Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces

Preface

Preface The idea for a history of American armored forces began in 1976 at the U.S. Army Armor Conference held at Fort Knox, Kentucky. We briefly discussed the possibility; however, the timing then was inappropriate. Years later in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, at the 1995 meeting of the Society for Military History we again raised the issue of an armor history, especially considering the remarkable success of U.S. military forces in Operation Desert Storm, the hundred-hour Persian Gulf War. Nowhere could we find a suitable one-volume American armor history covering the twentieth century experience from the first lumbering tanks used by the American Expeditionary Forces Tank Corps in World War I to the very impressive performance of Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, and Marine Corps M60Als that defeated the Iraqis in 1991. We decided then to assemble a talented group of military historians who specialized in armor history. To this group we added armor officers, both Army and Marines, who had made history with their considerable post-World War II contributions to the development of doctrine, equipment , organization, and training that eventually led to the exceptional battle achievements in the Gulf War. This team was tasked to address various historical aspects in the long, turbulent story of U.S. armored force development. The combined effect of the team's contributions make this book the first to record in a single volume the significant events of American armor history. Our goal was to make this book unique. Each chapter was written to appeal to specialists as well as to the more casual military history reader. To undertake such an ambitious project it was necessary to seek start-up funds. Almost immediately the 6th Armored Division Association generously provided a grant. It was their desire to perpetuate armor's history for future generations. These World War II 6th Armored Division veterans deserve special recognition for their commitment to the project, especially Edward Reed, the secretary-treasurer, and Forrest Herbert, a past president of the association. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time and its members' advancing age, the 6th Armored Division Association will cease to exist after its farewell banquet in Louisville on 16 September 2000. It is with deep regret that we watch X Preface this proud veterans' organization retire its colors. Nevertheless, through our efforts these veterans, and all armor veterans, both Army and Marines, will not be forgotten. They left a legacy of duty to country. In his farewell to the 6th Armored Division, Maj. Gen. Robert W. Grow said: "You have made history, history that will be recorded and read as long as men cherish gallantry and glory in the record of success in combat. For your story is the story of men who never failed. If and when we meet, you and I, or you and you, let there be a bond of close personal friendship that was cemented by the trials of battle." Those words apply just as well to all Army and Marine armor veterans. We are equally appreciative to Mr. Gordon England from General Dynamics Corporate Headquarters, and Lt. Gen. Donald Pihl USA (Ret.) and Mr. Peter Keating from General Dynamics Land Systems for their financial support and for making available numerous action photos of the Abrams tanks and the Marine Corps's Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle. Additional financial support came from the University of Cincinnati's College of Evening and Continuing Education, which provided the means to copy thousands of pages required in crafting the manuscripts. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the University of Cincinnati Army ROTC Detachment, especially to Lt. Col. Wade Johnson and Capt. Adam R. Grijalba for providing U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command documents pertinent to our history. We are deeply indebted to Lt. Col. Terry A. Blakely and the staff at ARMOR magazine for their support. Special thanks go to Managing Editor Jon T. Clemens, who graciously reviewed a number of the manuscripts and provided numerous pictures. His suggestions were very constructive. We also thank Editorial Assistant Vivian Oertle and Connie Bright, secretary of the United States Armor Association, for their assistance . We are grateful as well to the staff at the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor for providing pictures from their collections, especially Director John M. Purdy and Librarians Katie Baldwin and Candace L. Fuller. In addition, we sincerely thank Judy Stephenson of the Armor School Library for providing excellent reference services. A special acknowledgment goes to Charles Lemons...