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779th Armored Battalion 1944/45

Discussion in 'What Granddad did in the War' started by Cjmiller74, Feb 7, 2012.

  1. Cjmiller74

    Cjmiller74 Member

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    My grandfather, Herman E. Miller, was a sergeant in the 779th Armored Battalion. I have been able to locate very little regarding this particular battalion and would appreciate any help that I can get. Here is what I know: He enlisted in June of 1944 at Ft. McPherson. I believe he was trained at Ft. Knox as I have his proficiency "report card" from there. It indicates that he was best suited for a Tank Commander position. I am unsure as to which theatre he was involved in. I recall when I was young he talked about horrific snow while he was in the service but I found US issued Phillipino pesos that he had saved. Is it possible that he could have been in both? I am new to this site but was very glad to find it. Thanks in advance for the help.
     
    Cjmiller74, Feb 7, 2012
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  2. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    The correct title of the outfit was 779th Tank Battalion.

    The 779th Tank Battalion served in the Philippines.

    It apparently never saw combat, as it did not arrive there until 8 Sep 1945, after departing San Francisco 21 July 1945.

    Info from Stanton's OOB, WWII

    Finding anything much on the 779th will be most difficult, unless the men had reunions, which I doubt.
     
    Slipdigit, Feb 7, 2012
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  3. Cjmiller74

    Cjmiller74 Member

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    Thanks for the correction and the info. I neglected to mention that his Individual Training Record from Ft. Knox indicates that he was assigned to A Company 2nd Battalion 1st Regiment. Also, I have two multicolor bars that I could use some help in
    decoding. View attachment 15750 (This picture posted badly, I will try and improve next time.) Thanks again for the help.

    **Should have searched the site further before asking about the bars. Am I correct that this is an American Campaign ribbon and a WWII Victory ribbon?
     

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    Cjmiller74, Feb 8, 2012
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  4. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I'll have to go back and look, but I think there was a notation in entry that mentions the origin of the 779th Tank Battalion.

    I suspect, though, that the assigned unit in your post was a training unit and upon completion of his training your grandfather was transferred to a combat unit. I will have to verify, though.
     
    Slipdigit, Feb 8, 2012
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  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    The 2 ribbons are the WW2 Victory ribbon (top) and the American Campaign ribbon. The criteria for each can be found here, Ribbons - Order of Precedence
     
    LRusso216, Feb 8, 2012
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  6. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    The 779th Tank Battalion was formed when the 43rd Armored Regiment was broken up 11 Nov 1943, following the Tennessee Maneuvers.

    Lineage for the 43rd Tank Regiment
    15 Sep 42 - Activated Camp Campbell, KY and assigned to the 12 Armored Divsion.
    6 Sep 42 - Redesignated as 43th Tank Battalion (less 1st & 3rd Batt., Band, Maint., Service and Recon Coys) 1st and 3rd Batt & Recon Coy redesignated 779th & 714th Tank Battalions and Troop E, 92nd Cav Recon Sqdn, respectively. Other units were disbanded.

    So, originally the 779th Tank Battalion was the 1st Battalion/43rd Tank Regiment/12th Armored Division.
     
    Slipdigit, Feb 8, 2012
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  7. Cjmiller74

    Cjmiller74 Member

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    I very much appreciate everyone's help. I am going to look into requesting his full service record to fill in some of the gaps. I came across someone who indicates that he was the Unit Commander for the 779th and have asked him if he had could any information he could share with me (no response yet). Also, and I know this is obscure, on my grandfather's tags there is a half dollar sized round piece of what feels like aluminum with two off center Roman numeral "I"s that almost look hand stamped. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I will post a pic later. Thanks again.
     
    Cjmiller74, Feb 9, 2012
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