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WARNING about Wikipedia and other one-page sources of 7AD "information": There is a web page about the US 7th Armored Division on Wikipedia. In the past, this web page has had significant errors about the Division's history. The page was based on the Army's post-war one-page summary done of 7AD's actions in WWII that was woefully inaccurate, very clearly written by someone who knew very little about what 7AD had really done. For example, the Division was shown moving from France to Holland on 8 October 1944 and going into a defensive role. This completely ignored (a) the 25-26 September move to Holland and (b) the 30 September - 7 October attacks and bitter combat by the Division at Overloon -- not at all a defensive role. And this was just one of many errors. I have attempted to correct the Wikipedia page, but because Wikipedia is open to any updater, someone could come along and change what I posted. The bottom line is this: If you really want to know what the Division did, read the history section of this page. If you want to know more, read the many documents on the 7AD Document Repository page, and follow the links on this page to other 7AD pages. And forget about Wikipedia and any other web pages based on the inaccurate one-page summary of what 7AD supposedly did in the war.

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Click on the map for a larger version (77K JPG).

Commanding Generals during combat

• Maj. Gen. Lindsay McDonald Silvester (March 1942 - November 1, 1944)
• Brig. Gen. [promoted on February 6, 1945 to Maj. Gen.] Robert W. Hasbrouck (November 1, 1944 - August, 1945)

• Concentration Camps
  • Belsen Concentration Camp - visited May 1, 1945 after earlier liberation by British
    31st Tank Battalion Unit History for May 1945
    A number of officers and men during the remainder of the morning paid informal visits to the concentration camp at Belsen now under control of the British. The simple statement on a closed grave 'Approximately 1000 persons Buried Here, April 27, 1945' gives some indication of the condition in which the camp was found.
• POW Camps
  • Hemer, Germay - Stalag VI-A - April 14, 1945
    • 7th Armored Division After Action Report for April 1945, pp. 37-39 - part of a larger text on the liberation of this camp and the conditions found; click here to go to this complete report.
      The next important objective was the town of HEMER. Operations against the town itself were temporarily suspended at 1200 while the CO of TF DAILEY, Major THOMAS DAILEY, Executive Officer, 17th Tank Battalion, was taken behind enemy lines in an attempt to negotiate a peaceful entry of our troops into HEMER. The Germans wished to declare it an open city because of the presence of slightly over 23000 allied prisoners in a prison camp just outside the town. However„ the German General's terms* were unsatisfactory and at 2030 the attack was resumed. ... TF WEMPLE held control of the woods on the high ground southwest of HEMER, TF DAILEY had moved south of the town, and TF DANUBE (3/395) had attacked, seized and secured SUDWIG (0839) under moderate artillery and AT fire at 1250. These positions were consolidated and tanks and TD's deployed so that they could fire into the town. At 2030 TF DANUBE attacked and secured HEMER with TF RHEA, TF WEMPLE, and TF DAILEY prepared to support with direct fire across their front if they needed it. ... At 1600, the tank company commander and the battalion S-2 of the 17th Tk Bn who were in the assault wave of TF WEMPLE, walked to the large PW enclosure that was at the foot of the hill west of their position. Here they were met by a German officer bearing a note stating that there were 23000 allied prisoners of war in the enclosure whom the officials were ready to surrender to our forces. The tank CO and S-2 were taken to the Camp Commandant where they learned that Major THOMAS DAILEY CO of TF DAILEY and at that time negotiating for the surrender of HEMER, had already been there and instructed the Germans to keep control of the PW's s until some of our forces could take over. He foresaw the impossible situation if all these half-starved prisoners were turned loose on the countryside. However, as most of the guards had already disposed of their weapons and the prisoners were beginning to clip the barbed wire and slip out in twos and threes, it was necessary for TF WEMPLE to send two platoons of infantry and one platoon of light tanks to keep them in the cage.
    • 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for April 1945, p. 12 - part of a larger text on the liberation of this camp and the taking of Hemer; click here to go to this complete report.
      The position was consolidated and the tanks and TD's were deployed so that they could fire into the town of Hemer. The tank company commander and the Bn S-2 were with the assault wave and they walked down to the large PW enclosure, which was at the foot of the hill west of our objective, where they were met by a German officer bearing a note stating that there were 24000 allied Prisoners of War in the enclosure which the officials were ready to surrender to our forces. The tank CO and the S-2 entered the enclosure and were taken to the camp commandant, here they learned that Major T W Dailey who commanded TF Dailey had already been there and instructed the Germans to keep control of the PW's until some of our forces could take over. However, most of the German guards had disposed of their weapons and the prisoners were beginning to break out of the enclosure so TF Wemple sent two platoons of infantry and a platoon of light tanks down to keep the Russians in the cage. It would have been an impossible situation had all of the 24000 half starved prisoners been released.
      Major Dailey entered the town of Hemer and was escorted to a German Hq to discuss surrender of the town. This negotiation continued until late in the afternoon when our division refused the terms of the German commanding general. Late in the afternoon TF Wemple was ordered to maintain control of the prison camp and to support TF Danube by direct fire across their front if they needed it. TF Danube was to be prepared to attack and secure Hemer at 2030.
      At 2315 we were informed that we would be relieved of the prison camp guard duties sometime during the night or early morning by 3/395 Inf Regt, but that we would remain in place awaiting further orders.
      At 2325 the CP group was moved into a house on the eastern edge of Hemer and the tanks remained on the original objective in the vicinity of coordinates 035096. The entire infantry company, B/23, was engaged in guarding the prison camp.
      15 April 1945: We were finally completely relieved of the prison camp guard duty at 1015.
  • Giessen, Germany: See Wetzlar below
  • Limburg, Germany: Stalag on the Lahn River - March 1945 - Highly Unlikely
    • Claudio Michael Becker (cbfw190@t-online.de) reports: "Also, the 7th liberated a STALAG at Limburg at the Lahn River." [WESLEY JOHNSTON NOTE: Thus far, I have not been able to find any 7AD records that tell of liberating a Stalag on the Lahn. In fact, 7th Armored Division never reached Limburg. Though their initial orders were to take Limburg, the orders were changed before they reached Limburg, and they turned east and went instead to the area of Wetzlar.]
  • Lollar, Germany - Oflag XII-B: March 28, 1945 - liberated 300 British and New zealand officers
    • 48th Armored Infantry Battalion Unit History for 1945
      The battalion cleared Oberhausen at 0600 on the 28th and moved north and then east to Loller where it freed Oflag 12B, the German PW camp for British officers and generals. Among the 300 officers were 13 brigadiers.
    • 7th Armored Division After Action Report for March 1945 (p. 33)
      LIBERATION OF POW'S TF CHAPPUIS of Combat Command "B" had the pleasant experience at 281500 of liberating about 300 British officers, including 14 Generals, held prisoner in OFLAG 12B. This German prisoner of war of war camp located near LOLLAR had actually been in Allied hands about an hour before the leading elements of the task force reached it. At that time, the German commander had assembled his guards, numbering about 100, taken up all their weapons and turned himself and his men over to the British officers in formal surrender. As the rear of the column passed, the British flag could be seen waving from the enclosure pole.
    • Click here to see the text of a New Zealand book that gives accounts of the liberation of Oflag XII-B's prisoners who had been been marched from Oflag XII-B's location at Hadamar, Germany to Lollar, Germany to await transport elsewhere but were liberated by 7th Armored Division.
  • Sinn, Germany: March 27, 1945 - liberated 900 POWs
    • Claudio Michael Becker (cbfw190@t-online.de) reports: "For my hometown SINN, I found interesting information about POW and CW camps on the so-called "Geheime Industriekarte (Secret Industry card)", which includes information about the things, a factory produced, how many people worked there and how many and what kind of foreign people. The 900 POW´s, which were freed by US Ground Forces of the 7th Armored Division on March, 27th 1945 at Sinn, were not hold in one camp!! Also, there were different orders how to hold which kind of POW or forced slave workers. The Russian and eastern POW´s were held at (at least) 3 different locations in our town."
    • Combat Command "R" After Action Report for March 27, 1945
      27 March 1945 TF Griffin continued attack to the E, secured the crossings over Dill R at Sinn and Edingen.
      TF Brown attacked to the NE and secured crossings over Dill R at Katzenfurt. Plans were completed to continue attack to the E to securing crossings over the Lahn R at Bellnhausen, Roth, Neiderweimer.
  • Wetzlar / Giessen, Germany: March 28, 1945 - liberated 1,000-2,000 American POWs
    • Claudio Michael Becker (cbfw190@t-online.de) reports: "There are several photos and a silent movie in the National Archive at College Park Maryland about this." and "Countless numbers of POW and CW camps were also liberated, as the 7th captured the district of Wetzlar and the Dill River district in late March 1945."
      • Dulag Luft at Wetzlar
      • POW train with nearly 2,000 POW's, close to Wetzlar
    • Combat Interview "BRIDGEHEAD BREAKOUT 26-31 March, 1945 7th ARMD DIV" by 2nd Info & Hist Service 1st Lt. R. E. Maxwell Sgt. H. R. George" [Interview with Lt Col Reginald H. Hodgson, G-4, 7th Armd Div and Maj. David Roberts, Asst G-4, 7th Armd Div at Div CP, vic Frankenau Germany, 3 April 1945 by Sgt Harvey R. George, 2d Info and Hist Sv (III Corps), pp. 5-6]
      At 1300 hours, 28 Mar, CCA sent a message that 1000 American PW had been liberated at ATZBACH (G604203), and requested transportation for them. They were American PWs who were being marched from LIMBURG when they were liberated and were in a pitiful state of well-being. It was planned to take them to Stalag Luft PW camp at WETZLER to be cared for by Air Corps officers who had been liberated that morning. Col. (name not filled in), the Division Surgeon went to CCA to assist in taking care of the American PWs and was able to get them under roofs, school-buildings etc. The Division QM was directed, that night, to send rations, D.T. powder and blankets for these men. Col Hodgson stated that the truck carrying the ration got lost and never did reach the men. Maj Roberts then went down at this time and moved the men to a permanent camp at WETZLER.
    • Combat Command "A" After Action Report for March 28, 1945
      Wetzlar was cleared on 28 Mar 45 and CC "A"'s three Task Force columns, Wemple, Rhea, and King pushed East towards Giessen, Germany. Stiffer resistance was offered at Giessen than at any of the other places along the route of CC "A"'s advance but the town was cleared and outposted at 2130 28 Mar 45. Included in the bag for operations on this day were 19 88-mm guns, 7 20-mm guns, and a number of AT weapons of unidentified caliber. It was in the Vic of Giessen that a German PW camp containing approximately 1000 Allied Prisoners of War, the majority American soldiers, was overrun, freeing the captives.

• Congressional Medal of Honor
  • S/Sgt. Robert H. Dietz - Company "A", 38th Armored Infantry Battalion - Posthumously, for his actions March 29, 1945 at Kirchain, Germany
    Click on his name for further information

  • Cpl. Thomas J. Kelly - Medical Detachment, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion - for his action April 5, 1945 at Almert, Germany
    Click on his name for further information

• Distinguished Service Cross

  • 2d Lt. Neil M. Chapin (O-1 182 080) - Battery "B", 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
    Home State: VA
    Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the vicinity of Liesel, Holland, 29 October 1944.
    ETOUSA General Order No. 23, 23 February 1945
    for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, as a member of 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, performing duty as a Reconnaissance Officer and Forward Observer with Company "C", 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion, on 29 October 1944. Second Lieutenant Chapin went forward of advanced positions in order to deliver effective artillery fire against a numerically superior enemy. When the supported unit was withdrawn to a better defensive position, he took as his observation post a bullet-ridden house which was being subjected to direct enemy fire. He stood by his post, effectively delivering artillery fire, until the infantry was ordered to retire. Since the officers of the supported unit had been evacuated, he assumed command and successfully withdrew the company in the face of the ' enemy, adjusting protective artillery fire at the same time. Entered military service from Virginia.

  • 1st Lt. John C. Cornell - Company "C", 38th Armored Infantry Battalion - for his actions September 6, 1944 at Gravelotte, France
    Click on his name for further information

  • 1st Lt. Mario J. Fortuna - Company "C", 38th Armored Infantry Battalion - for his actions August 16, 1944 at Lèves, France
    Click on his name for further information
    photo is from 1966

  • Cpl. (then Pvt.) Victor P. Funk - Company "B", 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (attached to 7th Armored Division)
    Home State: NE
    Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the vicinity of Meijel, Holland, 29 October 1944.
    Ninth USA Army (NUSA) General Order No. 54, dated 1 December 1944
    During an enemy tank attack on 29 October 1944, in Holland, Corporal Funk; serving as a gunner on a tank destroyer, knocked out the two leading tanks and prepared to fire on a third. The building behind which his tank destroyer was concealed received direct hits. Bricks and rubble falling into the open turret injured the leader; all members of the crew evacuated the vehicle except Corporal Funk. Loading the gun, himself, he destroyed another hostile tank, entered the driver's compartment find drove the vehicle to the other side of the building out of direct enemy fire. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Corporal Funk reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from Nebraska.

    from Ewing (NE) Advocate newspaper
    

    Victor Funk Awarded Distinguished Service Cross by Army
    Headquarters Communications Zone European Theater of Operations, United States Army
    Number 26754 (Censored) To the Ewing Advocate: Corporal Victor Funk of Ewing, Nebraska knocked out three Panzer Division Tanks in a battle of steel against steel and was recently awarded one of the nation's highest battle honors, the Distinguished Service Cross. The Nebraskan, who before he joined the Army, plowed straight furrows on his father's farm, performed almost a miracle in an afternoon engagement with German tanks. While enemy artillery battered to earth the concrete and brick building where his tank destroyer was hidden, he drove the massive, growling, groaning destroyer to a place of comparative safety. Bricks and rubble fell into the open urret of his destroyer. The vehicle commander was injured. All members of the crew were evacuated when the Corporal entered the driver's compartment and drove out of direct enemy fire.
    "The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Corporal Funk reflect great credit on himself," the Division citation stated, "and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."
    The Corporal was honored by Battalion Headquarters of the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion, when in the presence of his Company, Brigadier General Robert W. Hasbrouck, Commanding Officer of the 7th Armored Division, commended the hero, and presented the award. Gen. Hasbrouck praised the Corporal unstintingly. He lauded his marksmanship and his mechanical ability, as well as his courage for his activity against "a common enemy." Corporal Funk is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Funk of Ewing, Nebraska.

  • Capt. Jacob A. George, Jr. - Company "C", 17th Tank Battalion
    Home State: ??
    Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Missing in Action) for his actions in the vicinity of Sillegny, France, 19 September 1944.
    Ninth USA Army (NUSA) General Order No. 43, dated 1944
    Text not yet obtained

  • Capt. Edward J. Hackett - Squadron Surgeon, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
    Home State: ??
    Posthumusly awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions northeast of Malmaison, France, 13 September 1944.
    ETOUSA General Order No. 22, dated 1945
    Text not yet obtained
    Account from newspaper article at posthumous award of DSC to his 7-year-old daughter
    The citation that accompanied the award stated that Capt. Hackett sacrificed his life northeast of Malmaison, France, on Sept. 13, 1944, in an effort to reach the side of a wounded man. Capt. Hackett is described as having gone forward in a dense woods 'voluntarily beyond the assault line of our own troops to within 10 or 15 yards of dug in enemy infantry to determine the condition of a man already believed to be dead. Despite the caution of his troop commander not to do so he went forth unhesitatingly to determine the condition of the casualty and remained there alone even after being fired on by the enemy."

  • 2nd Lt. Vincent E. McKenna (O-1 168 815) - Service Battery, 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
    Home State: NY
    Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the vicinity of Dornot, France, 10 September 1944.
    Ninth US Army General Order No. 58, dated 2 November 1944
    for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. On 10 September 1944, near Dornot, France, when advancing allied troops were subjected to heavy losses caused by enemy mortar, artillery, and small-arms fire, Lieutenant McKenna voluntarily moved to a forward observation post to direct fire from his own artillery. Completely disregrading his own personal safety, he exposed himself to the enemy to adjust his fire upon the enemy positions. So close was the contact with the enemy that some of his own shells burst within a few yards of his observation post. So efficient was his adjustment of fire that a grave situation for the advancing infantry elements was alleviated. The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant McKenna reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highsed traditions of military service. Entered military service from New York.

  • 2nd Lt. Robert E. Mendick - Company "C", 48th Armored Infantry Battalion - Posthumously, for action August 23 or 24, 1944 in France just after crossing the Seine River
    Home State: ??
    Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in France, 17 September 1944.
    Ninth USA Army (NUSA) General Order No. 68, dated 14 December 1944
    Text not yet obtained

  • 2nd Lt. Dennis J. Regan (O-1 174 117) - Battery "C", 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Home State: NY
    Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Missing in Action) for his actions in the vicinity of Meijel, Holland, 27-30 October 1944.
    Ninth US Army General Order No. 68, dated 14 December 1944
    for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy. From 27 October 1944 to 30 October 1944, Lieutenant Regan remained with the forward elements of the infantry under constant fire of enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms. By accurately placing close-in barrages, he was able to effectively cover several withdrawals of the unit he was supporting when it was outflanked by vastly superior enemy forces. Lieutenant Regan without regard for his own personal safety, moved forward numerious times to high points of terrain for observation. It was from such a point that he covered the final withdrawal of the infantry. In so doing he was entirely cut off by the enemy and the last words from him were, "They are on me - give all possible fire in this area, I must destroy my radio." The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutant Regan reglect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Entered military service from New York.

  • T/5 George W. Schultz, Jr. - Company "B", 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion
    Home State: ??
    Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at a German bridge over the canal SE of Nederweert, Holland, in the early hours of 31 October 1944.
    Ninth USA Army (NUSA) General Order No. 68, dated 14 December 1944
    Text not yet obtained
    photo is from about 1981

The 7th Armored Division consisted of the following organic and attached units (code names, starting with W for organic elements, appear in parentheses):

Organic Units

• Division Headquarters (Workshop) and Headquarters Company (Wooden)
• Headquarters (Wretch) and Headquarters Company (Worried), Combat Command A (CCA)
• Headquarters (Writer) and Headquarters Company (Wrinkle), Combat Command B (CCB)
• Headquarters (Wrought) and Headquarters Company (code name not yet known), Combat Command R (CCR): Note that CCR did not have a HQ Co until January 1945
• 147th Armored Signal Company (Worthy)
• 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) (Wonder; later Deadshot)
• Tank Battalions
  • 17th Tank Battalion (Wrapper)
  • 31st Tank Battalion (Wyoming; later - after crossing Rhine? - Deviltry)
  • 40th Tank Battalion (Wordy)
• Armored Infantry Battaalions
  • 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion (Wolf)
  • 38th Armored Infantry Battalion (Woody)
  • 48th Armored Infantry Battalion (Worse)
• Artillery
  • Headquarters (Wring) and Headquarters Battery (Wooly), Division Artillery
  • 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Wooten, or Wotten)
  • 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Woven)
  • 489th Armored Artillery Battalion (Wow)
• 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion (Worker)
• Headquarters (Wobble) and Headquarters Company (Woman), Division Trains
• 77th Armored Medical Battalion (Wounded)
• 129th Armored Ordnance Battalion (Wopper)
• Military Police Platoon, 7th Armored Division (World)
• Band, 7th Armored Division (Wrangler)

Long-Term Attached Units

• 203rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled) (code name Highdeed)
• 446th Quartermaster Truck Company (code name not yet known)
• 507th Counter-Intelligence Corps (code name not yet known)
• 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion (code name Herald or Harold)
• 3967th Quartermaster Truck Company (code name not yet known)

Foreign nationals who fought for 7th Armored Division March 2007: New web page

• French, Belgian, Dutch and other nationals who fought for 7AD

Short-Term Attached Units

• 3rd Battalion of the 310th Infantry Regiment of the 78th Infantry Division was attached 5 Feb 1945 to CCR of the 7th AD to assist in the taking of Strauch and Steckenborn.
• 106th Infantry Division: 424th Infantry Regiments and other elements attached in December 1944
• 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion: Provided critical accurate support during defense of St. Vith, Belgium (December 1944)
• 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment: Attached in December 1944

Other Units

• 9th Armored Group: Source of many CCR Replacements in January 1945
  

Return to top of 7th Armored Division page

It is surprising to learn that the definitive list of overseas deaths for the 7th Armored Division has yet to be made. The first attempt at such a list was the June 30, 1947 list compiled by the Adjutant General. The list is mostly accurate, but detailed research on 38th Armored Infantry Battalion deaths revealed 12 men who were not included on the 1947 list, as well as several mis-spellings. And subsequent work with other elements of the Division has also found men who were not on the 1947 list. Some of these were non-battle deaths (the 1947 list was only battle deaths), and some were still officially missing in action in 1947, but some were just plain missed by the Adjutant General's list.

The deaths for each unit of the Division are on separate web pages, accessible from the unit web pages (see above). However, the existing links are duplicated here, so that the units can be placed in order of the number of deaths suffered. The initial entries were from the 1947 Adjutant General's list, except for 38 AIB which includes a great deal of additional research. However, as others -- who were not on the 1947 list -- have been identified, they have been added to the web pages. For this listing, the long-term attached units (see above) are not distinguished from organic units.

These figures WILL change as more information becomes available for all of the units. This list is the most definitive list there is of 7th Armored Division deaths in World War II, but it WILL change as more men are found who were not included on the initial 1947 list.

Click here for the alphabetical list of all 7th Armored Division deaths.
Use the alphabetical list as an index to find what Battalion/Unit a man was in, so that you can then go to the web page for the deaths of that Battalion for further information about him.

Click here for the list of all 7th Armored Division deaths, grouped by last duty location and date.
Use this list to see what is known so far about which men died in which battles.

Tom Lutge, son of A/38 & B/48 veteran Albert Lutge, has created a memorial web site of grave/cemetery photos of many 7AD men. Click here to go to that site.

Currently known total: 1,371 deaths (* see note below)

• LATEST ADDITIONS AND REMOVALS:
  • May 2009: Andrew S. Grzys (23 AIB) - Captured at St. Vith; died as POW; remains never found
  • September 2008: Grady Frazier (48 AIB) - Determined that this was actually Grady Blazier, who was already listed; Added Raymond Deroboam (33 AEB)
  • August 2008: Edward Kasmarski (203 AAA) - Determined that he was killed in training in the States; so he has been removed from the ETO deaths and added to the web page of training deaths
  • July 2008: Joseph Guido (23 AIB) - Determined that he was not killed in the 15 Aug 44 ambush at Marboué, France and survived that only to be injured in action 21 Aug 44; so he has been removed from the 23 AIB list of dead
  • November 2007: Luther Ferrell (48 AIB) - Thanks to nephew Mark McLaurin and C/48 Morning Reports
  • August 2007: Atkins Frenchman (23 AIB) - POW who died after liberation from tuberculosis contracted while POW
  • April 2007: Richard Whalen (48 AIB) - Thanks to 48 AIB Unit History, transcribed by Charles Barry, veteran of B/48; Lawton Gay (31 Tank) - Thanks to 31 Tank Unit History, transcribed by 31 Tank daughter Nayda Colomb
  • March 2007: John Yeakley (31 Tank) - Thanks to 31st Tank Bn Unit History March 1945, transcribed by Nayda Colomb, daughter of C/31 and A/31 veteran Floyd Swonger
  • February 2007: yet-unidentified enlisted man in Division Trains HQ Company shown as KIA 25 Aug 1944 in the 7AD G-1 Journal
  • May 2005: James K. Hall (B/87); Ervin L. Bagwell (48 AIB); George J. Dolezal & Frank T. Sigl (489 AFAB)
  • April 2005: Ernest H. Nevins and Peter J. Predovic (87 Recon) - Thanks to Beverly Kent, daughter of B/87 veteran Eugene O' Connor
  • March 2005: John T. Williams (87 Recon) - Thanks to Beverly Kent, daughter of B/87 veteran Eugene O' Connor
  • May 2004: Joe M. Attebery (48 AIB) - Thanks to Niek Hendrix of Ospel, Netherlands
  • December 2003: Geoffrey Wrigley (87) - Thanks to Beverly Kent, daughter of B/87 veteran Eugene O' Connor; Remove Robert Parker (38) - had been based on burial report now found to be erroneous
  • February 2003: Bladecki (77); 3 from 3967 (Brown, Fullman, Washington); 2 from 203 (Haefele, Schlueter)
  • January 2003: Copen (17 Tank), Crow (23 AIB), 3 from 87 Recon (Guzik, Jarratt, Morrison), Klippel (440 AFAB), Moran (489 AFAB) - Thanks very much to Richard Heus of Gorinchem in the Netherlands for the many updates to those men buried at Margraten, including these 7 new names.
  • December 2002: Pfc. Duncan Forbes, Jr. (434 AFAB)
  • October 2002: Sgt. O'Malley (48 AIB)
  • September 2002: 12 men from 203rd AAA
  • Earlier additions: Kenneth Sherman (33 Engr), David Geikie (33 Engr), Lucious Sumrall (33 Engr), Frederick Roemer (33 Engr), William R. Allison (33 Engr), Robert Hicks (MP), Robert Barth (CCB), Louis Vroble (203 AAA), Lawrence Barnwell (23 AIB)

First Deaths: As best as I can tell, the first overseas death in the Division was the non-combat death in England on June 17, 1944 of Pfc. Alvin W. Thompson (B/38 AIB), and the first combat death in the Division was 2nd Lt. James Earl Newberry, Jr. (48 AIB), who was killed in action at Senonches, France on August 14, 1944.

Counts by Unit: Note: While each unit has a photo page link, not all of these are working links, since I do not have photos for some units. If you have a photo of one of the 7AD dead, please contact me.

• 48th Armored Infantry Battalion: 283 deaths (photos)
• 38th Armored Infantry Battalion: 245 deaths (photos)
• 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion: 245 deaths (photos)
• 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized): 115 deaths (photos)
• 40th Tank Battalion: 95 deaths (photos)
• 31st Tank Battalion: 85 deaths (photos)
• 17th Tank Battalion: 77 deaths (photos)
• 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion: 76 deaths (photos)
• 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion: 52 deaths (photos)
• 203rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled): 21 deaths (photos)
• 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion: 19 deaths (photos)
• 489th Armored Field Artillery Battalion: 16 deaths (photos)
• 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion: 13 deaths (photos)
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Command A (CCA): 5 deaths (photos)
• 77th Armored Medical Battalion: 4 deaths (photos)
• Division Trains: 4 deaths (photos)
• 147th Armored Signal Company: 3 deaths (photos)
• 129th Armored Ordnance Maintenance Battalion: 3 deaths (photos)
• 3967th Quartermaster Truck Company: 3 deaths (photos)
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Command B (CCB): 3 deaths (photos)
• Division Artillery Headquarters: 2 deaths (photos)
• 7th Armored Division Military Police Platoon: 2 deaths (photos)
• 7th Armored Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company: 1 death (photos)

No deaths in:

• Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Command R (CCR)
• Band
• 446th Quartermaster Truck Company

Counts by type of unit: (% based on 1,359 deaths on list as of December 2003)

• Armored Infantry Battalion (3 units): 769 deaths (56.6%)
• Tank Battalion (3 units): 255 deaths (18.8%)
• Reconnaissance Squadron (1 unit): 112 deaths (8.2%)
• Armored Engineer Battalion (1 unit): 75 deaths (5.5%)
• Artillery of All Types (5 units): 70 (5.2%)* [3 AFA Bns, AAA, Div Arty]
• Tank Destroyer Battalion (1 unit): 52 deaths (3.8%)
• Combat Command Headquarters (3 units): 8 deaths (0.5%)
• Division HQ Units (3 units with deaths): 5 (0.4%) [HQ, MP, Trains]
• Armored Medical Battalion (1 unit): 4 deaths (0.3%)
• Signal Company (1 unit): 3 deaths (0.2%)
• Armored Ordnance Battalion (1 unit): 3 deaths (0.2%)
• Quartermaster Company (2 units): 3 death (0.2%)

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7TH ARMORED DIVISION PRE-COMBAT DEATHS:
The 7th Armored Division men who died in training in the States and in England are not counted in the casualty lists. They have gone almost entirely forgotten. In September 2005, Wesley Johnston spent 2 weeks at the National Archives and scanned the complete General Orders of the 7th Armored Division, for all years (1942-1945). Many of the General Orders during the period of training, prior to combat, are announcements of the deaths of 53 men. Other men learned from the sacrifice of these men, and their deaths probably saved the lives of unknown numbers of others.

Click here to see the web page that memorializes these 53 men.

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BOOKS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE 7TH ARMORED DIVISION:

This section has three sub-sections:

1. Division-wide works
2. Works on component units
3. Published Memoirs/Histories/Web Pages by or about 7th Armored Division Men

1. Division-wide works
   • General Coverage
     • Seventh Armored Division. From the Beaches to the Baltic: The Story of the 7th Armored Division. June, 1945.
     • Seventh Armored Division Association. The Lucky Seventh. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company, 1982. (out of print)
     • Seventh Armored Division Association. The Lucky Seventh. Vol. II. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company, 1987. (out of print)
     • 7th Armored Division Auxiliary Web Site: Growing repository of thousands of transcriptions of WWII documents (text-only) of and related to 7th Armored Division that are available for free downloads. This is a treasure trove of information.

   • 7th Armored Division in France (August-September 1944)
     • Hospital Interviews of the 7th Armored Division: France: August-September 1944. (Click here for details and ordering information.)
     • Combat Interviews of the 7th Armored Division: France: August-September 1944. (Click here for details and ordering information.)

   • 7th Armored Division in the Battle of the Bulge (Belgium, December 1944 - January 1945)
     • Combat Interviews of the 7th Armored Division: The St. Vith Salient (December 1944). (Click here for details and ordering information.)
     • Combat Interviews of the 7th Armored Division: The 7th Armored Division Goes Back: St. Vith 20-23 January 1945. (Click here for details and ordering information.)
     • Ellis, William D. and Thomas J. Cunningham, Jr. Clarke of St. Vith: The Sergeants' General. Cleveland: Dillon/Liederbach, 1974.
     • US Army Armor School Research and Evaluation Division. The Defense of St. Vith, Belgium 17-23 December 1944: An historical example of armor in the defense. Fort Knox: Armored School. (Click here for information about this book.)
     • Boyer at St. Vith: Major Donald P. Boyer's "Personal Report: Narrative Account of Action of 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, Battle of St. Vith, 17-22 December 1944" and "Notes - The Battle of St. Vith, 17-22 December 1944" (Click here for information about this book.)
     • Winter, George. Manhay, The Ardennes: Christmas 1944. Winnipeg, Manitoba: J. J. Fedorowicz Publishing, 1990.
       

   • 7th Armored Division Returns to Germany (March-April 1945: first entry into Germany was in November 1944, prior to move to Belgium)
     • Combat Interviews of the 7th Armored Division: Remagen Bridge and Breakout (March 1945). (Click here for details and ordering information.)
     • Combat Interviews of the 7th Armored Division: Encircling and Reducing the Ruhr Pocket (April 1945). (Click here for details and ordering information.)

2. Works on component units
   • 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion
     
   • 31st Tank Battalion
     
   • 33rd Armored Engineer Battalion
     
   • 38th Armored Infantry Battalion
     
   • 48th Armored Infantry Battalion
     
   • 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron
     
   • 434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
     
   • 489th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
     
   • 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion
     
   • Division Artillery, Headquarters and Headquarters Company
     

3. Published Memoirs/Histories/Web Pages By/About 7th Armored Division Men

   • Goodwin, Marden Ronald (with 7AD Combat Commands in training, 1942): "Of War and Women"
     Marden Goodwin was drafted in July 1941 and cadréd from 3rd Armored Division to become one of the original members of the 7th Armored Division 1 March 1942. He was with all of the Combat Commands at one time or another, until he was sent to Ft. Knox for radio school, leaving 7th Armored in August 1942. He went on to OCS and then went into France with the 5th Infantry Division, which fought alongside the 7th Armored Division in France in XX Corps of Third US Army in August and September 1944, when 7th Armored was sent up to Holland. Goodwin stayed with the 5th Infantry Division until the end of the Bulge. At that time, Gen. Kilburn, Commanding General of 11th Armored Division, asked for Goodwin's transfer to 11th Armored, since they had been together in 7th Armored's CCA at Camp Polk. So on verbal orders of Gen. Patton, Goodwin went to 11th Armored -- only to have Gen. Kilburn replaced as CG in a few weeks. All in all, he spent 4 1/2 years in the Army during the war. His story "Of War and Women" is now published and available online. "Of War and Women" is available by mail from the publisher (see below) or online at Amazon.com. If you order from the publisher and indicate you are a member of the 7th Armored Division Association (or 3rd or 11th Armd or 5th Inf) and they confirm your name on the list of members, then the author has very generously extended a 50% discount off the retail price of the book to you. Contact the publisher at Minerva Publishing Company; 1001 Brickell Bay Dr., Suite 2310; Miami, FL 33131; Phone: (305) 358-1560; E-mail: minervap@bellsouth.net

   • McCord, Howard "Mutt" (Mortar/HQ Co/38 AIB): Reminiscences
     Sgt. Howard "Mutt" McCord was in the Heavy (81mm) Mortar Platoon of Headquarters Company of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, until he was captured at Crombach, Belgium in December 1944. This web site, from Camp Croft, SC recounts his experiences before and with the 7th Armored Division, as well as his experiences as a POW.

   • Moranda, Robert (CO of MG/HQ Co/38 AIB): "Bob's Story: Memories of Love and War"
     2nd Lt. Robert Moranda commanded the Heavy Machine Gun Platoon of Headquarters Company of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, until he was captured at St. Vith, Belgium in December 1944. His book about his experiences, "Bob's Story: Memories of Love and War", co-authored with his brother George Moranda, is available at IUniverse.com and Amazon.com.

   • Rutledge, Robert (48 AIB, KIA 29 Oct 1944) A Daughter Lovingly Remembers Her Dad: 5 web pages
     This is a World War II Stories ... Their Stories Told in Their Own Words" web site.

   • Silvester, Lindsay McDonald (Div CG): "Stars Saves Bars!"
     An Opelika, AL newspaper article about how Gen. Silvester rescued downed fighter pilot 1st Lt. Ike Dorsey near Amanvilliers, France on September 11, 1944

   • Triplett, William S. (CO of CCA): "A Colonel in the Armored Divisions"
     Col. William S. Triplet assumed command of Combat Command "A" of 7th Armored Division after the defense of St. Vith. He wrote a frank personal memoir, which was found and edited and published by Robert H. Ferrell (this is just one of several volumes, starting with his World War I service). "A Colonel in the Armored Divisions" is available at University of Missouri Press and Amazon.com.

   • Varney, Maynard (40 Tank, KIA 12 Apr 1945) honored by Saratoga County, NY (May 2002)
     Maynard Varney was killed in action April 12, 1945, while serving as a tank gunner with 40th Tank Battalion, during the reduction of the Ruhr Pocket in Germany. Saratoga County, NY recently honored him and presented a Conspicuous Service Cross to him in a presentation to his son, James Varney. Click here to see the newspaper article and photo. (Thanks to Frederick R. Miller, PH1, USN Retired for sending this information.) You can find a bit more on Maynard Varney on the web page of 40th Tank Battalion Deaths.

   • Wampers, Peter (Belgian Underground and D/17 Tank): "True Heroes, True Friends"
     Peter's web pages on his wartime experiences, created by his sons and carried on by his son since his death June 22, 2000.

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BOOKS THAT MENTION THE 7TH ARMORED DIVISION:
Note that books that mention specific organic or attached units are also under the links to those units.

The official US Army history books can be ordered from the US Government Printing Office's online bookstore: click on this link and scroll down to "United States Army in World War II Series".

• 106th Infantry Division. Combat Interviews of the 106th Infantry Division. (Click here for details and ordering information.).
• Allen, Robert S. Lucky Forward: The History of Patton's Third U.S. Army. New York: Vanguard Press, 1947.
  
• Altes, A. Korthals and N.K.C.A. in't Veld. The Forgotten Battle: Overloon and the Mass Salient 1944-45. New York: Sarpedon Publishers, 1995.
  
• Astor, Gerald. A Blood-Dimmed Tide: The Battle of the Bulge by the Men who Fought It. New York: Donald I. Fine, Inc., 1992 and New York: Dell Publishing, 1994.
  
• Bauserman, John M. The Malmédy Massacre. Shippensburg, PA: White Mane Publishing, 1995.
  
• Blair, Clay. Ridgway's Paratroopers. Garden City, NY: The Dial Press, 1985.
  
• Blumenson, Martin. Breakout and Pursuit. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1989.
  

• Bulois, Pascal. Marboué, 15 Août 1944 ("Marboué, 15 August 1944: History of the tragic ambush of an American column of the 7th Armored Division, 15 August 1944") -- NOTE: This book is in French.
  Pascal Bulois has done a great deal of research to establish the names of American soldiers who were killed in the Chartres-Châteaudun area, so that they could be permanently inscribed on monuments. This book relates the story of the ambush by the Germans of the column of Company "B" of 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion at the town of Marboué on the evening of August 15, 1944, including interveiws with B/23 veterans and with local French citizens. The very deadly ambush destroyed seven half-tracks and a jeep and killed the men whose names are inscribed on the monument, which you can see in the Monuments section of the 7th Armored Division web page. If you were there at the ambush, Pascal Bulois wants to hear from you to include your account in future editions of the book. You can contact him about contributing your information to the book or about obtaining a copy, via e-mail at PASCAL.BULOISMVAL@wanadoo.fr or by postal mail at Pascal Bulois; Boite Postal 44; 28160 BROU, France.

• Cole, Hugh M. The Lorraine Campaign. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1950.
  
• Cole, Hugh M. The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1965.
  
• D'Este, Carlo. Patton: A Genius for War. New York: Harper Collins, 1995.
  
• Delaval, Maurice. Saint-Vith au cours de l'ultime Blitzkrieg de Hitler: Témoignages non conformistes recueillis. Vielsalm, Belg.: Editions J. A. C., 1984.
  
• Dupuy, R. Ernest. St. Vith: Lion in the Way: The 106th Infantry Division in World War II. Nashville: Battery Press, 1986 reprint of original from late 1940's.
  
• Dupuy, Trevor N, David L. Bongard, & Richard C. Anderson, Jr. Hitler's Last Gamble: The Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 - January 1945. Harper Collins, 1994.
  
• Eisenhower, John S. D. The Bitter Woods: The Dramatic Story, Told at All Echelons - from Supreme Command to Squad Leader - of the Crisis that Shook the Western Coalition: Hitler's Surprise Ardennes Offensive. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1969 and Da Capo, 1995.
  
• Gavin, James. On to Berlin: Battles of an Airborne Commander 1943-1946. Viking Press, 1978.
  
• Giles, Janice Holt. The Damned Engineers. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1970.
  
• Goldstein, Donald M., Katherine V. Dillon, & J. Michael Wenger. Nuts!: The Battle of the Bulge, the Story and Photographs. Washington: Brassey's, 1994.
  
• Goolrick, William K. and Tanner, Ogden. The Battle of the Bulge. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1979.
  
• Hamilton, Nigel. Monty. New York: Random House, 1994.
  
• Kemp, Anthony. The Unknown Battle: Metz, 1944. New York: Stein and Day, 1981.
  
• MacDonald, Charles B. The Last Offensive. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1973.
  
• MacDonald, Charles B. Three Battles: Arnaville, Altuzzo and Schmidt. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1952.
• MacDonald, Charles B. A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1984 and Bantam Books, 1985.
  
• MacDonald, Charles B. The Siegfried Line Campaign. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, United States Army, 1990.
  
• Merriam, Robert E. Dark December: The Full Account of the Battle of the Bulge. Chicago: Ziff Davis Publishing, 1947. (republished as The Battle of the Bulge. New York: Ballantine Books, 1957.)
  
• Morelock, J. D. Generals of the Ardennes: American Leadership in the Battle of the Bulge. National Defense University Press, 1994.
  
• Pallud, Jean-Paul. The Battle of the Bulge: Then and Now. London: Battle of Britain Prints International Limited, 1984.
  
• Pallud, Jean-Paul. Ardennes 1944: Peiper and Skorzeny. London: Osprey Publishing, 1987.
  
• Parker, Danny S. Battle of the Bulge: Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944-1945. Philadelphia: Combined Books, 1991.
  
• Patton, George S. Jr. War As I Knew It. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1947.
  
• Pergrin, Col. David E. First Across the Rhine: The Story of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion. New York: Ivy Books, 1989.
  
• Perret, Geoffrey. There's a War to Be Won: The United States Army in World War II. New York: Random House, 1991.
  
• Reynolds, Michael. The Devil's Adjutant: Jochen Peiper, Panzer Leader. New York: Sarpedon, 1995.
  

• Santin, Eric. Derniers Combats ("Final Battles: 1944 Eure-et-Loir: Chartres, Châteaudun, Nogent-le-Rotrou") -- NOTE: This book is in French.
  Eric Santin's book is a treasure trove of photographs, a great many taken by French citizens and not seen in American publications. But the research behind the text is just as valuable. His research is excellent -- which is quite a challenge for his outstanding new history "Derniers Combats: 1944 Eure-et-Loir" about the battles in and around Chartres, Nogent-le-Rotrou and Châteuadun, France. To order the book, send a money order for US $42 to ERIC SANTIN; 9 chemin Lacave; 65220 PUYDARRIEUX, FRANCE. (ericsantin@net-up.com)

• Stanton, Shelby L. Order of Battle U.S. Army. World War II. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1984.
  
• Toland, John. Battle: The Story of the Bulge. New York: Random House, 1959 and Signet (New American Library), 1960.
  
• Toland, John. The Last 100 Days. New York: Random House, 1965.
  
• Whiting, Charles. Decision at St.-Vith: The Story of the U. S. 106th, the Division Hitler Smashed in the Battle of the Bulge. New York: Ballantine Books, 1969.
  
• Whiting, Charles. The End of the War: Europe: April 15 - May 23, 1945. New York: Stein and Day, 1973.
  
• Whiting, Charles. Siegfried: The Nazis' Last Stand. New York: Stein and Day, 1982.
  
• Whiting, Charles. Ardennes The Secret War. New York: Stein and Day, 1985.
  
• Whiting, Charles. The Last Assault: The Battle of the Bulge Reassessed. New York: Sarpedon, 1994.
  

• Winieska, Françoise. August 1944: The Liberation of Rambouillet, France. Rambouillet, France: Société Historique et Archéologique de Rambouillet et de l'Yveline (SHARY), 1999. -- NOTE: This book is in identical sections in both French and English. The French title is "Août 1944: La Libération de Rambouillet, France".
  Françoise Winieska's extraordinarily well-done book has photos, detailed maps, and very detailed accounts. For 7th Armored Division readers, this book is especially relevant to 7th Armored Division's 17th Tank Battalion and 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

• Zaloga, Steven J. Tanks Illustrated No. 2: Battle of the Bulge. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1983.

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MONUMENTS TO THE 7TH ARMORED DIVISION:
This list is probably not complete nor entirely accurate. Please let me know of errors or omissions. I have visited almost all of the monuments in Europe and the ones at Ft. Knox. So if you need more detailed instructions for finding them, please contact me (see bottom of this web page for contact information link). Unless otherwise noted, the photos are my own.

Belgium | France | Netherlands | United States | Temporary | Online

BELGIUM
Baraque de Fraiture (Parker's Crossroads) Dedicated 29 Sep 2007 Click here for photos of the ceremony. In Memory of D Troop 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mcnz) 7th Armored Division D Battery, 203rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion 7th Armored Division F Company 325th Glider Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division who defended this critical crossroads against overwhelming forces during the period 19-23 December, 1944 Their courageous defense against repeated attacks bought vital time for the defense of the Ardennes. Their bravery in fierce battle when heavily outnumbered continues to inspire the allies and their countrymen. Thanks to Peter Schreiber, son of D/87 crossroads defender Justus Schreiber for his years of work to make this monument a reality. (photo thanks to Henri Rogister) Click here for detailed information on these men's efforts there.	Bastogne Monument to all units in the Battle of the Bulge 7th Armored Division in Middle (photo thanks to Ernie Gallet, AG/HQ/48 AIB) Note that while 7AD passed through Bastogne in September 1944 and a few officers stopped there briefly on 17 December 1944, the Division did not see any combat at Bastogne.	Malempré Plaque in church yard wall, at town square Top inscription reads: Aux Combatants de Decembre 1944
Poteau 7th Armored Division on plaque on wall of museum at Poteau Inscription reads: 18-23 Dec. 1944 The longest tank battle of American history took place around Poteau during the Battle of the Bulge 7th Armored Division 1 - 9 SS Panzer Division (photo thanks to Lando Mulleneers of Cadier en Keer, Netherlands)	St. Vith 7th Armored Division plaque at Police Station on west side of Hauptstrasse Inscription reads: NOUS AVONS ARRÊTÉ ET ARRÉTONS During the crucial period of the German Offensive of the Ardennes in 1944, the American 7th Armored Division held the important center of St. Vith, preventing any advance and any exploitation of this main line, thus frustrating the German Offensive by its sacrifice, permitting the launching of the Allied counter offensive. St. Vith, Belgium 17-23 Dec. 1944	Vielsalm 7th Armored Division tank on northeast side of town, along road to St. Vith (erected thanks to Maurice Delaval) Inscription on plaque reads: LE CHAR INVINCIBLE LE COURAGE INVINCIBLE The American 7th Armored Division and attached units headquartered in Vielsalm during the crucial period of the German Offensive of the Ardennes in 1944 held the important center of St. Vith preventing any advance and any exploitation on this main line, thus frustrating the German offensive by its sacrifice, permitting the launching of the Allied counter offensive. St. Vith, Belgium 17-23 Dec. 1944
Vielsalm Bruce Clarke Square at main road junction in south part of town, just south of library Inscription on monument reads: A la 7 (US) Division Blindée du General Robert W. Hasbrouck

FRANCE
Ballancourt-sur-Essonne Inscription reads: ICI LE 22 AOUT 1944 Deux soldats américains sont tombés pour la libération de Ballancourt JOHN DELANEY MICHAEL DURDAN [Both men were in the 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. NOTE however that the official date of death for both Delaney and Durdan is August 23 and not August 22. The date of August 23 is also what is reported in the 440 AFAB After Action Report, which shows them killed by counter-battery fire.] (See also the temporary memorial to John Delaney, below.) (photo thanks to Al Wilderspin, nephew of John Delaney)	Chartres Plaque at Station 6 of the Chemin de Memoire (Road of Memory), near the cathedral at the Esplanade de Resistance, adjacent to the Place du Chatelet (moved there in 2006 from behind the cathedral) Inscription reads: VIVE L'AMERIQUE-VIVE LA FRANCE-VIVE LA LIBERTE Chartres, France 16-18 Aug. 1944 [The plaque in center is a copy of the commendatory letter from XX Corps.]	La Ferté-Gaucher Inscription reads: Libération de La Ferté-Gaucher par les Troupes Américaines le 27 Août 1944 à 19H. 20 Ici a été incendiée par un obus Allemand la 3ème voiture estafette. Cap. Chef THOMAS George / Américain Soldat LA CHANCE Ernest / Américain Soldat Inconnu / Américain Morts au Champ d'Honneur Soldat PRIOL Jean 18 Ans / Français Blessé [T/5 Thomas & Pvt. La Chance were D/87 Recon men. My research has found that the unknown man was probably Pvt. Stanley Zuber, also of D/87 who was killed the same day, apparently at Montry, France (see monument at Montry below), and that Pfc. Lester W. Tibbets, also of D/87, suffered broken ribs in this action but was not sent to the 59th Field Hospital until 2 days later (29 Aug 44).] (photo thanks to Ernie Gallet, AG/HQ/48 AIB)
Marboué 7th Armored Division monument, at the cemetery east of the road at the north end of town - with names of B/23 AIB men killed in ambushed column Inscription reads: 7th Armored Division 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion Co. B Pvt. Justine De Simone, Pfc. Joseph A. Guido, Pfc. Clyde H. Haney, S/Sgt. John J. Hobel, Pvt. Clinton W. Jenkins, Pvt. Louis R. A. Lemay, 2nd Lt. Robert T. Lemmon, Jr., Tec/5 Francis J. McCartney, Pfc. Nathan H. Sanford, Pfc. Jacob Stern, Pvt. Bennie L. Sutton NOTE: It has subsequently been learned that Joseph Guido was not killed at Marboué and in fact survived and was later injured in action on 21 Aug 44.	Melun Avenue de la 7ème Division Blindée Américaine, west from the Seine River, a few blocks south of the south bridge	Montry At Place Stanley Zuber Inscription reads: A LA MEMOIRE DU SOLDAT AMERICAIN Tombé le 27 Août 1944 Stanley ZUBER (photo thanks to Mairie of Montry website)
Rambouillet Eagle Monument, by the Château on road D-906 out west side of town, towards Epernon Inscription reads: A la mémoire des soldats américains tombés pour la libération de notre région en août 1944 Inscription on rightmost plaque: 7th Armored Division 2nd Lt. Charles E. Fairweather 17th Tank Battalion K.I.A. 17th August 1944 Rambouillet	La Villette (Saint-Prest) Plaque with names of C/38 AIB men killed in the Liberation - in traffic circle south of town on road heading toward Chartres Inscription reads: A la mémoire des Soldats Américains tués au combat le 16 août 1944 pour la libération de Saint-Prest 7th Armored Division 38th Armored Infantry Battalion Co. C Pvt. Gayther O. Adams, Pvt. Harry H. Retort, Tec/5 Andrew J. Slavik, Pfc. Edward A. Swanson Killed in action	Verdun Rue de la 7ème Division Blindée U.S.A. Libération de Verdun 31 Août 1944 (photo thanks to Ernie Gallet, AG/HQ/48 AIB)

HOLLAND / NETHERLANDS
Ospel Inscription reads: OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 1944 IN MEMORY of the soldiers of the US 7th Armored Division who gave their lives during the liberation of Ospel A separate web page is necessary to describe it and to list the names. Click here to go to that web page. (photo thanks to Niek Hendrix of Ospel, Netherlands)	Overloon dedicated September 27, 2008 Liberty Park, next to War Museum Inscription reads: OCTOBER 1944 IN MEMORY of the soldiers of the US 7th Armored Division who gave their lives during the liberation of Overloon Click here for a web page about the monument and the dedication. (photo thanks to Kees Stravers)	Overloon Gen. Hasbroucklaan (General Hasbrouck Lane) near the Overloon War Museum (photo thanks to the Henckens family of Overloon and Niek Hendrix of Ospel, Netherlands)
Ransdaal Inscription reads: In memory of Richard Allan Knott also known by his friends as "Tennessee Knott" who was killed in a tragic accident with a firearm here in Ransdaal at the house of the Brull family across the street. Let us never forget that he also lost his life during our liberation. Click here for a web page about the dedication. (photo thanks to Niek Hendrix of Ospel, Netherlands)	.	.

UNITED STATES
California Camp Coxcomb Multi-unit Plaque at the Desert Training Center (7th Armored Division Patch at Upper Right) Click here for full text and for information on finding the monument. (photo thanks to artwilson@earthlink.net)	Georgia Fort Benning 7th Armored Division Monument (photo thanks to Niek Hendrix of Ospel, Netherlands)	Kentucky Fort Knox 7th Armored Division Monument and individual unit monuments, just left of the path as you come south from the parking lot to the Patton Museum
Kentucky Fort Knox -- NO PHOTO YET -- Housing complex named for Medal of Honor winner Robert Dietz (Company "A", 38th Armored Infantry Battalion) This housing complex was torn down, rebuilt, and renamed, since new Fort Knox housing areas are no longer named after heroes.	Kentucky Fort Knox St. Vith MPTR (Multi-purpose Training) Complex The original St. Vith Training Range was remodeled in 1996, making it much larger. (photo thanks to Arlin Kramer, 2008 Range manager of the St. Vith MPTR)	Louisiana Fort Polk 7th Armored Division Monument The Division was activated at Ft. Polk on 1 March 1942 (photo thanks to Ray Duke 77th Med Bn)
Minnesota Appleton Paul Street In 1947, Appleton, MN named their streets after the men of the city who had died in WWII. Paul Street is named for T/4 Norbert W. Paul of 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion, who was killed 23 November 1944. (information thanks to Jan Bardoul of Heerlen, Netherlands, volunteer caretaker for Norbert Paul's grave at the Netherlands US Military at Margraten; street sign photo thanks to Lizabeth Gades of City of Appleton)	Missouri Fort Leonard Wood St. Vith Training Area The 48th Armored Infantry Regiment, parent of 23 AIB, 38 AIB, and 48 AIB, was reactivated as the 48th Infantry Regiment in 1989 and the 1st Battalion is now at Ft. Leonard Wood. (photo thanks to Wesley Crawford, son of Paul Crawford of 1/A/23)	New York Kingston Dietz Memorial Stadium Named for Medal of Honor winner Robert Dietz (Company "A", 38th Armored Infantry Battalion) (photos thanks to Peter Gorman of 2/2/A/38, who was Dietz's first squad leader)
And remember the US National World War II Memorial

TEMPORARY MARKERS
These temporary memorials were set up after the war, at places where the U. S. Army remained. The temporary monuments were usually parade grounds or recreational fields, named for men who had died in the war. These temporary monuments are really hard to nail down now. So if you have any information on any temporary monuments, please contact me (see bottom of this web page for contact information link).
FRANCE Ballancourt Pvt. John F. Delaney Field Pvt. John Delaney of the 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was killed in action at or near Ballancourt, France (see the Ballancourt monument above). This baseball field of the 106th Reinforcment Battalion was dedicated to his memory. Inscription on Sign over Entrance: In loving and grateful memory of Pvt. John F. Delaney U.S. Army 7th Armored Division He gave his life. He gave his soul. Be blest that freedom loving people may rest. To him we dedicate this field. For liberty and freedom he was our shield. (Photo taken August 11, 1945 By Albert Fisher; supplied by Al Wilderspin, nephew of John Delaney)	GERMANY Gadebusch Company "B" 31st Tank Battalion IN MEMORY OF OUR GALLANT BUDDIES WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE FOR THEIR COUNTRY Lt. Robert L. Casey - Lt. Henry T. Hahn S/Sgt. Johnnie A. Meade - S/Sgt. Jack O. Nye Sgt. Daniel G. Wood - Sgt. Harmon T. Jess Tec. 4 George Hawkins - Cpl. Theodore Majka Pfc. Lawton T. Gay - Pfc. Fred H. Bradburn Pfc. Andrew J. Krisak - Pfc. Nickles Steinlander Jr. Pvt. Thurman Meeks - Pvt. Bert La Combe Pvt. Frank Barley (1945 photo owned by Marx Bledsoe, B/31; provided by his daughter Elaine Wischnowsky)	GERMANY Osterburken -- NO PHOTO YET -- 2nd Lt. James E. Newberry, Jr. Parade Ground Lt. Newberry, a member of the 48th Armored Infantry Battalion appears to have been the first combat death in the 7th Armored Division. He was killed when his jeep was hit by a screeming mimi (nebelwerfer) at Senonches, France, probably on August 14, 1944. (Thanks to Sam Sharp, CO/AG/HQ/48, for this information.)

Online Memorials and Monuments The following are online web sites that are memorials to 7th Armored Division or 7th Armored Division men.

• Netherlands
  • Deurne - Oorlogsslachtoffers Deurne - memorial to all WWII dead in and from Deurne, includes 7AD men who died in the fighting near Deurne
    Main page (Dutch)
    7AD page (computer-generated English translation)
    Honors these 7AD men: Pvt. Carl O. Carlson (C/31), Pfc. Roy R. Coleman (B/33), Pvt. Nicolas B. Duran (A/23), Pvt. Orville N. Hodlin (C/23), 1st Lt. Benjamin J. Savignac (C/23), Pvt. Stanley Sosinski (B/23), Pfc. Lester F. Stewart (B/23)
• United States
  • Tom Lutge, son of A/38 & B/48 veteran Albert Lutge, has created a memorial web site of grave/cemetery photos of 7AD men.

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MUSEUMS WITH SIGNIFICANT EXHIBITS ON OR RELEVANCE TO THE 7TH ARMORED DIVISION:

• World War II Era 7th Armored Division
  • Belgium
    • Poteau: Ardennen Poteau '44 Museum: at the crucial Battle of the Bulge crossroads of Poteau
  • France
    • Fleville, France
  • Netherlands
    • Overloon: Liberty Park: (formerly the National War and Resistance Museum (Nationaal Oorlogs- en Verzetsmuseum)) many vehicles, no longer including a 31st Tank Battalion tank (nicknamed "Cookie")
  • U. S. A.
    • Camp Polk, LA
• Korean War Era 7th Armored Division
  • Camp Roberts, CA

Please let me know of any others that meet the criteria of having significant exhibits about 7th Armored Division.

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