192 - Co. B - Before The War
National Guard Armory in Maywood.
Courtesy of Steve Gibson
33rd Tank Company Armory
Courtesy of the Smith family
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.
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.
S/Sgt. Edward G. Winger takes roll call of the members of B Company before they leave for Ft. Knox.
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.
Pvts. Steve Gados Mike Wepsiec, and Frank Jendrysik at Ft. Knox for Christmsas 1940
Courtesy of the Beyars family
Morning Assembly winter of 1940/41.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Lt. Emmett Gibson and 1st. Sgt. Matthew MacDowell at Ft. Knox in Winter of 1940/41.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
LaPrade Brown during the winter of 1940/41.
Courtesy of Albert Clayton
General
Ft. Knox Training
Ft. Knox Training
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
Inside view of a B Co. Barrick.
Co._B_Barrick
Tanks Column Back
Tanks Column Back
B Co. tank crew washes their tank in the Salt River.
Tank_Washing
Laprade Brown leans on his tank in the Salt River.
Brown Tank Crew
TANK2
B Company tanks on the firing range at Fort Knox. One crew managed to get their tank off the ground.
Flying Tank
Members of B Co. push a tank.
Tank Pushing
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
B Co. Cooks preparing a meal.
Courtesy of George Smith Family
Smithg7
Inside the B Co. Mess Hall
B Co. Mess Hall
B Co. Scout cars
Scout Car Convoy 2
Scout Car Convoy 1
Rusch Mueller Kerins
Rusch Mueller Kerins
Sgt. Al Edwards, PFC Jim Edwards, and Sgt Norm Goodman
Al Edwards, Jim Edwards and Norman_Goodman
Orrie Mulholland, George Smith, Steve Gados Jim Bashleben, and Willard Von Bergen
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
Mulholland 1
Cpl. Larry Jordan durinf summer of 1941.
Cpl._Larry_Jordan
Pvt. Carl Maggio
Courtesy of the Boni family
Williamsjennings
Williamsjennings
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
B Co. football game.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
Smithg3
B Co. volleyball game
Volleyball 1
BCOVolleyball
From Left: Pvt. Willard Von Bergen, PFC. Jim Bashleben, and Cpl. John Massimino.
Bashleben_Massimino_Vandenbroucke
Unknown Tankers
Unknown Tankers
Pvt. Steve Kodaj in the turret of his tank.
Kodaj_in_Turret
Cpl. Bob Bronge and Pvt. John Massimino work on their tank.
Bronge-Massimino
From Turret left to right: Orrie Mulholland, Bob Martin, Al Edwards, Steve Gados, and Clyde Ehrhardt
Tank Crew
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
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
Headquarters Building
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith06
Pvt. Michael Swartz.
Swartz M.
Swartz
Swartz
Pvt. John Ball
Ball_John
John Hopple (B Co) on the left and Bill Hullihan on the right.
Courtesy of the Hullihan family
Courtesy of the Holland family
Left: Pvt. John Ball Right: Pvt. John Hopple.
Courtesy of the Holland family
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
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
Left to Right: Harry Rusch, Alex Mueller, and Bill Kerins
Courtesy of Ray Peterson
Rusch, Mueller, Kerins
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
Pvt. Alex Gorr and PFC Jim Bashleben on Bashleben's motorcycle.
Courtesy of the Gorr Family
Courtesy of the Gorr Family
An unknown officer firing a Thompson machine gun at the firing range.
Gib6
Jim Bashleben on his Harley Davidson at Ft. Knox.
Bashleben&Bike
Frank Byars in front of Headquarters Building.
Courtesy of the Byars family
Battalion HQ and vehicles.
Courtesy of George Smith Family
smithg4
B Co. Tanks.
Courtesy of George Smith Family
SmithG3
2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson next to a tank.
Courtesy of George Smith family
Gibson Tank
2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson in "beep" which were later known as jeeps.
Gib5
Al Cornils
Cornils_Al
Pvt. Steve Gados
Gados 1
Tanks On Ridge
Tanks On Ridge
B Co. tanks on firing range
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 8
Firing range
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 9
Firing Range at Ft. Knox.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson relaxing at the firing range.
Gib3
B Co. officers brainstorming
Gib4
Gib1
Gib1
2nd Lt. Arthur Holland waiting to see if he qualified on a gun.
Gib2
Larry Jordan poses for this photo on a 15 mile march made in March 1941 by the entire battalion.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
B Co. with full backpacks on 15 mile march during March 1941.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
The two closest soldiers in this photo are Martin Camfferman (left) and Joseph Kwiatkowski (right).
B Co. Hike
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
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
B Co. tank at dam across Salt River.
Tribune 7
B Co. tanks crossing the Salt River.
Tanks3
B Co. Tank entering the Salt River at Ft. Knox.
Tanks2
Sgt. Richard Armato
Armato
Steve Gados poses with a jeep made by Dodge.
Courtesy of the Gados family
B Co. Tank crews with their tanks.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks 6
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
192nd Barracks in fog
Courtesy of George Smith Family
Smithg8
The new barracks of the 192nd that they moved into in March 1941.
Ft. Knox Barracks
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 8
B Co. Tanks at firing range
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Ft. Knox B Co. Tanks.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
B Co. mess hall.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith09
Covered B Co. tanks in tank park.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
B Co. tanks.
Courtesy of George Smith Family
SmithG2
2nd Lt. Emmett Gibson
GSmith01
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
Unknown, Matthew MacDowell, Roger Heilig, Unknown.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith04
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith05
George Smith on right with "Chick" on left.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith10
Summer maneuvers at Ft. Knox.
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith07
From top left: Laprade Brown, Ray Vadbenbrouke, Unknown, John Cahill. Bottom from left Martin Wasserman, Norm Goodman, Unknown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Larade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Roger Heilig
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith11
Courtesy of the George Smith family
GSmith12
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Courtesy of the George Smith family
B Co.'s tanks and trucks
Courtesy of the George Smith family
Richard Armato and an Unknown member of B Co.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Richard Armato and Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Richard Armato
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Richard Armato
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Jim Bashleben and Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Jim Bashleben, Andrew Hepburn, and Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown in dress uniform
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown policing area outside of barracks.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown in "beep" which were later known as jeeps.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown (on let) and an unknown member of B Company.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown in his dress uniform.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
John Hopple
Courtesy of the Hullihan family
Laprade Brown after ahard day's work.
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Nick Fryziuk in front of 192nd tanks.
Courtesy of the Hullihan family
Craps game
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
From left: Frank Goldstein, Unknown, Unknown,Unknow,, and John Massimino.(without shirt)
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
From left on ground: Bill Hauser, Unknown, Nick Fyziuk (in front), Al Edwards, Laprade Brown (on ground)
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
From left: Matt MacDowell, Jim Bainbridge, Laprade Brown, Norm Goodman, and Bob Peterson
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Laprade Brown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
From top: Unknown, Laprade Brown, and Richard Armato
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
Unknown, John Massimino, Jim Bashleben, Unknown
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
B Co. Tanks at the Louisiana maneuvers.
Maneuvers 2
B Co. is fed while on maneuvers.
Maneuvers Chow
Shaffer Martin
Shaffer Martin
Sleeping Soldiers
Sleeping Soldiers
B Co. Tanks during Louisiana maneuvers.
Courtesy of Orrie Mulholland
Maneuvers 2
Tanks5
Tanks5
Tanks4
Tanks4
Tanks1 Cut
Tanks1 Cut
Tanks Motorcycles
Tanks Motorcycles
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
B Co. with the small alligator they caught on the maneuvers.
Gator
Haorld Lane, Jim Edwards, and Al Edwards on the maneuvers with jeep.
Soldiers
Ralph Shaffer, an unknown member of the tank crew, and Bob Martin during the maneuvers.
Maneuvers1
B Co. eating lunch during the Louisiana maneuvers.
Three Soldiers
Courtesy of Alberta Clayton
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
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
B Co., 192nd heading west to San Francisco in late 1941.
Deployment 1
Deployment 2
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
Members of B Co. pose for this photo with their train as they head west to San Francisco.
Deployment 6
Members of B Company march back toward their train while at a stop in Portola Valley, California.
Deployment 5
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
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 2b
Holland Letter P 3a
Holland Letter P 3a
Holland Letter P 3b