17th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division

17th Tank Battalion
(code name Wrapper)
7th Armored Division Bookmark this page as http://www.7thArmdDiv.org/17tank.htm
Last updated: August 4, 2008 - What's New? 7th Armd Div Patch

This page contains:

Units of the Battalion

July 2008: add some officers in HQ Company

Battalion-Level Officers of the Battalion

Books and Research Materials Specifically about the 17th Tank Battalion

Books That Mention the 17th Tank Battalion

And the following are links to other pages about 17th Tank Bn:

17th Tank Battalion Overseas Deaths in World War II

Or you can see an active overview of all pages at the 7th Armored Division web site.

UNITS OF THE 17^th TANK BATTALION:
The 17th Tank Battalion consisted of the following units

Battalion Headquarters (Bn HQ/17)
Headquarters Company (HQ Co/17)
- Commanding Officers (Please check out the references to the 17th Tank Bn After Action Reports, since I am not sure that I have read the sequence of command correctly.)
  - 1st Lt., later Capt., Lawrence E. Ahearn (??? - 15 July 1944 - 17 September 1944, evacuated with battle fatigue)
    Sources:
    - 15 July 1944 - Promoted from 1st Lt. to Capt. - HQ Company Morning Report 20 July 1944
    - 17 September 1944
      - Lost, slightly sick, to unknown hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 27 October 1944
      - "Hq Co C. O., Capt AHEARN was evacuated due to battle fatigue and one officer and three enlisted men were evacuated from Co "A"." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of September 1944
  - 1st Lt. Chester A. Bucek (17 September 1944 [Assault Gun Platoon Leader] - 19 September 1944, wounded)
    Sources:
    - 19 September 1944
      - Seriously wounded in action and lost to 104th Evacuation Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 19 September 1944
      - "On the 19th ... Lt BUCEK, the assault gun platoon leader and acting commander of Hq Co at the same time was wounded and evacuated; he was with his platoon on the front line when wounded." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of September 1944
  - Capt. Lawrence E. Ahearn (22 September 1944 - 27 November 1944 - ???)
    Sources:
    - 22 September 1944 - returned to duty through 53rd Replacement Battalion (Duty 2900, date of rank 15 Jul 44) - HQ Company Morning Report 27 October 1944
    - 27 November 1944 - "The one battery of 105 MM assault guns were under command of Captain Ahearn." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944
- Assault Gun Platoon
  - Assault Gun Platoon Leader
    - 2nd Lt., later 1st Lt., Chester A. Bucek (??? - 15 July 1944 - 19 September 1944, wounded [was A/17 CO at the time])
      Sources:
      - 15 July 1944 - Promoted from 2d Lt. to 1st Lt. - HQ Company Morning Report 20 July 1944
      - 19 September 1944
        
        Seriously wounded in action and lost to 104th Evacuation Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 19 September 1944
        "On the 19th ... Lt BUCEK, the assault gun platoon leader and acting commander of Hq Co at the same time was wounded and evacuated; he was with his platoon on the front line when wounded." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of September 1944
    - ???
    - 1st Lt. Chester A. Bucek (14-28 October 1944, wounded)
      Sources:
      - 14 October 1944 - Returned to duty via 86th Replacement Battalion (MOS 1207, date of rank 15 Jul 44) - HQ Company Morning Report 15 October 1944
      - 28 October 1944 - wounded in Holland
        
        Wounded [during German counter-attack near Meiejl-Liesel, Holland] and sent to Division Clearing Station (Duty 1207); then lost to duty and sent to 53rd Field Hospital on same day - HQ Company Morning Reports 28-29 October 1944
        30 October 1944 account - "... Lt. Bucek the assault gun platoon leader had been wounded by Artillery fire on the previous day [i..e. 29 Oct 44; this indirectly-stated date is much less credible than the Morning Report date of 28 Oct 44] and evacuated. ..." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of October 1944
    - 1st Lt. Henry P. Johnson (11 November 1944 - 9 February 1945 - ???)
      Sources:
      - 11 November 1944 - Assigned 10 November 1944 from 18th Replacement Depot and Joined 11 November 1944 (Duty 1207) - HQ Company Morning Report 11 November 1944
      - 1-2 December 1944 - CO of AG Platoon - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of December 1944
      - 8-9 February 1945 - CO of AG Platoon - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of February 1945
- Information and Reconnaisance (I & R) Platoon
  - I & R Platoon Leader
    - 2d Lt. George W. S. Fogg (??? - 30 October 1944 - 11 November 1944, transferred to D/17)
      Sources:
      - 30 October 1944 - "At 1015 Lt. FOGG the I and R. platoon leader who was Outposting the Assault guns with his platoon reported that his position was being fired on by enemy tanks, Artillery, and small arms and that he must move out. One of the assault guns was knocked out by the enemy tank fire. Lt. FOGG was the only Officer at this point for Lt. Bucek the assault gun platoon leader had been wounded by Artillery fire on the previous day and evacuated. Lt. FOGG was instructed to take his group and join Capt. PILAT's forces who were around the vicinity of 687119. Lt. FOGG did this immediately and by 1045 he was closed into Capt. PILAT'S force." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of October 1944
      - 11 November 1944 - transferred from HQ Co/17 to D/17 - HQ Company Morning Report 11 November 1944
    - 2d Lt. Lee J. Colman (10 November 1944 - 18 December 1944, wounded)
      Sources:
      - 10 November 1944 - Joined (Duty 1207, date of rank 2 Sep 44) from 18th Replacement Depot (assigned 9 November 1944) - then Primary duty 1207 changed (7 Dec 1944) to 1204 as of 10 November 1944 - HQ Company Morning Reports 10 & 18 November, 7 December 1944
      - 18 December 1944 - Wounded
        
        Penetrating wound to left shoulder by shell fragment (at Recht, Belgium VP 8194 "Co in tactical bivouac in present location. Situation critical enemy attacking. VP 8194.") and sent to Division Clearing Station - HQ Company Morning Reports 18-19 December 1944
        Wounded by machine gun fire near Poteau, Belgium - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
      - 19 December 1944 - Lost to 107th Evacuation Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 19 December 1944
    - (name not yet known) (??? - 23 December 1944, wounded at Braunlauf, Belgium)
      Sources:
      - 23 December 1944 - wounded at Braunlauf, Belgium - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
- Mortar Platoon
  - Mortar Platoon Leader
    - 2nd Lt., later 1st Lt., John S. Lavett (??? - 17 October 1944 - 23 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources:
      - 2 July 1944 - From duty to temporary duty at Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England (does not specify his role as Mortar Platoon leader) - HQ Company Morning Report 2 July 1944
      - 8 July 1944 - From temporary duty at Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England to duty (does not specify his role as Mortar Platoon leader) - HQ Company Morning Report 8 July 1944
      - 17 October 1944 - Promoted from 2d Lt. to 1st Lt. - HQ Company Morning Report 20 October 1944
      - 21 & 23 October 1944 - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of October 1944
      - 1-2 December 1944 - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of December 1944
      - 23 December 1944 - Wounded in nose by artillery shell fragment but remained on duty - HQ Company Morning Report 27 December 1944
- Other Officers of Headquarters Company (roles not yet known)
  - 2nd Lt. Lawrence B. Carter (28 September 1944 - 16 October, transferred to A/17)
    Sources:
    - 28 September 1944 - Assigned and joined from Headquarters Third US Army (Duty 1207) - HQ Company Morning Report 28 September 1944
    - 16 October 1944 - transferred to Company "A" (Duty 1207) - HQ Company Morning Report 16 December 1944
  - 2nd Lt. Robert E. Greiss (??? - 30 July 1944 - 8 August 1944; 2 Sep 1944 - ???)
    Sources:
    - 30 July 1944 - Sick and sent to 3rd Station Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 30 July 1944
    - 6 August 1944 - Returned to duty from 3rd Station Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 6 August 1944
    - 8 August 1944 - Sick and sent to 22d U.S. General Hospital (MOS 0600) - HQ Company Morning Report 8 August 1944
    - 2 September 1944 - Returned to duty via 38th Repl Bn (MOS 0600) - HQ Company Morning Report 5 September 1944
Company "A" (A/17): Medium Tanks
- Commanding Officers of A/17 were:
  - ???
  - Capt. Pier (??? - 23 August 1944 - 11, 16 September 1944 - 4 October 1944, wounded near Overloon, Holland)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-October 1944
  - Lt. Oswald (??? - 18, 28 October 1944, evacuated with heart trouble near ?Asten-Meijel road?, Holland)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
  - Lt. Carpenter (28 October 1944 [Platoon Leader] - 29 October 1944, relieved)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
  - Lt. Nizenski (29 October 1944 [Platoon Leader] - 29 October 1944, relieved)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
  - 2nd Lt. Lawrence B. Carter (29 October 1944 - 23 November 1944, killed in action at Beeck, Germany)
    Sources:
    - 29 October 1944 - assumed command of "A" Company - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944 (see his prior information below)
    - 23 November 1944 - Killed in action at Beeck, Germany - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944
  - Lt. Nizenski (?23 November 1944? [Platoon Leader] - 1 December 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November-December 1944
  - Lt. Wilson (??? - 19-22 January 1944, wounded by shrapnel in left arm but refused to be evacuated - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of January 1945
  - ???
- Other Officers of A/17 were:
  - 2nd Lt. Lawrence B. Carter (16-29 October, assumed command of A/17)
    Sources:
    - 16 October 1944 - transferred from HQ Company - HQ Company Morning Report 16 December 1944
    - 29 October 1944 - assumed command of "A" Company - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944 (see his role as CO of A/17 above)
  - Lt. Carpenter Platoon Leader (??? - 22 August 1944 - 29 October 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August, October 1944
  - Lt. Cunningham (??? - 27-29 October 1944, wounded in action, near ?Asten-Meijel road?, Holland)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
  - Lt. Rufus C. Hansard (??? - 22 January 1944 - ??)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of January 1945
  - Lt. Nizenski Platoon Leader (??? - 29 October 1944 - 23 November 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
  - Lt. Williams Platoon Leader (??? - 23 November 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November 1944
  - Lt. Wilson Platoon Leader (??? - 23 November 1944 - may have assumed A/17 command by 19 January???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November 1944
Company "B" (B/17): Medium Tanks
- Commanding Officers of B/17 were:
  - ???
  - Capt. Pilat (??? - 23 August 1944 - 12-14 September 1944 - 4, 18, 27-30 October 1944 - 23, 27 November 1944 - 1 December 1944, injured in action near Linnich, Germany - hand caught in turret)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-December 1944
  - Lt. Oberdan (1 December 1944 [a platoon leader] - 2 December, wounded by artillery fire near Linnich, Germany)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
  - Lt. Hardin (2 December 1944 [a platoon leader, "the only remaining officer in the company"] - 24 January 1945 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944-January 1945
  - ???
- Other Officers of B/17 were:
  - Lt. Hardin Platoon Leader (??? - 30 October 1944 - 2 December 1944, assumed Bn command)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
  - Lt. Hoffman Platoon Leader (??? - 19 December 1944 ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
  - Lt. Hummel 2nd Platoon Leader (??? - 30 October 1944 - 23 November 1944 - 1 December 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
  - Lt. Oberdan Platoon Leader (??? - 23-24 November 1944 - 1 December, assumed Bn command)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
Company "C" (C/17): Medium Tanks
- Commanding Officers of C/17 were:
  - Capt. Jacob A. George, Jr. (??? - 22-23 August 1944 - 7, 11, 19 September 1944, killed in action at Sillegny, France by small arms fire while throwing a hand-grenade from the turret of his tank)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-September 1944
  - Lt. Mahoney (19 September 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September 1944
  - (name not yet known - possibly Lt. Mahoney) (??? - 4 October 1944, wounded near Overloon, Holland)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
  - Lt. (promoted to Captain sometime between 30 October and 24 November 1944) Robert F. Urbom (??? - 27-30 October 1944 - 24, 27 November 1944 - 1, 22, 24 December 1944, wounded by sniper at Braunlauf, Belgium)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
  - ???
  - Lt. Cagle (??? - 24 January 1945 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of January 1945
  - ???
- Other Officers of C/17 were:
  - 2nd Lt. Henry B. Felton, Jr. (??? - 30 October 1944 - 19 December 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October, December 1944
  - Lt. Olson 1st Platoon Leader (??? - 17 October 1944 - 24 December 1944, wounded by sniper at Braunlauf, Belgium)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
  - Lt. Shilkrout (??? - 23 August 1944, wounded but not critically - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944
  - Lt. Frank B. Zinn (??? - 7 September 1944, evacuated with wound to hand)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September 1944
Company "D" (D/17): Light Tanks
- Commanding Officers of D/17 were:
  - ???
  - Capt. Neil (??? - 23 August 1944 - 11 September 1944 - 11-15, 27 October 1944, wounded by artillery while dismounted and making recon near Hoogebrug, Holland)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-October 1944
  - Lt. Scharschmidt (27 October 1944 - 1 December 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October, December 1944
  - ???
- Other Officers of D/17 were:
  - 1st Lt. James W. Bartholomew (??? - 27, 30 October 1944 - by 6 November 1944, transferred to HQ Company to lead I & R Platoon)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
  - 2nd Lt. Canfield (25 August 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944
  - 2nd Lt. Charles E. Fairweather Platoon Leader (??? - 18 August 1944, killed in action at Rambouillet, France)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944
  - Lt. Vernon Files 2nd Platoon Leader (??? - 15, 27 October 1944, wounded at 683147, somewhere near Meijel, Holland)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
  - 2d Lt. George W. S. Fogg (11 November 1944 [from A/17] - ???)
    Sources:
    - 11 November 1944 - transferred from HQ Co/17 to D/17 - HQ Company Morning Report 11 November 1944
  - Sgt. Hammond 3rd Platoon Leader (??? - 17 October 1944 - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
Service Company (SV/17)
Medical Detachment (Med/17)
- Other Officers of Med/17 were:
  - Lt. Wheeler (??? - 23 August 1944, slight hand wound - ???)
    Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944

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BATTALION-LEVEL OFFICERS OF THE 17^th TANK BATTALION:

Commanding officers (CO's) of the Battalion were:

Lt. Col. John P. Wemple (States - 11 September 1944, temporarily assumed command of CCR)

Maj. Thomas W. Dailey (11 September 1944 - 11 September 1944) -- temporarily assumed command until return of Col. Wemple, who had assumed command of CCR)

Lt. Col. John P. Wemple (11 September - Duration?)

Executive officers of the Battalion were:

Maj. Thomas W. Dailey (States - Duration?)

S-1 officers (personnel, Adjutant) of the Battalion were:

1st Lt. Robert E. Miller (??? - 2 October 1944 - ???)
Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September 1944

S-2 officers (intelligence) of the Battalion were:

Capt. Jack Howison [also Unit Historian] (??? - 28 October 1944 - ???)
Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944

S-3 officers (operations) of the Battalion were:

???
Maj. White (22 September 1944 - 27 October 1944 - ???)
Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September-October 1944

S-4 officers (supply) of the Battalion were:

Communications Officers of the Battalion were:

Unit Historians of the Battalion were:

Capt. Jack Howison [also S-2] (??? - 22 August 1944 - 31 October 1944 - ???)
Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944

Battalion Maintenance Section commanders (Battalion Ordnance Officer) were:

Capt. Simon (??? - 24 November 1944 - 29 December 1944 - 22 January 1945 - ???)
Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November 1944-January 1945

There were also a Battalion surgeon and assistant surgeon and dentist. The surgeon commanded the Medical Detachment, and all of these officers were members of the Medical Detachment.

17th Tank Battalion Officers of unknown assignments

M/Sgt, later 2nd Lt., Gordon O. Johnson (??? - 11 August 1944 - 8 May 1945 - ???)
Sources:
- 26 May 1945: Awarded Bronze Star Medal: "SECOND LIEUTENANT (then Master Sergeant and Second Lieutenant) GORDON O. JOHNSON (Army Serial Number 02008545), Armored, 17th Tank Battalion, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 8 May 1945. Entered the military service from Wisconsin."

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BOOKS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE 17^th TANK BATTALION:

Combat Interviews of the 17th Tank Battalion: August 1944: Click here to find out about these interviews.
Combat Interviews of the 17th Tank Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944: Click here to find out about these interviews.

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BOOKS THAT MENTION THE 17^th TANK BATTALION:
This is a growing list. Please forgive me for any omissions and let me know, so I can add them.

Entire War
- Official Records of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion: After Action Reports, Journals and more (Click here for more information, ordering instructions, and samples for December 19, 1944.)
Battle of the Bulge: December 1944 - January 1945
- US Army Armored 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 on 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.)
- Combat Interviews of the 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.): Just a few references to 17th Tank Battalion.
- Combat Interviews of the 31st Tank Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.)
- Combat Interviews of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-21, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.)
- Combat Interviews of the 48th Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-21, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.): Just a few references to 17th Tank Battalion.

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