• 17th Tank Battalion Overseas Deaths in World War II
• 17th Tank Battalion Photographs
• Task Force Wemple attack 3-4 Oct 1944, Netherlands
• Audio Memoir of Maj. Thomas Dailey, Executive Officer: Battle of the Bulge & Ruhr Pocket
• C/17 29 Mar 1945-2 KIAs near Wermertshausen, Germany

• Battalion Headquarters (Bn HQ/17)
  

• Headquarters Company (HQ Co/17)
  • Commanding Officers (Please check out the references to the 17th Tank Bn After Action Reports, since I am not sure that I have read the sequence of command correctly.)
    • 1st Lt., later Capt., Lawrence E. Ahearn (??? - 15 July 1944 - 17 September 1944, evacuated with battle fatigue)
      Sources:
      • 15 July 1944 - Promoted from 1st Lt. to Capt. - HQ Company Morning Report 20 July 1944
      • 17 September 1944
        • Lost, slightly sick, to unknown hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 27 October 1944
        • "Hq Co C. O., Capt AHEARN was evacuated due to battle fatigue and one officer and three enlisted men were evacuated from Co "A"." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of September 1944
    • 1st Lt. Chester A. Bucek (17 September 1944 [Assault Gun Platoon Leader] - 19 September 1944, wounded)
      Sources:
      • 19 September 1944
        • Seriously wounded in action and lost to 104th Evacuation Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 19 September 1944
        • "On the 19th ... Lt BUCEK, the assault gun platoon leader and acting commander of Hq Co at the same time was wounded and evacuated; he was with his platoon on the front line when wounded." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of September 1944
    • Capt. Lawrence E. Ahearn (22 September 1944 - 27 November 1944 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 22 September 1944 - returned to duty through 53rd Replacement Battalion (Duty 2900, date of rank 15 Jul 44) - HQ Company Morning Report 27 October 1944
      • 27 November 1944 - "The one battery of 105 MM assault guns were under command of Captain Ahearn." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944
  • Assault Gun Platoon
    • Assault Gun Platoon Leader
      • 2nd Lt., later 1st Lt., Chester A. Bucek (??? - 15 July 1944 - 19 September 1944, wounded [was A/17 CO at the time])
        Sources:
        • 15 July 1944 - Promoted from 2d Lt. to 1st Lt. - HQ Company Morning Report 20 July 1944
        • 19 September 1944
          • Seriously wounded in action and lost to 104th Evacuation Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 19 September 1944
          • "On the 19th ... Lt BUCEK, the assault gun platoon leader and acting commander of Hq Co at the same time was wounded and evacuated; he was with his platoon on the front line when wounded." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of September 1944
      • ???
      • 1st Lt. Chester A. Bucek (14-28 October 1944, wounded)
        Sources:
        • 14 October 1944 - Returned to duty via 86th Replacement Battalion (MOS 1207, date of rank 15 Jul 44) - HQ Company Morning Report 15 October 1944
        • 28 October 1944 - wounded in Holland
          • Wounded [during German counter-attack near Meiejl-Liesel, Holland] and sent to Division Clearing Station (Duty 1207); then lost to duty and sent to 53rd Field Hospital on same day - HQ Company Morning Reports 28-29 October 1944
          • 30 October 1944 account - "... Lt. Bucek the assault gun platoon leader had been wounded by Artillery fire on the previous day [i..e. 29 Oct 44; this indirectly-stated date is much less credible than the Morning Report date of 28 Oct 44] and evacuated. ..." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of October 1944
      • 1st Lt. Henry P. Johnson (11 November 1944 - 9 February 1945 - ???)
        Sources:
        • 11 November 1944 - Assigned 10 November 1944 from 18th Replacement Depot and Joined 11 November 1944 (Duty 1207) - HQ Company Morning Report 11 November 1944
        • 1-2 December 1944 - CO of AG Platoon - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of December 1944
        • 8-9 February 1945 - CO of AG Platoon - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of February 1945
  • Information and Reconnaisance (I & R) Platoon
    • I & R Platoon Leader
      • 2d Lt. George W. S. Fogg (??? - 30 October 1944 - 11 November 1944, transferred to D/17)
        Sources:
        • 30 October 1944 - "At 1015 Lt. FOGG the I and R. platoon leader who was Outposting the Assault guns with his platoon reported that his position was being fired on by enemy tanks, Artillery, and small arms and that he must move out. One of the assault guns was knocked out by the enemy tank fire. Lt. FOGG was the only Officer at this point for Lt. Bucek the assault gun platoon leader had been wounded by Artillery fire on the previous day and evacuated. Lt. FOGG was instructed to take his group and join Capt. PILAT's forces who were around the vicinity of 687119. Lt. FOGG did this immediately and by 1045 he was closed into Capt. PILAT'S force." - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of October 1944
        • 11 November 1944 - transferred from HQ Co/17 to D/17 - HQ Company Morning Report 11 November 1944
      • 2d Lt. Lee J. Colman (10 November 1944 - 18 December 1944, wounded)
        Sources:
        • 10 November 1944 - Joined (Duty 1207, date of rank 2 Sep 44) from 18th Replacement Depot (assigned 9 November 1944) - then Primary duty 1207 changed (7 Dec 1944) to 1204 as of 10 November 1944 - HQ Company Morning Reports 10 & 18 November, 7 December 1944
        • 18 December 1944 - Wounded
          • Penetrating wound to left shoulder by shell fragment (at Recht, Belgium VP 8194 "Co in tactical bivouac in present location. Situation critical enemy attacking. VP 8194.") and sent to Division Clearing Station - HQ Company Morning Reports 18-19 December 1944
          • Wounded by machine gun fire near Poteau, Belgium - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
        • 19 December 1944 - Lost to 107th Evacuation Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 19 December 1944
      • 1st Lt. John S. Lavett (??? - 23 December 1944, wounded at Braunlauf, Belgium, but remained on duty - ???)
        Sources:
        • 23 December 1944 - wounded at Braunlauf, Belgium - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
        • 23 December 1944 - Wounded in nose by artillery shell fragment but remained on duty - HQ Company Morning Report 27 December 1944 - He may actually have been I&R Platoon Leader since 18 December. See that Platoon for more on this question. If that is so, then it is unclear who assumed command of the Mortar Platoon.
  • Mortar Platoon
    • Mortar Platoon Leader
      • 2nd Lt., later 1st Lt., John S. Lavett (??? - 17 October 1944 - 23 December 1944 - ???)
        Sources:
        • 2 July 1944 - From duty to temporary duty at Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England (does not specify his role as Mortar Platoon leader) - HQ Company Morning Report 2 July 1944
        • 8 July 1944 - From temporary duty at Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England to duty (does not specify his role as Mortar Platoon leader) - HQ Company Morning Report 8 July 1944
        • 17 October 1944 - Promoted from 2d Lt. to 1st Lt. - HQ Company Morning Report 20 October 1944
        • 21 & 23 October 1944 - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of October 1944
        • 1-2 December 1944 - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of December 1944
        • 23 December 1944 - Wounded in nose by artillery shell fragment but remained on duty - HQ Company Morning Report 27 December 1944 - He may actually have been I&R Platoon Leader since 18 December. See that Platoon for more on this question. If that is so, then it is unclear who assumed command of the Mortar Platoon.
  • Other Officers of Headquarters Company (roles not yet known)
    • 2nd Lt. Lawrence B. Carter (28 September 1944 - 16 October, transferred to A/17)
      Sources:
      • 28 September 1944 - Assigned and joined from Headquarters Third US Army (Duty 1207) - HQ Company Morning Report 28 September 1944
      • 16 October 1944 - transferred to Company "A" (Duty 1207) - HQ Company Morning Report 16 December 1944
    • 2nd Lt. Robert E. Greiss (??? - 30 July 1944 - 8 August 1944; 2 Sep 1944 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 30 July 1944 - Sick and sent to 3rd Station Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 30 July 1944
      • 6 August 1944 - Returned to duty from 3rd Station Hospital - HQ Company Morning Report 6 August 1944
      • 8 August 1944 - Sick and sent to 22d U.S. General Hospital (MOS 0600) - HQ Company Morning Report 8 August 1944
      • 2 September 1944 - Returned to duty via 38th Repl Bn (MOS 0600) - HQ Company Morning Report 5 September 1944

• Company "A" (A/17): Medium Tanks
  • Commanding Officer
    • ???
    • Capt. Pier (??? - 23 August 1944 - 11, 16 September 1944 - 4 October 1944, wounded near Overloon, Holland)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-October 1944
    • Lt. Oswald (??? - 18, 28 October 1944, evacuated with heart trouble near ?Asten-Meijel road?, Holland)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
    • Lt. Carpenter (28 October 1944 [Platoon Leader] - 29 October 1944, relieved)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
    • Lt. Nizenski (29 October 1944 [Platoon Leader] - 29 October 1944, relieved)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
    • 2nd Lt. Lawrence B. Carter (29 October 1944 - 23 November 1944, killed in action at Beeck, Germany)
      Sources:
      • 29 October 1944 - assumed command of "A" Company - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944 (see his prior information below)
      • 23 November 1944 - Killed in action at Beeck, Germany - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944
    • Lt. Nizenski (?23 November 1944? [Platoon Leader] - 1 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November-December 1944
    • Lt. Wilson (??? - 19-22 January 1944, wounded by shrapnel in left arm but refused to be evacuated - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of January 1945
    • ???
  • Other Officers of A/17
    • 2nd Lt. Lawrence B. Carter (16-29 October, assumed command of A/17)
      Sources:
      • 16 October 1944 - transferred from HQ Company - HQ Company Morning Report 16 December 1944
      • 29 October 1944 - assumed command of "A" Company - 17th Tank Battalion After Action Report of November 1944 (see his role as CO of A/17 above)
    • Lt. Carpenter Platoon Leader (??? - 22 August 1944 - 29 October 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August, October 1944
    • Lt. Cunningham (??? - 27-29 October 1944, wounded in action, near ?Asten-Meijel road?, Holland)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
    • Lt. Rufus C. Hansard (??? - 22 January 1944 - ??)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of January 1945
    • Lt. Nizenski Platoon Leader (??? - 29 October 1944 - 23 November 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
    • 2nd Lt. Delmar G. Thornton (?? - 5 April 1945 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 19 September 1944 (as Sgt.) - Bronze Star Medal Citation (7AD General Order #67, dated 26 October 1944)
        "Staff Sergeant (then Sergeant) Delmar G. Thornton (Army Serial Number 36036602), Infantry, Comapny "A", 17th Tank Battalion, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 19 September 1944, in the area of Sillegny, France. Moving forward in advance of the platoon, S Sgt. Thornton and two of his fellow soldiers daringly fought their way past enemy positions into the heavily fortified town of Sillegny. When supporting infantry troops came under intense artillery and machine gun fire, these three men singlehandedly attacked and destroyed mined road blocks and paved the way for the assault. Fearful of bringing fire on their comrades, they permitted enemy tanks to envelop their vanguard positions and be engaged by surprise fire from armored equipment in the rear. Deep in hostile territory they reported the presence of an enemy column, enabling our air forces to attack and destroy it. After supporting troops had poured through the breach made by S Sgt. Thornton and his two fellow soldiers, they rendered conspicuous service in directing the evacuation of the wounded. The action of S Sgt. Thornton in venturing so far forward to break the way for his platoon was an outstanding example of courage and daring, and contributed materially to the achievement of a diffiult objective."
      • 4 October 1944 (as S/Sgt.) - Oak-Leaf Cluster to Bronze Star Medal (7AD General Order #105, dated 30 November 1944)
        "Staff Sergeant Delmar G. Thornton (Army Serial Number 36036602), Infantry, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 4 October 1944, in the area of St. Antonis, Holland. Serving as tank platoon leader in a vigorously contested action southeast of St. Antonis, S Sgt. Thornton came under heavy anti-tank fire. So intense was the barrage that a number of his tanks were disabled and it became necessary for him to withdraw. While stopping his tank to rescue a number of men whose vehicles had been destroyed, S Sgt. Thornton encountered accurate enemy shelling which knocked out his own tank. Quickly reconnoitering the terrain, S Sgt. Thornton plotted an escape route, organized his men, and safely led them back to our lines. His courageous leadership and quick thinking saved a number of skilled tank soldiers from imminent capture."
      • Between 4 October 1944 and 5 April 1945 - battlefield commission as 2nd Lieutenant
      • 5 April 1945 - Silver Star (7AD General Order #103, dated 23 June 1945)
        "SECOND LIEUTENANT DELMAR G. THORNTON (Army Serial Number O2005589), Infantry, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by gallantry in action on 5 April 1945, in Germany. On the night of 5 April 1945, LIEUTENANT'S platoon was the lead platoon of a company attack on the town of Wilmeringhausen, Germany. When within 500 yards of the town, LIEUTENANT THORNTON discovered the terrain to be far different from that shown on the map and the planned route of attack impossible due to terrain difficulties. The darkness rendered mounted reconnaissance useless and made it imperative that an alternate route be sought on foot. Knowing that one man stood a better chance of escaping detection by the enemy, LIEUTENANT THORNTON instructed his platoon to wait and, alone, set out to seek a route into the town. LIEUTENANT THORNTON evaded detection by great skill and daring and after extensive movement behind the enemy lines, found an approach suitable for tanks on the opposite edge of town. Returning to the tank column, he led them over the route he had covered in an attack that routed the enemy defenders and speedily won the objective with a minimum of casualties. By his heroic and gallant action LIEUTENANT THORNTON enabled the company to seize, consolidate and defend the objective from a strong counter-attack that soon followed. Lieutenant Thornton's performance was in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service."
    • Lt. Williams Platoon Leader (??? - 23 November 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November 1944
    • Lt. Wilson Platoon Leader (??? - 23 November 1944 - may have assumed A/17 command by 19 January???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November 1944

• Company "B" (B/17): Medium Tanks
  • Commanding Officers of B/17 were:
    • ???
    • Capt. Pilat (??? - 23 August 1944 - 12-14 September 1944 - 4, 18, 27-30 October 1944 - 23, 27 November 1944 - 1 December 1944, injured in action near Linnich, Germany - hand caught in turret)
      Sources:
      • 1 December 1944 - "During the early part of the night Capt Pilat got his hand caught in the turret batch of his tank and was painfully injured and evacuated. Lt Oberdan assumed command of the company and proceeded with the task of getting the tanks into the town." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for December 1944)
    • Lt. Oberdan (1 December 1944 [a platoon leader] - 2 December, wounded by artillery fire near Linnich, Germany)
      Sources:
      • 1 December 1944 - "During the early part of the night Capt Pilat got his hand caught in the turret batch of his tank and was painfully injured and evacuated. Lt Oberdan assumed command of the company and proceeded with the task of getting the tanks into the town." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for December 1944)
      • 2 December 1944 - "At about 1000 while performing his job, Lt Oberdan was wounded by arty fire and evacuated. Lt Hardin the only remaining officer in the company assumed command." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for December 1944)
    • Lt. Hardin (2 December 1944 [a platoon leader, "the only remaining officer in the company"] - 24 January 1945 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 2 December 1944 - "At about 1000 while performing his job, Lt Oberdan was wounded by arty fire and evacuated. Lt Hardin the only remaining officer in the company assumed command." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for December 1944)
      • 24 January 1945 - "Lieutenant Col Wemple attended a meeting at CC "A" CP at Born to receive instructions and orders. At 1630 Lt Col Wemple returned to the CP at Hunnange and issued the following orders: Lt Cagle who commanded Co "C" of the 17th was to leave the company in it's present position and report to Lt Col Rhea for further orders. Lt Hardin who commanded Co "B" of the 17th and who was attached to T.F. Seitz at the time, was to report to Lt Col Griffin's C.P. for further orders. Lt Col Griffin commanded the 38th Armd Inf. Bn and was to command a force known as Task Force Griffin for the following days operation." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for January 1945)
    • ???
  • Other Officers of B/17 were:
    • Lt. Hardin Platoon Leader (??? - 30 October 1944 - 2 December 1944, assumed Bn command)
      Sources:
      • 30 October 1944 - "At 1600 Lt. HARDIN'S platoon in Company "B" took an enemy tank under fire in the vicinity of 691115 but they did not knock it out, it turned and went back to the south." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports for October 1944)
      • 1 December 1944 - "Company "B" moved out of the assembly area near Puffendorf at 1330 and made contact with the infantry on the line of departure in the vicinity of 957644 at 1408, as planned, and the tanks and infantry continued the attack. At 1400 our arty started the heavy concentration on the town of Linnich and placed smoke on the high ground to the right. The tanks moved right with the infantry until they reached a point in the vicinity of coordinates 963652 to 966653 where they were stopped by heavy AT fire from the East, North and Northwest. At this point the tanks moved into a position which gave them some protection from the areas from which the enemy AT fire was coming and they moved back and forth placing fire on the enemy positions. Lt. Hardin who commanded the right assault platoon reported an enemy AT gun at 970653. He fired on it and the company commander called for arty on it through the FO that was in one of his tanks. Later it was found that the gun was knocked out by our tank and arty fire." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports for December 1944)
      • 2 December 1944 - "At about 1000 while performing his job, Lt Oberdan was wounded by arty fire and evacuated. Lt Hardin the only remaining officer in the company assumed command." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for December 1944)
    • Lt. Hoffman Platoon Leader (??? - 19 December 1944 ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of December 1944
    • Lt. Hummel 2nd Platoon Leader (??? - 30 October 1944 - 23 November 1944 - 1 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
    • Lt. Oberdan Platoon Leader (??? - 23-24 November 1944 - 1 December, assumed Bn command)
      Sources:
      • 1 December 1944 - "During the early part of the night Capt Pilat got his hand caught in the turret batch of his tank and was painfully injured and evacuated. Lt Oberdan assumed command of the company and proceeded with the task of getting the tanks into the town." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for December 1944)

• Company "C" (C/17): Medium Tanks
  • Commanding Officers of C/17 were:
    • Capt. Jacob A. George, Jr. (??? - 22-23 August 1944 - 7, 11, 19 September 1944, killed in action at Sillegny, France by small arms fire while throwing a hand-grenade from the turret of his tank)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-September 1944
    • Lt. Mahoney (19 September 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September 1944
    • (name not yet known - possibly Lt. Mahoney) (??? - 4 October 1944, wounded near Overloon, Holland)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
    • Lt. (promoted to Captain sometime between 30 October and 24 November 1944) Robert F. Urbom (??? - 27-30 October 1944 - 24, 27 November 1944 - 1, 22, 24 December 1944, wounded by sniper at Braunlauf, Belgium)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
    • ???
    • Lt. Cagle (??? - 24 January 1945 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 24 January 1945 - "Lieutenant Col Wemple attended a meeting at CC "A" CP at Born to receive instructions and orders. At 1630 Lt Col Wemple returned to the CP at Hunnange and issued the following orders: Lt Cagle who commanded Co "C" of the 17th was to leave the company in it's present position and report to Lt Col Rhea for further orders." (17th Tank Battalion After Action Report for January 1945)
    • ???
  • Other Officers of C/17 were:
    • 2nd Lt. Henry B. Felton, Jr. (??? - 30 October 1944 - 19 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October, December 1944
    • Lt. Olson 1st Platoon Leader (??? - 17 October 1944 - 24 December 1944, wounded by sniper at Braunlauf, Belgium)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-December 1944
    • Lt. Shilkrout (??? - 23 August 1944, wounded but not critically - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944
    • Lt. Frank B. Zinn (??? - 7 September 1944, evacuated with wound to hand)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September 1944

• Company "D" (D/17): Light Tanks
  • Commanding Officers of D/17 were:
    • ???
    • Capt. Neil (??? - 23 August 1944 - 11 September 1944 - 11-15, 27 October 1944, wounded by artillery while dismounted and making recon near Hoogebrug, Holland)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August-October 1944
    • Lt. Scharschmidt (27 October 1944 - 1 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October, December 1944
    • ???
  • Other Officers of D/17 were:
    • 1st Lt. James W. Bartholomew (??? - 27, 30 October 1944 - by 6 November 1944, transferred to HQ Company to lead I & R Platoon)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October-November 1944
      But the Morning Reports of D/17 and HQ Co/17 make no mention of him, and in fact 2d Lt. Colman assumed command of the I&R Platoon.
    • 2nd Lt. Canfield (25 August 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944
    • 2nd Lt. Charles E. Fairweather Platoon Leader (??? - 18 August 1944, killed in action at Rambouillet, France)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944
    • Lt. Vernon Files 2nd Platoon Leader (??? - 15, 27 October 1944, wounded at 683147, somewhere near Meijel, Holland)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944
    • 2d Lt. George W. S. Fogg (11 November 1944 [from A/17] - ???)
      Sources:
      • 11 November 1944 - transferred from HQ Co/17 to D/17 - HQ Company Morning Report 11 November 1944
    • Sgt. Hammond 3rd Platoon Leader (??? - 17 October 1944 - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944

• Service Company (Sv/17)
  • Commanding Officers of Sv/17 were:
    • Capt. Edmund F. Gehrling (??? - 11 August 1944 - 18 April 1945)
      Sources:
      • 11 August 1944 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 18 April 1945. Entered the military service from New York." [7th Armored Division General Order #69, dated 25 April 1945]
      • 20 December 1944 - "Co move from Laroche, Belgium under artillery fire, and as casualties are being reported, Capt Gehrling departs to obtain information leaving the Co to Lt. Christman. Lt. Beattey is absent on a special mission. Men are outposted for protection. Column goes through fire of small arms and artillery. Column halts as all Officers are on special missions. 1st Sgt turns Co over to Mr. Jason and keeps column oranized and moving. Co moves into bivouac area 4 miles east of Grandmenil, Belgium, for the night and Capt. Gehrling rejoins the Co." [Sv/17 Morning Report 20 December 1944]
      • 18 April 1945 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 18 April 1945. Entered the military service from New York." [7th Armored Division General Order #69, dated 25 April 1945]
    • ??? (18 April 1945 - ???) [possibly Capt. Simon until 30 April]
  • Other Officers of Sv/17 were:
    • 1st Lt. George R. Beattey (??? - 11 August 1944 - 18 July 1945 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 11 August 1944 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 8 May 1945. Entered the military service from Ohio." [7th Armored Division General Order #111, dated 18 July 1945]
      • 20 December 1944 - "Lt. Beattey is absent on a special mission." [Sv/17 Morning Report 20 December 1944]
      • 21 December 1944 - "Lt. Beattey rejoins Co." [Sv/17 Morning Report 21 December 1944]
      • 23 January 1945 - Purple Heart "for wounds received as a result of enemy action on 23 January 1945, in the St. Vith Area, Belgium. Entered the military service from Ohio." [7th Armored Division General Order #26, dated 30 January 1945]
      • 8 May 1945 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 8 May 1945. Entered the military service from Ohio." [7th Armored Division General Order #111, dated 18 July 1945]
    • 2nd Lt. (later 1st Lt.) ??? Christman (??? - 18 November 1944 - 20 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 18 November 1944 - promoted from 2nd Lt. to 1st Lt. [Sv/17 Morning Report 21 November 1944; Ninth US Army Special Order #77, 18 November 1944]
      • 20 December 1944 - "Co move from Laroche, Belgium under artillery fire, and as casualties are being reported, Capt Gehrling departs to obtain information leaving the Co to Lt. Christman. Lt. Beattey is absent on a special mission. Men are outposted for protection. Column goes through fire of small arms and artillery. Column halts as all Officers are on special missions. 1st Sgt turns Co over to Mr. Jason and keeps column oranized and moving. Co moves into bivouac area 4 miles east of Grandmenil, Belgium, for the night and Capt. Gehrling rejoins the Co." [Sv/17 Morning Report 20 December 1944]
    • 1st Lt. (later Capt.) Robert L. Simon (??? - 31 December 1943 - 30 April 1945)
      Sources:
      • 31 December 1943 - signed Service Company payroll (rank of 1st Lt.)
      • 11 August 1944 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 30 April 1945. Entered the military service from Oregon." [7th Armored Division General Order #86, dated 28 May 1945]
      • 11 August 1944 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 30 April 1945. Entered the military service from Oregon." [7th Armored Division General Order #86, dated 28 May 1945]
      • 24 November 1944 - wounded (rank of Capt.)
        • Purple Heart "for wounds received as a result of enemy action on 24 November 1944, in the Prummern Area, Germany. Entered the military service from Oregon." [7th Armored Division General Order #105, dated 30 November 1944]
        • "Shrapnel Wound Left Hand, as of 24 Nov 44. Remained on duty." [Sv/17 Morning Report 25 November 1944]
      • 30 April 1945 - per award of Bronze Star Medal: "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 30 April 1945. Entered the military service from Oregon." [7th Armored Division General Order #86, dated 28 May 1945]
    • CWO Ernest P. Stanley, Jr. (??? - 16 December 1944 - ???)
      Sources:
      • 16-17 December 1944 - 16 December entry showing him on temporary duty to Ninth U.S. Army; entry retroactively deleted 17 December [Sv/17 Morning Report 16-17 December 1944]
      • 24 January 1945 - Bronze Star Medal "for distinguishing himself by heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in Belgium, on 24 January 1945. Entered the military service from Michigan." [7th Armored Division General Order #43, dated 23 February 1945]

• Medical Detachment (Med/17)
  • Commanding Officers (Battalion Surgeons) of the Medical Detachments were:
    • Capt. T. T. Herring (??? - 8 May 1945 - ???)
      Sources: Post-combat Boxscore Map
  • Assistant Surgeons (Battalion M.A.C.)
    • 1st Lt. Robert J. Schroder (??? - 8 May 1945 - ???)
      Sources: Post-combat Boxscore Map
  • Other Officers of Med/17 were:
    • Lt. Wheeler (??? - 23 August 1944, slight hand wound - ???)
      Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944

• Maj. Thomas W. Dailey (States - Duration?)

• 1st Lt. Robert E. Miller (??? - 2 October 1944 - ???)
  Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September 1944

• Capt. Jack Howison [also Unit Historian] (??? - 28 October 1944 - ???)
  Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of October 1944

• ???
• Maj. White (22 September 1944 - 27 October 1944 - ???)
  Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of September-October 1944

• ???

• ???

• Capt. Jack Howison [also S-2] (??? - 22 August 1944 - 31 October 1944 - ???)
  Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of August 1944

• Capt. Simon (??? - 24 November 1944 - 29 December 1944 - 22 January 1945 - ???)
  Sources: 17th Tank Battalion After Action Reports of November 1944-January 1945

17th Tank Battalion Officers of unknown assignments

• M/Sgt, later 2nd Lt., Gordon O. Johnson (??? - 11 August 1944 - 8 May 1945 - ???)
  Sources:
  • 26 May 1945: Awarded Bronze Star Medal: "SECOND LIEUTENANT (then Master Sergeant and Second Lieutenant) GORDON O. JOHNSON (Army Serial Number 02008545), Armored, 17th Tank Battalion, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, from 11 August 1944 to 8 May 1945. Entered the military service from Wisconsin."

• Combat Interviews of the 17th Tank Battalion: August 1944: Click here to find out about these interviews.
• Combat Interviews of the 17th Tank Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944: Click here to find out about these interviews.

• Entire War
  • Official Records of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion: After Action Reports, Journals and more (Click here for more information, ordering instructions, and samples for December 19, 1944.)

• Battle of the Bulge: December 1944 - January 1945
  • US Army Armored School Research and Evaluation Division. The Defense of St. Vith, Belgium 17-23 December 1944: An historical example of armor in the defense. Fort Knox: Armored School. (Click here for information on this book.)

  • Boyer at St. Vith: Major Donald P. Boyer's "Personal Report: Narrative Account of Action of 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, Battle of St. Vith, 17-22 December 1944" and "Notes - The Battle of St. Vith, 17-22 December 1944" (Click here for information about this book.)

  • Combat Interviews of the 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.): Just a few references to 17th Tank Battalion.

  • Combat Interviews of the 31st Tank Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.)

  • Combat Interviews of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-21, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.)

  • Combat Interviews of the 48th Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-21, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.): Just a few references to 17th Tank Battalion.