head of a black African elephant with large white tusks accompanied by the motto, "We Pierce".
Legacy
The 758th was re-designated as the 64th Heavy Tank Battalion from 1949 to 1957. Today the unit exists as the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. The 1–64th has served with distinction in several armed conflicts including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert FoxOperation Desert Fox
The December 1998 bombing of Iraq was a major four-day bombing campaign on Iraqi targets from December 16–19, 1998 by the United States and United Kingdom...
, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit currently operates from Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post primarily in Liberty County and Bryan County, but also extending into smaller portions of Evans, Long, and Tattnall Counties in Georgia, USA. The population was 11,205 at the 2000 census...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
The African elephant remains the insignia of the unit and has earned them the nickname "The Tusker Regiment". Today they are known as the "Desert Rogues."
See also
- 761st Tank Battalion
- 784th Tank Battalion