The 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion
The 808 was not the first TD Bn. In fact, the war was nearly 1/2 over when the soldiers who were to become the 808 began basic training. US involvement was still fairly new.
The army had gotten most of the wrinkles out of training tank destroyers. The 808 then got the training they needed to become one of the most feared battalions in Europe.
No military unit can survive without leadership. The 808 was blessed in that they were part of the third army under the leadership of Gen Patton. Their other leaders are honored here. This is not a complete list and this webmaster hopes to be able to get more information about all of the men who led the 808 to victory in Europe.
Leadership of the 808 TD Battalion
Robert C. McDonald, Jr. graduated
from West Point and after graduation was stationed at Ft. Stotsenburg,
Philippines Islands where he was assigned to he 24th Field Artillery. He
was then assigned to the 1st Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Ok. He was
transferred to the 1st Division, 7th Field Artillery at Fort Benning,
Ga. and then permanently stationed at Ft. Ethan Allen, Vt.
In 1942, he was ordered to Camp Robinson, Ar. with the 808th Tank
Destroyer Battalion**, where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in
command of the 808th during WWII. The unit moved to Camp Bowie and Camp
Hood, Tx. for basic and unit training, then to Camp Phillips, Ks and
Camp McCoy, Wi before going overseas in 1944, August. The unit served
with three divisions, the 80th, the 76th and 65th, and the 2nd
Cavalry * during the Battle of the Buldge.
After the war he served tours in the Philippines, at the Pentagon and in
Europe. His final tour was with the Air Defense School at Ft. Bliss. He
retired from the Army in 1963.
*The information above was provided by an 808er and
family. Research, and a "heads up" from a visitor to our site prompts me
to add a correction. It was not the 2nd Cavalry but was the 2nd
Infantry.
** I have no record of the 808 having been trained at Camp Robinson. I can only guess that this was on paper only and that as the men were recruited or drafted, there names came over Col McDonalds desk at Camp Robinson. Another possibility would be that as they were recruited or drafted, they gathered at Camp Robinson and then were moved as a group to Tx for training. If you know for sure, please let me know.
This
photo, taken at Camp McCoy, Wi. just before shipping off to Europe,
includes 3 training officers who were transferred out of the 808th as
they left Camp McCoy. The remaining officers led the 808th under
McDonald.
Left to Right:
Unknown training officer, George Metzger, Unknown training officer,
Charles Seitz, Vance Carrington, Anthony Gallagher, Unknown training
officer and Earl Knotts.
If anyone remembers the names of the unknown officers I would surely like to put their names on this page! Email me with the info
The content and pictures found on this site are the property of the 808 TD Btn and their webmaster. You may not use any content or images without the express permission of the webmaster for any project that would or could end in any type of publication, either hard copy or internet.