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4th Armored Division (United States)

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4th Armored Division
4th Armored Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1941–1972
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
TypeArmor
RoleArmored warfare
SizeDivision
Nickname(s)"Breakthrough" (1954)[1]
"Name Enough" (Unofficial)
Motto(s)"They shall be known by their deeds alone" (WWII)
ColorsRed, Blue and Yellow
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders		MGHenry W. Baird(4/41-5/42)
MGJohn S. Wood(5/42-12/44)
MGHugh J. Gaffey(12/44-3/45)
MGWilliam M. Hoge(3-6/45)
BGBruce C. Clarke(6-7/45)
BGWilliam. L. Roberts(7-9/45)
MGFay B. Prickett(9/45-5/46)
MGThomas Trapnell(54-55)
MGLeonard H. Kieley
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia
NATO Map Symbol
4
U.S. Armored Divisions
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3rd Armored Division(Inactive)5th Armored Division(Inactive)

The4th Armored Divisionwas anarmored divisionof theUnited States Armythat earned distinction while spearheadingGeneral Patton'sThird Armyin theEuropean theater of World War II.

The 4th Armored Division, unlike most other U.S. armored divisions during World War II, did not officially adopt a nickname for the division during the war. However, their unofficial nickname"Name Enough"came into use postwar; the division commander having said, "Fourth Armored Division was name enough"; "They shall be known by their deeds alone." The 4th was named the"Breakthrough"division in 1954, but that name was eventually discontinued.[5]

History

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The 4th Armored Division was activated duringWorld War IIon 15 April 1941 with 3,800 men (10,000 by the end of May 1941) from various other units, atPine Camp(Camp Drum, 1951;Fort Drum,1974),New Yorkunder its first Commanding General, Brigadier General Henry W. Baird.

World War II

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The division was organized as a full Armored Division in May and June 1942 under the command ofMajor GeneralJohn Shirley Wood.It left Pine Camp forCamp Forrestfor theTennesseemaneuvers in theCumberland Mountainsheld in September and October. In mid-November, it was transferred to theCamp IbisDesert Training Center(DTC) in the California-Arizona maneuver area and was the first Armored Division to occupy Camp Ibis nearNeedles, Californiain theMojave Desert,which was close to the Arizona and Nevada borders. On 3 June, the 4th AD arrived atCamp Bowie,Texas, an armored training center located in central Texas near Brownwood, for more maneuvers until about December when it departed forCamp Myles StandishinMassachusettsfor winter training. On 29 December, the 4th AD departed Boston to conduct training inEnglandin preparation for theinvasion of Normandy.

France

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8th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division crossing a canal in France, 12 September 1944

After training in England from January to July 1944, the 4th Armored Division landed atUtah Beach,on 11 July, over a month after the initialNormandy landings,and first entered combat on 17 July; on 28 July, battle action as part of theVIII Corpsexploitation force forOperation Cobra,the 4th AD secured theCoutancesarea. The 4th AD then swung south to takeNantes,cutting off theBrittanyPeninsula, 12 August 1944. Turning east, it drove swiftly across France north of theLoire,smashed across theMoselle11–13 September, flankedNancyand capturedLunéville,16 September. The 4th AD fought several Germanpanzergrenadierbrigadesin the Lorraine area including theSS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49andSS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51at this time,defeating a larger German forcethrough superior tactics and training.[6]

After maintaining a defensive line,ChambreytoXanreytoHénaménil,from 27 September to 11 October, the 4th AD rested briefly before returning to combat 9 November with an attack in the vicinity ofViviers.The 4th AD clearedBois de Serres,12 November, advanced throughDieuzeand crossed theSaar River,21–22 November, to establish and expand bridgehead and tookSinglingandBining,thenBaerendorf[7]24 November, before being relieved 8 December.

The 4th Armored Division received the following unit awards from France:Croix de Guerre with Palm(27–29 July 1944), Croix de Guerre with Palm (12–29 September 1944), andFrench Fourragerein the colors of the Croix de Guerre.

Battle of the Bulge

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Two days after the Germans launched theirArdennes Offensive,the 4th AD entered the fight (18 December 1944), racing northwest intoBelgium,covering 150 miles in 19 hours.[6]The 4th AD, spearheading Patton's Third Army, attacked the Germans atBastogneand, on 26 December, Brigadier GeneralHerbert L. Earnest's Combat Command A led the column that relieved Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, withCompany C, 37th Tank Battalionin the vanguard.[8][9]to break through at Bastogne and relieve the besieged101st Airborne Division.Six weeks later the 4th AD jumped off fromLuxembourg Cityin an eastward plunge that carried it across theMoselle RiveratTrier,south, and east toWorms,and across theRhine,24–25 March 1945. Advancing all night, the 4th AD crossed theMain Riverthe next day, south of Hanau, and continued to push on.Lauterbachfell 29 March,Creuzburgacross theWerraon 1 April,Gothaon 4 April – where the 4th AD liberatedOhrdruf concentration camp,the first Nazi camp liberated by U.S. troops.[10]By 12 April the 4th AD was across theSaale River.Pursuit of the enemy continued, and by 6 May the division had crossed intoCzechoslovakiaand established a bridgehead across theOtava RiveratStrakonice,with forwarding elements atPísek.The 4th AD was reassigned to theXII Corpson 30 April 1945.[11]The 4th AD received the following Letter of Commendation:[12]

To: Maj. Gen. Hugh J. Gaffey The outstanding celerity of your movement and the unremitting, vicious and skillful manner in which you pushed the attack, terminating at the end of four days and nights of incessant battle in the relief of Bastogne, constitutes one of the finest chapters in the glorious history of the United States Army. You and the officers and men of your command are hereby commended for a superior performance.

Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., Commander, Third U.S. Army

The 4th AD's second commander, Major General John Shirley Wood, (known as "P" Wood to his contemporaries, the "P" standing for "Professor", and "Tiger Jack" to his men) who took over the division officially on 18 June 1942, trained the 4th Armored Division for two years before he personally led it into combat in France, on 28 July 1944, and was awarded theDistinguished Service Cross.On 1 August, Gen.George Patton'sU.S. Third Armybecame operational and the 4th AD became the spearhead of the Third Army. The British military armor theorist and historian, Capt.Basil Henry Liddell Hart,once referred to General Wood as "theRommelof the American armored forces. "Like Rommel, Wood commanded from the front, and preferred staying on the offensive, using speed and envelopment tactics to confuse the enemy. General Wood often utilized a lightPiper Cubliaison aircraft flown by his personal pilot, Maj.Charles "Bazooka Charlie" Carpenter,to keep up with his rapidly moving division, sometimes personally carrying corps orders from headquarters directly to his advancing armored columns.[13]

On 3 December 1944, General Wood was relieved as division commander. The division was then led by Major GeneralHugh Gaffeythrough the Battle of the Bulge until March 23, when Brigadier General William M. Hoge was awarded command. Major General Fay B. Prickett commanded during the occupation period. Major GeneralArchibald R. Kennedycommanded the division after the war.

Among the most famous members of the 4th AD during World War II wasCreighton Abrams,who commanded the37th Tank Battalion.Abrams later rose to command all U.S. forces in South Vietnam during theVietnam Warand served as Army Chief of Staff in the 1970s. TheM-1 tankis named after him.[14]Abrams' friend,Harold Cohen,commanded the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion and fought in concert with Abrams' tanks.[15]

WWII Composition

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The division was composed of the following units:[16]

  • Headquarters
  • Headquarters Company
  • Combat Command A
  • Combat Command B
  • Combat Command Reserve
  • 8th Tank Battalion
  • 35th Tank Battalion
  • 37th Tank Battalion
  • 10th Armored Infantry Battalion
  • 51st Armored Infantry Battalion
  • 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4th Armored Division Artillery
    • 22nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion
    • 66th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
    • 94th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
  • 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized)
  • 24th Armored Engineer Battalion
  • 144th Armored Signal Company
  • 4th Armored Division Train Headquarters and Headquarters Company
    • 126th Ordnance Maintenance Battalion
    • 4th Armored Medical Battalion
    • Military Police Platoon
    • Band

Post-war

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M114A1of the Armored Cavalry Platoon 2/54th Infantry, 4th Armored Division takes part in exercises in Grafenwöhr, Germany.

The division remained as occupation forces in Germany after redesignation as theFirst Constabulary Brigade.[17]In 1949, it was redesignated back to 4th Armored Division and inactivated on 20 May 1949.[18]

The 4th AD was reactivated on 15 June 1954 atFort HoodinKilleen, Texaswith the name4th Armored "Breakthrough" Division[19]( "Breakthrough" was discontinued some years afterwards). In late 1957, the 4th AD was rotated toWest Germanyas part ofOperation Gyroscope,replacing the2nd Armored Division.Cooke Barracks inGöppingenserved as the division headquarters.

Combat Command "A" was located at Wiley Barracks,New Ulm.It comprised 2d Medium Tank Battalion (MTB),66th Armor(Leipheim); 2d Armored Rifle Battalion (ARB),41st Infantry(Neu Ulm); and 2d Armored Rifle Battalion,51st Infantry.Combat Command "B" was at Ferris Barracks,Erlangen,comprising the 1st MTB,35th Armor(Ferris Barracks); 2d MTB,67th Armor(Fürth); 2d ARB, 50th Infantry (Ferris Barracks); and 2d Reconnaissance Squadron, 15th Cavalry.[20]Combat Command "C" was at McKee Barracks,Crailsheim.[21]It comprised 1st MTB,37th Armor(McKee Barracks) and 1st ARB,54th Infantry.[22]

The 4th AD remained in Germany until final inactivation in May 1971, when it was reflagged as the1st Armored Division.

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InHarold Coyle's 1993techno-thriller"The Ten Thousand", the 4th Armored Division forms part of theUS Army Tenth Corps,and much of the novel's action is depicted from the point of view of members of the division.[23]

List of Commanding Generals during the Cold War

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  • Maj-GenAndrew P. O'Meara(1 Aug 1957 – 13 Feb 1959)
  • Maj-Gen James B. Quill (14 Feb 1959 – 1 Apr 1960)
  • Maj-GenJohn K. Waters(2 Apr 1960 – 27 Aug 1961)
  • Maj-GenJames H. Polk(28 Aug 1961 – 30 Nov 1962)
  • Maj-Gen John F. Franklin Jr. (1 Dec 1962 – 31 May 1964)
  • Maj-Gen Alexander D. Surles Jr. (1 Jun 1964 – 17 Dec 1965)
  • Maj-GenJames W. Sutherland(18 Dec 1965 – 23 May 1967)
  • Maj-Gen Edward C.D. Scherrer (24 May 1967 – 2 Dec 1968)
  • Maj-Gen Stephen W. Downey, Jr. (3 Dec 1968 – 4 Feb 1970)
  • Maj-Gen William W. Cobb (5 Feb 1970 – 10 May 1971)

WWII names

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American[12]
  • The Rolling 4th
  • Flying 4th
  • Phantom 4th
  • Ghost Division
  • Fire Alarm Division
German[12]
  • American Elite Fourth Armored Division
  • Roosevelt's Butchers (by Nazi propagandists)

WWII statistics

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Casualties[24]
  • Total battle casualties: 6,212
  • Killed in action: 1,143
  • Wounded in action: 4,551
  • Missing in action: 65
  • Prisoners of war: 453
Medal of Honor recipients
Unit awards

The 4th Armored Division was the first U.S. Armored Division to be awarded thePresidential Unit Citation:

  • Presidential Unit Citation (Army),World War II (ARDENNES, 22 December 1944 – 27 March 1945; WD GO 54, 1945)
  • French Croix de Guerre with Palm,World War II (NORMANDY, 27–30 July 1944; DA GO 43, 1950)
  • French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II (MOSELLE RIVER, 12–29, September 1944; DA GO 43, 1950)
  • FrenchFourragere(Croix de Guerre colors), World War II (DA GO 43, 1950)
Assignments
  1. First United States Army:18 December 1943
  2. VIII Corps:22 January 1944
  3. XX Corps:9 March 1944
  4. XV Corps:20 April 1944
  5. VIII Corps:15 July 1944
  6. XII Corps:13 August 1944
  7. III Corps:19 December 1944
  8. VIII Corps:2 January 1945
  9. XII Corps:12 January 1945
  10. VIII Corps:4 April 1945
  11. X Corps:9 April 1945
  12. VIII Corps:17 April 1945

See also

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References

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  1. ^The Armored Sentinel, Foot Hood, Texas, 15 April 1954[1]Archived24 September 2015 at theWayback MachineRetrieved 30 September 2014
  2. ^http:// history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/adcomp.htmlArchived18 October 2020 at theWayback MachineComponent Elements of Armored Divisions in World War II
  3. ^Stanton, Shelby L. (1984). World War II Order of Battle. New York, New York: Galahad Books World War II Order of Battle p52
  4. ^http:// history.army.mil/documents/ETO-OB/4AD-ETO.htmORDER OF BATTLE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY WORLD WAR II EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
  5. ^The Armored Sentinel, Fort Hood, Texas, 15 April 1954[2]Archived24 September 2015 at theWayback MachineRetrieved 30 September 2014
  6. ^abFox, Don M. (2003).Patton's Vanguard: The United States Army Fourth Armored Division.Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co.ISBN0-7864-1582-7.OCLC52766067.
  7. ^(in French)dday-overlord La 4e Division Blindée le 24 novembre 1944.Archived15 December 2014 at theWayback Machine
  8. ^National Cyclopaedia of American Biography.Vol. 57. New York, NY: James T. White & Co. 1977. p. 44 – viaInternet Archive.
  9. ^25 February 2009.[3]Retrieved 10 October 2014
  10. ^Holocost Encyclopedia
  11. ^Office of the Theater Historian (December 1945)."4th Armored Division".Order of Battle of the United States Army World War II European Theater of Operations: Divisions.Paris: Office of the Theater Historian. pp. 448–459. Archived fromthe originalon 11 March 2008.Retrieved31 March2011.
  12. ^abcLone Sentry
  13. ^Kerns, Raymond C.,Above the Thunder: Reminiscences of a Field Artillery Pilot in World War II,Kent State University Press,ISBN978-0-87338-980-8,ISBN0-87338-980-8(2009), pp. 23-24, 293-294
  14. ^"m-1 abrahms".The Gulf War,Frontline.Retrieved31 March2011.
  15. ^"Salute to Lt. Col. Harold Cohen on his Receipt of Distinguished Service Cross".Congressional Record.142(64): H4787–H4788. 9 May 1996.Retrieved18 January2023.
  16. ^"Order of Battle of the US Army - WWII - ETO - 4th Armored Division".US Army Center of Military History.Retrieved22 May2020.
  17. ^The Armored Sentinel,Fort Hood, Texas, 15 April 1954
  18. ^"Cooke Barracks: A Chronology, 1945-2005".Archived fromthe originalon 8 February 2015.Retrieved22 March2015.
  19. ^The Armored Sentinel,Fort Hood Texas, 15 April 1954[4]Archived24 September 2015 at theWayback MachineRetrieved 27 Sept. 2014
  20. ^4th Armored Division Yearbook 1958 via usarmygermany
  21. ^"4th Armored Division".
  22. ^4th Armored Division Yearbook 1958
  23. ^Coyle, Harold(1993).The Ten Thousand.Pocket Books.ISBN0-671-85292-2.
  24. ^Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths, Final Report (Statistical and Accounting Branch, Office of the Adjutant General, 1 June 1953)
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