193rd Tank Battalion

Hello i am trying to find out information about the 193rd such as types of vehicles used unit patchs and vehicle id (bumper Markings) thanks


SMcKnight

 

My father, Bill H. Wood, was a Staff Sgt. in Co. "C" of the 193rd. Saw action on Makin with the 193rd. Then in June 1944, the 4th Tank Group was formed, comprised of the 193rd and 3 new tank battalions; 762nd, 763rd and the 766th. Personnel from the 193rd were transferred to these new battalions to form a cadre. The 762nd Tank Battalion (2 companies, one of which was Co. "C" of the 193rd) accompanied the 27th Division at Saipan. After the battle of Saipan, Co. "C" returned to Honolulu, Hawaii. Other companies of the 193rd went on to Okinawa. The following are 2 photographs of the 193rd Tank Battalion, probably taken in Hawaii. The photos are split in half as the size is too large to scan as one photo. Two pics are shown. One with the overseas cap on, the other with it off. Maybe you can see your father or family member here.
View attachment 16403

 

My Dad was in the 193rd. He never spoke about his experience. Where was the division active.

 

The 193rd was not a Division, but an independent tank battalion. A book that you may want to buy or borrow from you local library is Harry Yeide's "The Infantry's Armor", which discusses the independent tank battalions in WWII. Another good book would be "Rolling Thunder against the Rising Sun: The Combat History of U.S. Army Tank Battalions in the Pacific in WWII" by Gene Eric Salecker.

The 193rd Tank Battalion served in the Pacific Theater, and was attached to the 27th Infantry Division. They fought on Saipan, Makin Island and Okinawa.

There is an interesting discussion on another forum about the 193rd on Okinawa.