The 69th Armor is an armored (tank) regiment of the United States Army. The Battalion shipped from Okinawa to Vietnam and, and true to the policy at the time, was fragmented, with the Battalion HQ, trains, A and C companies going to Cu Chi supporting the main elements of the 25 Division, while B Company joined the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Division in Pleiku. The motto translates to Speed and Power.. Following great successes in Chalis Qada and Ar Ramadi, the Battalion redeployed to Fort Benning, Georgia in January 2006. 69th Infantry Division US Army Divisions 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment | Military Wiki | Fandom 3-69 AR was the first conventional US unit to enter Iraq in 2003, and among the first units to serve four tours in Iraq. The 69th Armor Regiment is part of the U.S. Army Regimental System with only two battalions, the 2nd and 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, existing in separate brigades and representing the regiment as a whole. If you have a tribute, please email it to Webmaster Michael McKibben at mmckibben@leader.com and it will be posted shortly. If you have an item that you would like to add to the museum than you can contact us through the form on this website. Lt Col Bedford Hayne Forrest. 69TH ARMORED DIVISION. Joe's certainly was a life well lived. A Company had previously decimated this same unit in the streets of Pleiku during TET. Obviously surprised by the presence of the U.S. tanks, the enemy fled the field after the B Company M48s destroyed several of the assaulting PT 76b tanks and BTR50 fighting vehicles. Contrasting with the old Battalion M48A2 vehicles, the new A3 models still featured the 90mm cannon, a M2HB cupola mounted .50 caliber machinegun and a 7.62mm, M72 coaxial machinegun. List of battleships of the United States Navy, List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces, The Institute of Heraldry - 69th Armor Regiment, Articles incorporating text from public domain works of the United States Government, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Armored regiments of the United States Army, Military units and formations established in 1940, 2 Combined Arms Battalions, no Regimental HQ, LTC Ricardo Sanchez, during Operation Desert Storm 90-91, LTC Jeffery R. Sanderson, May 2002 - June, 2004, LTC Robert R. Roggeman, June 2004 - June 2006, LTC Robert Ashe, July 2008 - January 2011, LTC Jessie L. Robinson, 27 July 2008 - October 2009, LTC Jeff Denius, October 2009 - October 2011, LTC Orestees "Bo" T. Davenport, October 2011 October 2013, LTC Harry "Zan" Hornbuckle, October 2013 Present. These routes were notorious for ambush actions dating back to the French Indochina War of the 1950s. [2], LTCs Leo M. Brandt, Donald J. Pagel and MAJ George Latturner each commanded the battalion for short periods from April to December 1969. The 69th Tank Battalion, as part of the 6th Armored Division, was included in various European campaigns including Normandy, the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. [5] This time the battalion served as the 1st Brigade Combat Team's and 42nd Infantry Division's main effort in Samarra, Iraq. It was redesignated for the 69th Amphibian Tractor Battalion on 8 January 1946. The 69th Armor is an armored (tank) regiment of the United States Army. [2], LTC James L. Marini took command in December, 1969 and continued operations until the Battalion stood down with the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and returned to the U.S. in mid-1970. Lineage and Honors Information as of 16 May 2012, Robert J. DalessandroDirector, Center of Military History, Constituted 15 July 1940 in the Regular Army as Company B, 69th Armored Regiment, an element of the 1st Armored Division, Activated 31 July 1940 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Inactivated 10 January 1942 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Activated 15 February 1942 at Fort Knox, Kentucky (69th Armored Regiment concurrently relieved from assignment to the 1st Armored Division and assigned to the 6th Armored Division), Reorganized and redesignated 20 September 1943 as Company B, 69th Tank Battalion, Reorganized and redesignated 10 July 1945 as Company B, 69th Amphibian Tractor Battalion (69th Tank Battalion concurrently relieved from assignment to the 6th Armored Division), Inactivated 8 March 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Redesignated 21 August 1950 as Company B, 69th Medium Tank Battalion, an element of the 6th Armored Division, Activated 5 September 1950 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Inactivated 16 March 1956 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, (69th Medium Tank Battalion relieved 1 February 1957 from assignment to the 6th Armored DIvision), Redesignated 1 July 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 69th Armor (organic elements concurrently constituted), Battalion assigned 8 July 1957 to the 10th Infantry Division and activated in Germany, Relieved 14 June 1958 from assignment to the 10th Infantry Division and assigned to the 2d Infantry Division, Inactivated 1 March 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia, and relieved from assignment to the 2d Infantry Division, Redesignated 21 March 1973 as the 2d Battalion, 69th Armor, assigned to the 197th Infantry Brigade, and activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, Relieved 16 October 1991 from assignment to the 197th Infantry Brigade and assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, Relieved 16 February 1996 from assignment to the 24th Infantry Division and assigned to the 3d Infantry Division, Relieved 16 March 2004 from assignment to the 3d Infantry Division and assigned to the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 2d Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, *Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2003, Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Streamer embroidered SAIPAN AND TINIAN, Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Streamer embroidered OKINAWA, Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Streamer embroidered WONJU-HWACHON, *Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered BAGHDAD, *Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2009-2010, Navy Unit Commendation, Streamer embroidered PANMUNJOM, *Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 1994, Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered YUSUFIYAH, IRAQ. Redisignated as the 69th Medium Tank Battalion in August, 1950 and reactivated in Korea. Military Catalog, Sales, Discounts & more. The Battalion was instrumental in keeping these vital roads open for re-supply of units heavily engaged with the North Vietnames during the heavy battles around Dak To and Kontum in November, 1967. The unit was deactivated in 1946. The Division went over to the attack, 27 February, capturing the high ridge east of Prether to facilitate use of the Hellenthal-Hollerath highway. MILITARY UNITS - 69th Armored Division VetFriends Veteran ID Card Quick Links. "[citation needed] Additionally, the unit was tasked with forming ties with local Sunni Sheiks, including the martyred Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Risha. Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom 3-69 AR was featured several times on CNN, ABC News, and the PBS . Throughout the 1990s, the battalion deployed in support of numerous war-time missions including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Iraq. Free Shipping On All Orders Above $100 Go shop . The Battalion displaced its forward headquarters in March, from Hwy 14S to Camp Radcliff in An Khe, under the operational control of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was again involved in fighting along the coastal plain near Bong Son. Following the outbreak of hostilities on the Korean peninsula, the 708th Tank Battalion was subsequently restructured and re-designated the 89th Medium Tank Battalion. It was formed with a cadre from the 2nd Armored Division . Contrasting with the old Battalion M48A2 vehicles, the new A3 models still featured the 90mm cannon, a M2HB cupola mounted .50 caliber machinegun and a 7.62mm, M72 coaxial machinegun. New Apr 2020 "814th Tank Destroyer Battalion: December 1944: (Attached to 7th Armored Division) Combat Interviews, After Action Report, Morning Reports" by Wesley Johnston.Maj. Meanwhile, B and C Companies were placed OPCON to the Republic of Korea's 'Tiger' Division, headquartered at Camp Thunderbolt near Qui Nhon to support Operation Maeng Ho 11. (69th Tank Battalion relieved 1 February 1957 from assignment to the 6th Armored Division) Redesignated 15 February 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Medium Tank Battalion, 69th Armor, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, and activated in Hawaii (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated) Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed VITESSE ET PUISSANCE in Black letters. In November 1951, it was again reflagged the 89th Tank Battalion and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. [2], LTC (MG Retired) Stan R. Sheridan assumed command of 1/69 Armor in September 1968 as the battalion forward HQ again moved, this time west to the area of Landing Zone Oasis, HQ of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division along QL 19W, conducting numerous reconnaissance-in-force operations north and east of c C and along the Cambodian border. 69th Armor Regiment | Detailed Pedia LTC (MG Retired) Stan R. Sheridan assumed command of 1/69 Armor in September, 1968 as the Battalion forward HQ again moved, this time west to the area of the Oasis, HQ of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division along QL 19W, conducting numerous reconnaissance-in-force operations north and east of Duc Co and along the Cambodian border. The unit, along with many others, was deactivated in 1946 following the end of the Second World War. All Rights Reserved. General Reinhardt met Soviet 58th Guards General Rusakov on April 25, 1945. 69th Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Armored Division We now have the room block reserved and you can make your reservations, more event details will follow, just follow this link: Click here for 2012 Norfolk Reunion Photos! The gauntlet and lightning flashes symbolize armor and striking power. The unit, along with many others, was deactivated in 1946 following the end of the Second World War. 3rd Battalion - 69th Armor Regiment - GlobalSecurity.org 69th ARMORED REGIMENT - United States Army Center of Military History In March 2007, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor was deployed as part of the Baghdad "surge." It was concurrently reassigned to the 25th Infantry Division, and activated to Hawaii (its organic elements concurrently constituted and activated). LTCs Leo M. Brandt, Donald J. Pagel and MAJ George Latturner each commanded the Battalion for short periods, from April to December, 1969. We would be glad to add photos of your item to this section. Earlier, in September, the Battalion, along with the other elements of the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division became part of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in a swap of brigades in place. [2], 1/69 Armor played a critical role in the defense of Pleiku, Kontum, Dak To and Hwy 19 during the Jan/Feb. The former Company C, 69th Tank Battalion, was reconstituted on 21 August 1950 in the Regular Army as Company C, 69th Medium Tank Battalion, an element of the 6th Armored Division. Company A was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division until October, 1967. In January 2005, the Speed and Power Battalion deployed again under the command of LTC Mark Wald[2] in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor served with the 42nd ID, a National Guard Division based in NY. It activated on 31 July 1940 at Fort Knox, KY, and inactivated there on 10 January 1942. 269 AR is currently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia as part of the 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team ("Spartans"), 3rd Infantry Division and 369 AR is stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia as part of the 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team ("Raider"), 3rd Infantry Division. We were stationed in Germany in 1975 through 1978. 69th Infantry Division - Order of Battle of the United States Army 69th Infantry Battalion, 16th Armored Division | American Battle LTC William Grant assumed command of 1/69 Armor as the Battalion was given the mission of securing the primary routes of communicationon QL 19, between Qui Nhon on the coast and Duc Co on the Cambodian border; and on QL 14 between Dak To in the north to Ban Me Thout in the south. ". The Battalion then redeployed to Fort Benning, Georgia in October 2010. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt watched, a blindfolded Secretary of War Henry C. Stimpson selected the first number in the draft lottery, drawing from a huge container filled with numbers assigned to registered young Americans aged 21 to 36. Eilenburg fell, 23 April, and the east bank of the Mulde River was secured. Medal of Honor Recipients of the 69th Armor Regiment. Unit troops discovered Leipzig-Thekla concentration camp, a subcamp of Buchenwald. 1st Platoon, B Company earned a special Presidential Unit Citation in August, 1966 for their actions at LZ 27 Victor, a small Korean enclave in the triple canopy jungles of the Ia Drang-Chu Pong mountain area, where nine months earlier, the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) fought savage battles with infiltrating North Vietnamese units. Online Archives of 69th Bulletins & Newsletters Needs Your Help. [2], A Company was charged with the security of Hwy 19E between An Khe and Mang Jiang Pass, and on 10 April, routed a regimental size ambush attempt on a convoy which effectively destroyed the NVA 95B battalion as a fighting force. The 69th Armor Regiment was constituted on 15 July, 1940, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in the Regular Army and initially assigned to the 1st Armor Division. 69th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division | American Battle Monuments This web site strives to tell the wartime story of our great Divisionfrom its formation to its meeting Soviet soldiers at The Elbe River on April 25, 1945 as seasoned veteransa critical event that hastened the end of the war in Europe two weeks later on May 9, 1945 (Victory in Europe or V-E Day). It distinguished itself on Okinawa where it was awarded the Navy Presidential Unit Citation. 1968 TET offensive. The 89th Medium Tank Battalion returned to Hawaii with the 25th Infantry Division where it remained until deactivation in 1957. Stories of The Fighting 69th Infantry Division in World War II, 69th involvement in The Battle of the Bulge, Read the latest memories from 69th family, friends and buddies, Search military records medical benefits awards & decorations, Search for date of KIA (killed in action) and burial location overseas, Social Security site recommended to help vets apply for disability benefits, Donate to the development and enhancement of this website, 69th Annual Reunion, 2017, Virginia Beach, VA, Sep. 22-25, 2016. We will be posting a tribute and the family's eulogy. B/2-69 AR and E/2-69 AR were awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation. U.S. [2], A Company was charged with the security of Highway 19 between An Khe and Mang Yang Pass, and on 10 April, routed a regimental size ambush attempt on a convoy by the 95B Regiment killing 45 VC and capturing seven crew-served weapons; U.S. losses were one killed. The 777th Tank Battalion - 69th Infantry Division 6th Armored Division. We will miss him. B Company elements engaged units of the 18th and 22nd NVA Regiments, as well as the 2nd VC Main Force Regiment in heavy combat between 10 and 25 April in the area of Ky Son, killing over 100 enemy. The Battalion redeployed in May 2008 to Fort Benning, Georgia and awarded the Valorous Unit Award. Veteran C. Young, After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. Thanks for making it possible, Thanks so much VetFriends.com for your help and genuine concern for locating this long lost buddy of mine, Please Enter a Valid email address with no spaces, VetFriends Members: Able-co/2-69 AR, Delta/2-69 AR, HHC/2-69 AR, and E/203 SB (FSC/2-69 AR) along with B/1-30 IN operated out of CAMP CORREGIDOR and COMBAT OUTPOST on the eastern side of Ar Ramadi. Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. Do you have 69TH ARMORED DIVISION Reunion information you'd like to share, "When I Joined VetFriends, I read about the email locator service, and sent an email to my old friend. In January 2005, the Battalion again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It participated in the Battle for Jalibah Airfield. 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor served with the 42nd ID, a National Guard Division based in NY. 69th Infantry Division US Army Divisions Infantry 1-65 1st Infantry 2nd Infantry 3rd Infantry 4th Infantry 5th Infantry 6th Infantry 7th Infantry 8th Infantry 9th Infantry 10th Mountain 23rd Infantry 24th Infantry 25th Infantry 26th Infantry 27th Infantry 28th Infantry 29th Infantry 30th Infantry 31st Infantry 32nd Infantry 33rd Infantry The 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment (369 AR) is a United States Army combined arms battalion and part of the 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. 3d Battalion, 69th Armor similarly operated with the 24th Division during war.[2]. After a successful tour, Task Force 369 AR redeployed to Fort Stewart in January 2006. The 69th Tank Battalion, as part of the 6th Armored Division, was included in various European campaigns including Normandy, the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. E/203 SB was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. 31 December 1944 Meanwhile, B and C Companies were placed OPCON to the Republic of Korea's 'Tiger' Division, headquartered near Qui Nhon at Camp Townes to support Operation Maeng Ho 11. This original assignment did not last for long. This chart is available for purchase at HistoryShots.com. Occupation duties were given to the Division until it left for home and inactivation 7 September. Colonel Bedford H. Forrest was killed in action in France November 26, according, to word received by his mother Mrs. Mattie S Forrest of Saluda. Anne & Sherry Lipsius' address: 6314 Deerings Hollow, Norcross, GA 30092-1800, annejoelip@bellsouth.net. 69th Armor tankers learned on-the-job the importance of rear and flank security, the effect of canister in dense jungle, the exaggerated needs for constant maintenance halts and the value and down-sides of assorted OVM and equipment. B Company was given the mission of reaction force and route security between Dak To and the besieged Special Forces border camp of Ben Het. It inactivated on 8 March 1946 at Camp Kilmer, NJ. [2], Similarly, B Company's actions along the Plei Me/Duc Co corridor, paralleling the Cambodian border set the tone for future savage fighting Battalion elements would encounter in this critical Central Highlands area of enemy infiltration. I called the number ans wow he was blown away when he found out who I was. Obviously surprised by the presence of the U.S. tanks, the enemy fled the field after the B Company M48s destroyed several of the assaulting PT 76b tanks and BTR50 fighting vehicles. $10.95 + $3.95 shipping. Joe was 97 years old.