Military Officer - February 2006 - (Page 65) name a few, pressed the Roosevelt administration for black combat troops. Though the Selective Service Act of 1940 stated there would be no discrimination based on race or color, within three months the White House said “the service of Negroes will be utilized on a fair and equitable basis.” Segregation was alive and well, and a handful of all-black units (save for the few white officers in each unit) was formed, among them the 5th Tank Group with the 758th, 761st, and 784th tank battalions. The 761st had been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation in 1978 for its astounding World War II combat record. Surely by now everyone knew blacks had fought (with distinction!) in the war. desirable areas of the camp. They had to contend with racial tensions on and off base. On July 4, 1943, then-executive officer of the 761st, Lt. Col. Paul L. Bates, assumed command. Bates was a superb leader. He challenged his men and encouraged them to excel. He remained with the unit until November 1945 and was absent only due to wounds received in action. Though ridiculed by other white officers, Bates remained loyal to his men — and they to him. Come out fighting The 761st was activated April 1, 1942, and initially trained at Camp Claiborne near Alexandria, La. Its members were greeted by substandard living conditions, housed in the least An M-4 Sherman tank crew heads for Nancy, France, in 1944 (previous spread). A machine gunner peers out of his tank in Nancy (left). A break in the action provides a good time for pulling maintenance (above). PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES In September 1943, the Panthers moved to Camp Hood, Texas. There most of the battalion left the light, M-5 Stuart tank and moved to the M-4 medium Sherman tank. For the year they were at Camp Hood, the Panthers were the aggressor tanks for the tank destroyer units and worked to give those units the best possible combat training. Consistently the 761st outmaneuvered and defeated other units. It was the Panthers’ superior tactical proficiency and genuine pride in their accomplishments that led to their cockiness — real or perceived. This expertise and confidence proved crucial to their combat lethality. While at Camp Hood, the battalion came up with the ferocious black panther as its insignia. Its motto, “Come out fighting,” was adopted from boxer Joe Louis. When asked how he planned to fight German Max Schmeling in 1938, Louis responded, “I am going to come out fighting.” The Panthers’ superior ratings at Camp Hood did not go unnoticed. FEBRUARY 2006 MILITARY OFFICER 65
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