48th Tank Battalion

History

Campaign Credits: Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe
Battalion Commander: Lt. Col. Edwin H. Ferris WIA 28 NOV 1944 in Barr, France
Battalion Commander: Lt. Col. John C Cavin (appointed)
1st SGT Lawrence Walker
Presidential Unit Citation: Company A, 1st Platoon - Platoon Leader: LT. Edgar D. Woodard
Composition and art work: CPL Nicholas Veltri JR
History written by: T/SGT Dean B. Robinson and T/SGT Vernon G. Brown
"Rittershoffen" Edited by: Major James N. Studer
June 1945
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Presidential Unit Citation

Recipient: 1st Platoon, Company A, 48th Tank Battalion, Lt. Edgar D. Woodard, Platoon Leader, for outstanding performance of duty in action on 9 JAN 1945, near Hatten, France. Assigned to the mission of repulsing an enemy attack, the 1st Platoon, consisting of four operating medium tanks, moved rapidly and decisively to the support of friendly infantry already partially overrun by enemy armor. Displaying great skill and superior marksmanship, the platoon engaged sixteen Mark IV tanks in a deadly firefight, and without loss of men or equipment, destroyed six enemy tanks and forced the remainder to flee. Later in the day the 1st Platoon destroyed four disabled enemy tanks which the Germans were attempting to evacuate. The fearless daring and intrepid actions displayed by members of the 1st Platoon, Company A, 48th Tank Battalion, exemplify the high traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Photos

D Company - PVT Raymond E. Berg Killed January 13, 1945

B Company - SGT Lee Junior Roy

Corporal Knott Rankin Killed November 28, 1944

A Company

D Company - SGT Elton Ross

B Company - James F. Brown

General Smith

SVC Company - PFC Jack K. Austin

Hatten

Rittershoffen facing Hatten

HQ Company - Corporal Nicholas Veltri Jr.

T/4 Roland O'Neil

C Company - C-7 Sherman Tank

D Company - PVT Raymond E. Berg Killed January 13, 1945

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner

A Company

A Company - Lloyd Wagner

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner and unknown

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner and unknowns

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner at their tank Arlene

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner and unknown at their tank Arlene

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner and unknown

A Company - T/5 Lloyd Wagner and unknowns

B Company - Norman 'Johnny' Esau

D Company

D Company - SGT Forest Gable
KIA 28 NOV 1944
Awarded Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously)

C Company

C Company - Johnnie Breakfield

C Company

Documents

48th Tank Battalion Crest

Lt. Col. Edwin H. Ferris
1912-2012

Lt. Col. Ferris
Letter Page 1

Lt. Col. Ferris
Letter Page 2

After Action Reports

Presidential Unit Citation

Armor School report on Hatten

APO 446

HQ Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

HQ Company Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

Serv Company Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

A Company Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

B Company Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

C Company Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

D Company Morning Report
5 - 10 JAN 1945

68th AIB History, JAN - FEB 1945
includes some 48th TB information

A Company Citation

A Company Memoir

Rankin Obit
Silver Star Citation

Unit Commendation

Document from the archive of: 1st Lieutenant Perrie Waters, B Company, 68th AIB

Contributed by: Donald Waters, the son of LT Waters

14th AD

18 APR 45 - 68th AIB and 48th TB in Polling, Germany