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16th Armored Division
The mixture of insignia and distinctive colors of several arms incorporated in the Armored Force symbolize integrity and esprit. It is an interlocked ornament, found in Nordic monuments, composed of three torques: red for Artillery; blue for Infantry; and yellow for Cavalry. The symbols represent the characteristics of Armored Divisions: the tank track, mobility and armor protection; the cannon, fire power; and the red bolt of lightning, shock action.
[page 546]
COMMAND AND STAFF
Commanding General
11Feb45 |
Brig. Gen. John L. Pierce |
Artillery Commander
11Feb45 |
Col. Barksdale Hamlett |
Chief of Staff
11Feb45 |
Col. Thomas V. Webb |
21Mar45 |
Col. Edwin C. Greiner (Acting) |
4Apr45 |
Col. Edwin C. Greiner |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-1
11Feb45 |
Lt. Col. Ralph W. Gontrum |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-2
11Feb45 |
Maj. George T. Rolan |
6Mar45 |
Lt. Col. Everett G. Hahney |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-3
11Feb45 |
Lt. Col. Shelby F. Williams |
21Mar45 |
Lt. Col. James M. Worthington |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-4
11Feb45 |
Lt. Col. Elbert M. Sleeker |
14Mar45 |
Lt. Col. Philip L. Elliott |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-5
21Mar45 |
Maj. Julian P. Anderson |
Adjutant General
11Feb45 |
Lt. Col. Leo E. Schulten, Jr. |
Commanding Officer, Combat Command A
11Feb45 |
Col. William T. Hamilton |
23Mar45 |
Lt. Col. Thoss B. Beck (Acting) |
23Apr45 |
Lt. Col. Shelby F. Williams |
Commanding Officer, Combat Command B
11Feb45 |
Col. Charles H. Noble |
Commanding Officer, Reserve Command
11Feb45 |
Col. Charles F. Howard |
4Apr45 |
Lt. Col. Shelby F. Williams |
23Apr45 |
Lt. Col. Thoss B. Beck |
[page 547]
STATISTICS
Chronology
- Activated 15 July 1943
- Arrived ETO 11 February 1945
- Arrived Continent 11 February 1945 (D+250)
- Entered Combat:
- First Elements 28 April 1945
- Entire Division 5 May 1945
- Days in Combat 3
Casualties (Tentative)
- Killed
- Wounded 12
- Missing
- Captured
- Battle Casualties 12
- Non-Battle Casualties 231
- Total Casualties 243
- Percent of T/O Strength 2.3
Campaigns
Central Europe
Individual Awards
- Distinguished Service Cross 1
- Silver Star 2
- Soldiers Medal 1
- Bronze Star 85
- Air Medal 1
Prisoners of War Taken 26,283
COMPOSITION
- Headquarters Company
- Combat Command A
- Combat Command B
- Reserve Command
- 5th Tank Battalion
- 16th Tank Battalion
- 26th Tank Battalion
- 18th Armored Infantry Battalion
- 64th Armored Infantry Battalion
- 69th Armored Infantry Battalion
- 23d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized)
- 216th Armored Engineer Battalion
- 156th Armored Signal Company
- 16th Armored Division Artillery
- 393d Armored Field Artillery Battalion
- 396th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
- 397th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
- 16th Armored Division Trains
- 137th Ordnance Maintenance Battalion
- 216th Armored Medical Battalion
- Military Police Platoon
- Band
[page 548]
ATTACHMENTS
Antiaircraft Artillery
571st AAA AW Bn (SP) |
20Apr45-19May45 |
Engineer
1 platoon, 994th Engr Treadway Br
Co |
6May45-10May45 |
Field Artillery
Btry B, 987th FA Bn (155mm Gun) |
6May45-15May45 |
Tank Destroyer
633d TD Bn (SP) |
1May45-14Jun45 |
[page 549]
DETACHMENTS
(Attached to)
Cavalry
23d Cav Rcn Sq |
86th Div |
28Apr45-3May45 |
Infantry
69th Armd Inf Bn (- Co B) |
Third Army |
1May45-3May45 |
�Co B, 26th Tk Bn |
Third Army |
1May45-3May45 |
�1 platoon, Co C, 216th Armd Engr
Bn |
Third Army |
1May45-3May45 |
[page 549]
ASSIGNMENT AND ATTACHMENT TO HIGHER UNITS
DATE |
CORPS |
ARMY |
ARMY GROUP |
Assigned |
Attached |
Assigned |
Attached |
29Jan45 |
|
|
|
ETOUSA |
|
29Jan45 |
|
Fifteenth |
|
12th |
|
17Apr45 |
|
Third |
|
12th |
|
6May45 |
V |
Third |
|
12th |
|
(-) indicates relieved from assignment
[page 550]
COMMAND POSTS
DATE |
TOWN |
REGION |
COUNTRY |
18Feb45 |
Elbeuf-en-Bray |
Seine-Inferieure |
France |
16Apr45 |
Reims |
Marne |
France |
17Apr45 |
Kaiserslautern |
Pfalz |
Germany |
18Apr45 |
Mainz |
Pfalz |
Germany |
27Apr45 |
Wurzburg |
Bavaria |
Germany |
28Apr45 |
Nurnberg |
Bavaria |
Germany |
5May45 |
Waidhaus |
Bavaria |
Germany |
6May45 |
Pilsen |
Bohemia |
Czechoslovakia |
[page 551]
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