RARE! WW2 US Army 4th Armored Division IKE Eisenhower Jacket 38R

B49 The 4th Armored Division was activated during World War II. On 15 April 1941 with 3,800 men (10,000 by the end of May 1941) from various other units, at Pine Camp. Camp Drum, 1951; Fort Drum. Under its first Commanding General, Brigadier General Henry W. The division was organized as a full Armored Division in May and June 1942 under the command of Major General.

It left Pine Camp for Camp Forrest. Maneuvers in the Cumberland Mountains.

Held in September and October. In mid-November, it was transferred to the Camp Ibis. (DTC) in the California-Arizona maneuver area and was the first Armored Division to occupy Camp Ibis near Needles, California. Which was close to the Arizona and Nevada borders.

On 3 June, the 4th AD arrived at Camp Bowie. Texas, an armored training center located in central Texas near Brownwood, for more maneuvers until about December when it departed for Camp Myles Standish. On 29 December, the 4th AD departed Boston to conduct training in England.

In preparation for the invasion of Normandy. WW2 US Army 4th Armored Division IKE Eisenhower Jacket 38R. After training in England from January to July 1944, the 4th Armored Division landed at Utah Beach.

On 11 July, over a month after the initial Normandy landings. And first entered combat on 17 July; on 28 July, battle action as part of the VIII Corps. Exploitation force for Operation Cobra.

The 4th AD secured the Coutances. The 4th AD then swung south to take Nantes.

Turning east, it drove swiftly across France north of the Loire. The 4th AD fought several German panzergrenadier. In the Lorraine area including the SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49. And SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51. At this time, defeating a larger German force. Through superior tactics and training. After maintaining a defensive line, Chambrey. From 27 September to 11 October, the 4th AD rested briefly before returning to combat 9 November with an attack in the vicinity of Viviers.

The 4th AD cleared Bois de Serres. 12 November, advanced through Dieuze. And crossed the Saar River.

21-22 November, to establish and expand bridgehead and took Singling. 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), and French Fourragere.

In the colors of the Croix de Guerre. Two days after the Germans launched their Ardennes Offensive. The 4th AD entered the fight (18 December 1944), racing northwest into Belgium. Covering 150 miles in 19 hours.

The 4th AD, spearheading Patton's Third Army, attacked the Germans at Bastogne. And, on 26 December, was the first unit Company C, 37th Tank Battalion. Led the 4th Armored Division column that relieved Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. To break through at Bastogne and relieve the besieged 101st Airborne Division. Six weeks later the 4th AD jumped off from Luxembourg City.

In an eastward plunge that carried it across the Moselle River. South, and east to Worms. Advancing all night, the 4th AD crossed the Main River. The next day, south of Hanau, and continued to push on.

On 4 April - where the 4th AD liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. The first Nazi camp liberated by U. By 12 April the 4th AD was across the Saale River.

Pursuit of the enemy continued, and by 6 May the division had crossed into Czechoslovakia. And established a bridgehead across the Otava River. With forwarding elements at Písek. The 4th AD was reassigned to the XII Corps. The 4th AD received the following Letter of Commendation. 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. 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 the Distinguished Service Cross. Became operational and the 4th AD became the spearhead of the Third Army. The British military armor theorist and historian, Capt. Once referred to General Wood as the Rommel. Of 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 light Piper Cub. Liaison aircraft flown by his personal pilot, Maj. To keep up with his rapidly moving division, sometimes personally carrying corps orders from headquarters directly to his advancing armored columns. On 3 December 1944, General Wood was relieved as division commander. The division was then led by Major General Hugh Gaffey. Through the Battle of the Bulge until March 23, when Brigadier General William M. Prickett commanded during the occupation period. Commanded the division after the war. Among the most famous members of the 4th AD during World War II was Creighton Abrams. Who commanded the 37th Tank Battalion. Abrams later rose to command all U.

Forces in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. And served as Army Chief of Staff in the 1970s.

Commanded the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion and fought in concert with Abrams' tanks.