82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion |
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| Active | July 15, 1940–November 22, 1946 January 17, 1949–? |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Role | Armored reconnaissance |
| Part of | 2nd Armored Division |
| Motto(s) | "Audacity" |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Decorations |
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| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Charles J. Girard |
The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was a special group of soldiers in the 2nd Armored Division. They started on July 15, 1940, in Fort Benning, Georgia, to help in World War II. These soldiers were like the "eyes and ears" of the division. Their job was to scout ahead and gather information.
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What Vehicles Did They Use?
The 82nd Battalion used several vehicles to help them scout. Their main vehicle was the M-8 Light Armored Car. This car was very fast, reaching speeds of up to 56 mph (90 km/h). It also had a 37 mm gun and could protect soldiers from small gun fire.
They also used the M20 scout car. This was like the M-8 but without the main gun. Instead, it had a mount for a powerful .50-caliber machine gun. Soldiers also carried a bazooka for extra protection. These fast vehicles helped the 82nd scout ahead of slower tanks, like the M4 Sherman, which only went about 25-30 mph.
For quick trips and messages, the battalion used Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycles. Like most units, they also relied on Jeeps. Jeeps were fast and had four-wheel drive, making them great for many tasks.
Battles and Missions
The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion played a big part in many important battles during World War II. They were often the first to arrive in new areas.
Fighting in North Africa
In November 1942, parts of the 82nd Battalion were among the first American troops to land in Tunisia, North Africa. This was part of Operation Torch, a plan to push out enemy forces. Different groups of the 82nd landed at various places like Safi, Fedala, and Mahdia Plage. Their landings helped force the enemy to surrender.
The Sicily Campaign
The 82nd Battalion was very important in the Sicily Campaign, called Operation Husky. On July 11, 1943, they landed in Gela, Sicily. They helped capture the town of Butera. The battalion also took part in the Battle of Mazzarino. After that, they moved on to help free Palermo. Once Palermo was free, they helped manage prisoners of war.
From Omaha Beach to Germany
On June 9, 1944, the 82nd Battalion landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. This was just after the famous Normandy landings of Operation Overlord. From there, they pushed through the Cherbourg peninsula. They helped secure a bridge across the Seine River.
In August 1944, near Mortain, France, the 82nd helped connect the Ninth U.S. Army with the 11th Armored Division. This was a key moment in the Ardennes area.
In September 1944, parts of the 82nd were among the first American troops to enter Belgium. They also crossed the Maas (Meuse) River near Maastricht, Netherlands. They helped free Born, Netherlands on September 19, 1944. The battalion also played a role in the Battle of the Bulge near Houffalize.
For their bravery in the drive from the Rhine River through the Westphalia plains to the Elbe River in April 1945, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion received a special award called the Presidential Unit Citation.
From May 1945 to January 1946, the 82nd Battalion took on new roles. They were among the first U.S. forces to occupy Berlin after the war ended.
Returning Home and Later Service
On January 21, 1946, the battalion sailed from France back to Fort Hood, Texas. They arrived on February 12, 1946, and were officially stopped on November 22, 1946.
However, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion was started up again on January 17, 1949. They trained new soldiers. On July 4, 1951, they sailed from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bremerhaven, Germany. This was their second time serving in Germany, during the time known as the Cold War.
Awards and Special Mentions
The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion earned several important awards for their service:
- Presidential Unit Citation (U.S. Army version) for their bravery in the Westphalia plains in 1945.
- Belgian fourragère, which is a special braided cord worn on the uniform, given by Belgium.
- They were mentioned in the daily orders of the Belgian Army for their actions in Belgium and the Ardennes.
In La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium, there is a memorial dedicated to the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. It honors four soldiers by name: John T. Graham, Everett W. Christensen, Isaac Suhon, and John McMahon.
The 82nd Battalion was part of the 2nd Armored Division. This division received many awards for its bravery. Soldiers in the 2nd Armored Division earned over 9,000 awards, including two Medals of Honor.
Notable Members
- Brigadier General Charles J. Girard started as a platoon leader in the 82nd Battalion early in World War II. He later became a major and the overall commander of the 82nd by the end of the war.
See also
