US Army Collar Disk question

Hello Gentlemen,

In a US armored division in WWII, would the armored infantrymen wear the same Collar Disk set as the tankers? My father was in the armored infantry and I noticed in a couple of his photos, he wore the tank corps collar disk.

Thanks!
James

 

Can you post some pictures please? Some documentation such as discharge papers, orders, etc would be extremely helpful as well.

 

Hello,

Unfortunately I'm on an IPad so once I get on a computer I can upload photos from, I'll attach a couple.

Thanks!
James

 

I had some luck on my phone so here are two pics, I'm assuming were taken prior to going overseas. Both appear to have tank disks.

Thanks!
James

 

The one on the right was taken first, probably shortly after arriving for basic training. The one on the left may have been taken after training and before going overseas.

 

Hello,

Thanks for the response. Since he fought in an armored infantry battalion in the ETO, was the tank disk worn by armored infantry as well, or was he maybe in the tank corps at some point?

Thanks again!
James

 

I'm not sure there was a uniform (no pun intended) practice, but here is a picture of a Sergeant in the 62nd Armored Infantry Regiment who is clearly wearing the infantry collar insignia. And a picture of a WWII veteran of the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment who also has the infantry disc rather than the armor disc.

It would seem to make sense that, since they were infantry units, they would wear the infantry disc as opposed to the armor disc. Needless to say, the shiny, brass collar insignia would not have been worn in a combat setting.

 

Makes sense, I was just looking at a couple of photos of a company from his armored infantry battalion and they were each wearing the infantry disk. I remember him telling me about his extensive tank training so he may have switched at some point, hard to say now. : )

Thanks!
James

 

I suppose it's possible that he wore the armor disc during training, but I have not found anything yet to indicate if that is possible. I suggest looking for armored infantry veteran interviews. They may talk about their training which, in turn, may give you some clues.

 

I'll give it a shot, thanks!

 

Do you have any discharge papers, orders, etc to share with us in order to get to the bottom of the mystery?

 

I think this is probably what happened. He enlisted/was drafted and received armor training, hence the armor tab, and later was switched, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to the armored infantry. I would be willing to bet that both photographs were taken before he changed branches or shortly thereafter before receiving the proper insignia.

Here is a photo of Leo Nelson Adams - 58th armored infantry battalion

Note the air corps/air force tab.
He was inducted in July, 1943, and his story on the involuntary switch.

This took place sometime during late 1943 or 1944. His first action was the Battle of the Bulge.

 

Hey Guys,

Excellent info, I really appreciate your time. Based on Dad's accounts of tank training, I agree, a change must have occurred to the Armored Infantry. I don't have scans, but his 1944 Expert Infantryman Certificate shows he was in the Armored Infantry. His Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge form from 12/17/45 doesn't specify, but it does list his CIB which would indicate infantry I would assume? He then reenlisted into the 42nd Armored Infantry Battalion.

Thanks again!
James

 

One more thing please which is somewhat off topic, but it came to mind after reading a tanker's account of his action in Germany. I could start a different thread if that would be the correct way to go. He spoke of times where during battle, members of his tank crew would get injured/killed then replaced by someone who might have been outside on foot, driving a vehicle, etc. Would an armored infantryman with tank training supporting that tank battalion assist at times?

 

In the midst of combat, I suppose just about anything can and does happen. I would imagine if they were desperate enough, even armor training would have been optional.

 

Yep, sometimes things just don't go according to plan so that would make sense.

Thanks again for your responses : )

 

Just a little note, if anyone still has questions. My grandfather served in the 2nd Armored Rifles Bn, 51st Inf, in the late '50s and early '60s. They were an armored infantry unit and his company was later converted to the very first modern LRRPs (and thus modern Rangers). They always used the infantry insignia on their uniforms even though they were in an armored division.