World War II
Activated: 15 July 1943.
Overseas: 5 February 1945
Campaigns: Central Europe.
Days of combat: 3.
Awards: DSC-2; SS-4; SM-1 ; BSM-135 ; AM-1.
Commanders:
Maj. Gen. Douglass T. Greene (July 1943-August 1944)
Brig. Gen. John L. Pierce (September 1944 to inactivation).
Returned to U. S.: 6 October 1945.
Inactivated: 15 October 1945.
Combat Chronicle
The 16th Armored Division arrived in France, 11 February 1945, and was attached to the Third Army. It was given a security and training mission at Nurnberg, Germany, beginning 28 April. One of its component units, the 23d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (mechanized), was relieved of security duty and attached to the 86th Division. While under the control of that organization, it crossed the Isar River at Granek, 30 April, advanced to Indorf, seizing several small villages, and was driving toward Wasserburg against slight resistance when ordered to return to Nurnberg. When the 23d Cavalry Squadron arrived at Nurnberg, 4 May, it reverted to the control of the 16th Armored. The Division proceeded to Waidhaus, Germany, 5 May and launched an attack on Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, on the neat day, winning that city against scattered and sporadic resistance. The 7th and 8th of May were spent in mopping up activities and patrolling. The capture of the famous beer and munitions city marked the deepest point of American penetration into Czechoslovakia.
Assignments in the ETO *
29 January 1945: Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group.
17 April 1945: Third Army, 12th Army Group.
6 May 1945: V Corps.
General
Shoulder patch: Same as the 1st Armored, but with the number "16" in the upper portion of the triangle. Association: 16th Armored Division Association, 2517 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D. C. (Mr. McArthur H. Manchester, secretary). Publication: Pictorial Review; by unit members; Albert Love Enterprises, Atlanta 2, Ga.; 1944.
* See footnote, 1st Infantry Division.
584
[Nota Bene: These combat chronicles, current as of October 1948, are reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.]