192-B-Before The War

Co. B in action before the war.

Gibson1 — National Guard Armory in Maywood.
Courtesy of Steve Gibson

GSmith22 — 33rd Tank Company Armory
Courtesy of the Smith family

Lm1 — Left to Right: Henry L. Warner, commander Winfield Scott Post, V.F.W.; Capt. Theodore Wickord, commanding officer B Company; Philip Bechley, commander of Maywood Post, American Legion; pose for this picture at a dinner, in Maywood, for the members of the company before they left for Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

Lm2 — From the left: S/Sgt. Edward G. Winger and 1st. Lt. Donald Hanes pose for this photo in front of a truck carrying B Company’s equipment to Ft. Knox.

Lm3 — S/Sgt. Edward G. Winger takes roll call of the members of B Company before they leave for Ft. Knox.

Ml5 — From the left: Capt. Ted Wickord shakes the hand of Major General Bruce Magruder the commanding general of the 1st Armor Division upon B Company’s arrival at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. The 192nd trained with the 1st Armor Division.

Byars1 — Pvts. Steve Gados Mike Wepsiec, and Frank Jendrysik at Ft. Knox for Christmsas 1940
Courtesy of the Beyars family

GSmith03 — Morning Assembly winter of 1940/41.
Courtesy of the George Smith family

Smithg10 — Lt. Emmett Gibson and 1st. Sgt. Matthew MacDowell at Ft. Knox in Winter of 1940/41.
Courtesy of the George Smith family

Brown1 — LaPrade Brown during the winter of 1940/41.
Courtesy of Albert Clayton

General

Ft. Knox Training — Ft. Knox Training
Ft. Knox Training

GSmith23 — B Co. at morning assembly in the spring of 1941. Courtesy of George Smith family Courtesy of George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family

Co._B_Barrick — Inside view of a B Co. Barrick.
Co._B_Barrick

Tanks Column Back — Tanks Column Back
Tanks Column Back

Tank_Washing — B Co. tank crew washes their tank in the Salt River.
Tank_Washing

Brown Tank Crew — Laprade Brown leans on his tank in the Salt River.
Brown Tank Crew

TANK2

Flying Tank — B Company tanks on the firing range at Fort Knox. One crew managed to get their tank off the ground.
Flying Tank

Tank Pushing — Members of B Co. push a tank.
Tank Pushing

Mullholland1 — From Left: Pvt. Norman Spencer, Cpl. Bob Martin and Pvt. James Williams during training at Ft. Knox in 1941. Pvt. James Williams did not go to the Philippine Islands.
Courtesy og Orrie Mulholland

Smithg7 — B Co. Cooks preparing a meal. Courtesy of George Smith Family
Smithg7

B Co. Mess Hall — Inside the B Co. Mess Hall
B Co. Mess Hall

Scout Car Convoy 2 — B Co. Scout cars
Scout Car Convoy 2

Scout Car Convoy 1

Rusch Mueller Kerins — Rusch Mueller Kerins
Rusch Mueller Kerins

Al Edwards_Jim Edwards_Norman_Goodman — Sgt. Al Edwards, PFC Jim Edwards, and Sgt Norm Goodman
Al Edwards, Jim Edwards and Norman_Goodman

Mulholland 1 — Orrie Mulholland, George Smith, Steve Gados Jim Bashleben, and Willard Von Bergen Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
Mulholland 1

Cpl._Larry_Jordan — Cpl. Larry Jordan durinf summer of 1941.
Cpl._Larry_Jordan

Boni2 — Pvt. Carl Maggio
Courtesy of the Boni family

Williamsjennings — Williamsjennings
Williamsjennings

Wickordschwass Wingeredwardshopple Bashcut — Lt. Col. Ted Wickord, Capt. Ruben Schwass, Lt. Ed Winger, Sgt Al Edwards, Sgt. John Hopple and Sgt. Jim Bashleben stand in front of B Company tanks during training at Fort Knox. Only Lt. Col. Wickord and Sgt. Jim Bashleben would survive the war and the years of captivity as Japanese POWs.
Wickordschwass Wingeredwardshopple Bashcut

Smithg3 — B Co. football game. Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
Smithg3

Volleyball 1 — B Co. volleyball game
Volleyball 1

BCOVolleyball

Bashleben_Massimino_Vandenbroucke — From Left: Pvt. Willard Von Bergen, PFC. Jim Bashleben, and Cpl. John Massimino.
Bashleben_Massimino_Vandenbroucke

Unknown Tankers — Unknown Tankers
Unknown Tankers

Kodaj_in_Turret — Pvt. Steve Kodaj in the turret of his tank.
Kodaj_in_Turret

Bronge-Massimino — Cpl. Bob Bronge and Pvt. John Massimino work on their tank.
Bronge-Massimino

Tank Crew — From Turret left to right: Orrie Mulholland, Bob Martin, Al Edwards, Steve Gados, and Clyde Ehrhardt
Tank Crew

Bardowski — Zenon Bardowski next to his tank. The name Josephine was apparently written on the turret for the photo. Josphine was the name of his dog.
Bardowski

Peterson 1 — The members of B Company in this picture taken at Ft. Knox in early 1941 are from the top left: Sgt. Robert Peterson, Sgt. David Merkel, Pvt. Steve Kodaj, and Sgt. Al Edwards. Bottom row from left- Pvt. Ray Vandenbroucke, Pfc. Harold Lane, Lt. Emmett Gibson, Sgt. Joseph Brodaczewski, Pfc. Willard Jennings, Lt. Donald Hanes. Of the men in this picture, only Sgt. David Merkel and Sgt. Joseph Brodaczewski did not go to the Philippines. Courtesy of Ray Peterson
Peterson 1

Tank Convoy — Tank Convoy
Tank Convoy

Boni4 — Pvt. Danny Boni and Cpl. Robert Bronge at Ft. Knox. The two men were first cousins.
Courtesy of the Boni family

GSmith06 — Headquarters Building Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith06

Swartz M. — Pvt. Michael Swartz.
Swartz M.

Swartz — Swartz
Swartz

Ball_John — Pvt. John Ball
Ball_John

Holland2 — John Hopple (B Co) on the left and Bill Hullihan on the right. Courtesy of the Hullihan family
Courtesy of the Holland family

Holland8 — Left: Pvt. John Ball Right: Pvt. John Hopple.
Courtesy of the Holland family

Deckert — Henry Deckert trained as a cook. He was the first U.S. Tank Corps member killed in tank to tank action in WWII. Courtesy of the Gorr Family
Deckert

Unknown, Deckert and Alex Gorr — From the left, an unknown member of the 192nd poses with Henry Deckert and Alex Gorr at Ft. Knox. Pfc. Henry Deckert was the first member of an American tank crew killed in tank to tank action in WWII. – Courtesy of the Gorr Family
Unknown, Deckert and Alex Gorr

Rusch, Mueller, Kerins — Left to Right: Harry Rusch, Alex Mueller, and Bill Kerins Courtesy of Ray Peterson
Rusch, Mueller, Kerins

B Co. Friends — From top left to bottom right: Laprade Brown, Ray Vandebroucle, Jim Cahill, Martin Wasserman, and Norman Goodman Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
B Co. Friends

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 5

Gorr3 — Pvt. Alex Gorr and PFC Jim Bashleben on Bashleben’s motorcycle. Courtesy of the Gorr Family
Courtesy of the Gorr Family

Gib6 — An unknown officer firing a Thompson machine gun at the firing range.
Gib6

Bashleben&Bike — Jim Bashleben on his Harley Davidson at Ft. Knox.
Bashleben&Bike

Byars3 — Frank Byars in front of Headquarters Building.
Courtesy of the Byars family

smithg4 — Battalion HQ and vehicles. Courtesy of George Smith Family
smithg4

SmithG3 — B Co. Tanks. Courtesy of George Smith Family
SmithG3

Gibson Tank — 2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson next to a tank. Courtesy of George Smith family
Gibson Tank

Gib5 — 2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson in “beep” which were later known as jeeps.
Gib5

Cornils_Al — Al Cornils
Cornils_Al

Gados 1 — Pvt. Steve Gados
Gados 1

Tanks On Ridge — Tanks On Ridge
Tanks On Ridge

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 8 — B Co. tanks on firing range
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 8

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 9 — Firing range
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 9

Firing Range at Ft. Knox.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland — Firing Range at Ft. Knox. Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland

Gib3 — 2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson relaxing at the firing range.
Gib3

Gib4 — B Co. officers brainstorming
Gib4

Gib1 — Gib1
Gib1

Gib2 — 2nd Lt. Arthur Holland waiting to see if he qualified on a gun.
Gib2

Mulholland3 — Larry Jordan poses for this photo on a 15 mile march made in March 1941 by the entire battalion.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland

Mullholland5 — B Co. with full backpacks on 15 mile march during March 1941.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland

B Co. Hike — The two closest soldiers in this photo are Martin Camfferman (left) and Joseph Kwiatkowski (right).
B Co. Hike

Tribune Story 6 — The Chicago Tribune ran an article on B Co. and the 192nd Tank Battalion in 1941. These photos are from that column. Courtesy of the Cornils Family
Tribune Story 6

192nd_Parade_Ground — Photos from the Chicago Tribune for a Sunday paper story.
192nd_Parade_Ground

Tribune Story 1

Tribune Story 2

Tribune Story 3

Tribune Story 5

Tribune 7 — B Co. tank at dam across Salt River.
Tribune 7

Tanks3 — B Co. tanks crossing the Salt River.
Tanks3

Tanks2 — B Co. Tank entering the Salt River at Ft. Knox.
Tanks2

Armato — Sgt. Richard Armato
Armato

Gados 5 — Steve Gados poses with a jeep made by Dodge.
Courtesy of the Gados family

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 6 — B Co. Tank crews with their tanks. Courtesy of the George Smith family
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 6

spencer-martin-j.williams — From Left: Pvt. Norman Spencer, Cpl. Bob Martin and Pvt. James Williams during training at Ft. Knox in 1941. Courtesy of the George Smith family Pvt. James Williams did not go to the Philippine Islands. Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland ©
spencer-martin-j.williams

Smithg8 — 192nd Barracks in fog Courtesy of George Smith Family
Smithg8

Ft. Knox Barracks — The new barracks of the 192nd that they moved into in March 1941.
Ft. Knox Barracks

Ft. Knox At Night — 192nd’s barracks at night.
Ft. Knox At Night

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 10

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 9 — Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 9
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 9

Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 8 — Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 8
B Co. Tanks at firing range Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith24 — Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks.
Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith09 — B Co. mess hall. Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith09

SmithG1 — Covered B Co. tanks in tank park.
Courtesy of the George Smith family

SmithG2 — B Co. tanks. Courtesy of George Smith Family
SmithG2

GSmith01 — 2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson
GSmith01

GSmith02 — The following photos were taken at Ft. Knox by George Smith. When possible men have been named. George Smith did not go to the Philippines.
GSmith02

GSmith04 — Unknown, Matthew MacDowell, Roger Heilig, Unknown. Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith04

GSmith17 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith05 — Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith05

GSmith10 — George Smith on right with “Chick” on left. Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith10

GSmith07 — Summer maneuvers at Ft. Knox. Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith07

Brown9 — From top left: Laprade Brown, Ray Vadbenbrouke, Unknown, John Cahill. Bottom from left Martin Wasserman, Norm Goodman, Unknown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown20 — Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown12 — Larade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown10 — Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown25 — Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown26 — Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

GSmith11 — Roger Heilig Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith11

GSmith12 — Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith12

GSmith13 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith14 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith18 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith15 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith19 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith20 — Courtesy of the George Smith family

GSmith21 — B Co.’s tanks and trucks
Courtesy of the George Smith family

Brown1 — Richard Armato and an Unknown member of B Co.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown2 — Richard Armato and Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown40 — Richard Armato
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown4 — Richard Armato
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown5 — Jim Bashleben and Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown6 — Jim Bashleben, Andrew Hepburn, and Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown7 — Laprade Brown in dress uniform
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown11 — Laprade Brown policing area outside of barracks.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown8 — Laprade Brown in “beep” which were later known as jeeps.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown12 — Laprade Brown (on let) and an unknown member of B Company.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown13 — Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown15 — Laprade Brown in his dress uniform.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Hullihan7 — John Hopple
Courtesy of the Hullihan family

Brown16 — Laprade Brown after ahard day’s work.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Hullihan39 — Nick Fryziuk in front of 192nd tanks.
Courtesy of the Hullihan family

Brown17 — Craps game
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown18 — From left: Frank Goldstein, Unknown, Unknown,Unknow,, and John Massimino.(without shirt)
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown19 — From left on ground: Bill Hauser, Unknown, Nick Fyziuk (in front), Al Edwards, Laprade Brown (on ground)
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown21 — From left: Matt MacDowell, Jim Bainbridge, Laprade Brown, Norm Goodman, and Bob Peterson
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown22 — Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown23 — Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown24 — Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown29 — From top: Unknown, Laprade Brown, and Richard Armato
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Brown28 — Unknown, John Massimino, Jim Bashleben, Unknown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Maneuvers 2 — B Co. Tanks at the Louisiana maneuvers.
Maneuvers 2

Maneuvers Chow — B Co. is fed while on maneuvers.
Maneuvers Chow

Shaffer Martin — Shaffer Martin
Shaffer Martin

Sleeping Soldiers — Sleeping Soldiers
Sleeping Soldiers

Maneuvers 2 — B Co. Tanks during Louisiana maneuvers. Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
Maneuvers 2

Tanks5 — Tanks5
Tanks5

Tanks4 — Tanks4
Tanks4

Tanks1 Cut — Tanks1 Cut
Tanks1 Cut

Tanks Motorcycles — Tanks Motorcycles
Tanks Motorcycles

Tanks of the 192nd advance during the Louisiana Maneuvers — Tanks of the 192nd advance during the Louisiana Maneuvers Courtesy of Glenn Hulsted
Tanks of the 192nd advance during the Louisiana Maneuvers Courtesy of Glenn Hulsted

Gator — B Co. with the small alligator they caught on the maneuvers.
Gator

Soldiers — Haorld Lane, Jim Edwards, and Al Edwards on the maneuvers with jeep.
Soldiers

Maneuvers1 — Ralph Shaffer, an unknown member of the tank crew, and Bob Martin during the maneuvers.
Maneuvers1

Three Soldiers — B Co. eating lunch during the Louisiana maneuvers.
Three Soldiers

Brown27 — Courtesy of Alberta Clayton

Morin Letter Gs Envelope 001 — This letter was sent by Ben Morin to his friend, George Smith, as the 192nd made its way to San Francisco. George Smith had been a member of B Company but was released from federal service, in August of 1941, due to hearing loss.
Morin Letter Gs Envelope 001

Morin Letter Gs P1 001 — 1st. Sgt. Ben Morin wrote this letter to George Smith
Morin Letter Gs P1 001

Morin Letter Gs P2 001

Morin Letter Gs P3 001

Morin Letter Gs P4 001

Von Bergen Wedding 2 — Von Bergen Wedding 2
Von Bergen Wedding 2

Deployment 1 — B Co., 192nd heading west to San Francisco in late 1941.
Deployment 1

Deployment 2

Deployment 3 — Tanks of B Co. on flatcars heading toward San Francisco. This was the second train that followed the train carrying most of the men of the company.
Deployment 3

Deployment 4

Deployment 6 — Members of B Co. pose for this photo with their train as they head west to San Francisco.
Deployment 6

Deployment 5 — Members of B Company march back toward their train while at a stop in Portola Valley, California.
Deployment 5

Holland Letter Envelope 001a — This letter was written by 2nd Lt. Arthur Holland to George and Marie Smith while he was on board the General Hugh Scott sailing for the Philippine Islands. Arthur Holland died as a Japanese POW.
Holland Letter Envelope 001a

Holland Letter P 1a — Letter from 2nd Lt. Arthur Holland to George Smith and his wife. Smith was released from service because of hearing loss.
Holland Letter P 1a

Holland Letter P 1b

Holland Letter P 2a — Holland Letter P 2a
Holland Letter P 2a

Holland Letter P 2b

Holland Letter P 3a — Holland Letter P 3a
Holland Letter P 3a

Holland Letter P 3b

Created on April 24, 2019

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