741st Tank Battalion (United States)

741st Tank Battalion was a tank unit of the United States Army. Two of its three medium tank companies were equipped with amphibious Sherman DD tanks. It was committed in support of 16th RCT, 1st Infantry Division at Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944, losing 27 of its 32 DD tanks as they attempted to swim ashore. The 16 regular Shermans in the third company were landed directly onto the beaches.

The unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty for their role in the invasion of France on the Colleville-aur-Mer beach of Normandy on June 6 and 7, 1944. The citation read as follows: "Armored units of the battalion led the assault wave in landing in the face of extensive and elaborate enemy minefields which had not been cleared or gapped and under the withering artillery, anti-tank, machine-gun, and mortar fire from organized and fortified enemy positions. In spite of extremely heavy losses the attack was aggressively pushed against the unexpectedly still enemy resistance, thereby enabling the infantry to hold the beach. When planned exits from the beach were unusable due to enemy installation of road blocks, minefields, and fortifications, the 741st Tank Battalion forced new exits from the beach against the enemy positions and by such action enabled a beach line to be secured and held, insuring success of the landing and the beachhead. Only through the courageous performance of the officers and enlisted men was the objective secured. In the midst of unceasing enemy fire and often in the face of certain death, duties were performed unhesitatingly and with utter disregard for personal safety. The courage and devotion to duty shown by members of the 741st Tank Battalion are worthy of emulation and reflect the highest traditions of the Army of the United States." The 741st also played a crucial role in the support of the 2nd Infantry Division in the assault on Hill 192 and crossing the Vire River, which led to the capture of Vire. In late September 1944, the unit was assigned to the 28th Infantry Division and supported the 110th Infantry Regiment in the initial penetration of the Siegfried line. According to Commendation issued October 10 1944, by L. T. Gerow, Major General, U.S. Army, Commanding, "The achievement of the battalion in shooting out the 'dragons teeth' in this line is one of the outstanding accomplishments in the employment of tanks."

For their display of extraordinary courage in the Ardennes forest on December 17 - 19, 1944, the 741st Tank Battalion was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge and Oak Leaf Cluster. The citation reads: "Companies A, B and C of the 741st Tank Battalion are cited for outstanding performance of duty against the enemy from 17 to 19 December 1944. During a violent enemy counterattack in the KRINKELT - ROCHERATH area, BELGIUM, personnel inexperienced in combat such as cooks, clerks and drivers, manned deadlined tanks and with superb courage met the headlong plunge of the enemy and inflicted severe casualties upon him. With utter disregard for their personal safety, the officers and men of these three gallant companies faced devastating hostile tank, anti-tank and self-propelled artillery fire and fought on tenaciously against overwhelming enemy forces. Again and again the infuriated enemy threw armor and infantry against the dauntless defenders but for three days and nights these assaults were turned back by the unwavering fortitude of the inspired men. When it became necessary to withdraw to a more tenable defensive position, the tank men covered the withdrawal and were the last to leave the scene of battle. During the bitter three day engagement they had destroyed twenty seven enemy tanks, five armored vehicles and two trucks. Their indomitable fighting spirit and unflinching devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces." The unit reported that 27 tanks were destroyed in this action.