Death Before Dismount! The US Army Armor Divisions Don’t Tread Lightly In Combat nor should they when these beasts of steel and blood cut through the enemy like a hot knife through butter along with a 105mm rifled gun.
DEATH BEFORE DISMOUNT –
DBD. Maybe the most quoted phrase among tankers since their inception. Never give up the tank, leave it, abandon it. It is home, it is your life and and it is there to protect and attack as needed, piercing through enemy lines.
ARMOR QUOTES.
The Beast Of War –
“Out of commission, become a pillbox. Out of ammo, become a bunker. Out of time, become heroes.”
“Because You Are Tankers!”
Fury – The Movie
Norman Ellison: I’ve never even seen the inside of a tank. I’m a clerk typist. Was heading to Fifth Corps HQ, and they pulled me off the truck. They sent me here. It’s gotta be a mistake.
Grady ‘Coon-Ass’ Travis: Mistake? Army don’t make mistakes. It wouldn’t do.
Tank – The Movie
Reporter: Why would anyone want to own a Sherman tank?
Zack: Because it’s very hard to shoot yourself while you’re cleaning it.
WHAT IS THE ABRAMS?
The M1 Abrams is an American third-generation main battle tank. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army chief of staff, commander of United States military forces in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972, and a tank commander during World War II. Highly mobile, designed for modern armored ground warfare, the M1 is well armed and heavily armored. Notable features include the use of a powerful multifuelturbine engine, the adoption of sophisticated composite armor, and separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety. Weighing nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service.
The M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, ultimately replacing the M60 tank. The M1 remains the principal main battle tank of the United States Army and Marine Corps, and the armies of Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Iraq.
Three main versions of the M1 Abrams have been deployed, the M1, M1A1, and M1A2, incorporating improved armament, protection, and electronics. These improvements and other upgrades to in-service tanks have allowed this long-serving vehicle to remain in front-line service. In addition, development for the improved M1A3 version was reported in 2009. (Source – Wikipedia)
OLD IRONSIDES
The 1st Armored Division of the United states Army, headquartered in Fort Bliss, has been for decades looked upon as one of the hardest hitting, elite and downright kick ass Armored Division in the US military. The division was nicknamed “Old Ironsides”, by its first commander, Major General Bruce R. Magruder, after he saw a picture of the frigate USS Constitution, which is also nicknamed “Old Ironsides”. The large “1” at the top represents the numerical designation of the division, and the insignia is used as a basis for most other sub-unit insignias. (Source – Wikipedia)
HELL ON WHEELS
The 2nd Armored Division was formed at Fort Benning, Georgia on 15 July 1940. It was originally commanded by Major General Charles L. Scott, with Colonel George S. Patton, Jr. in charge of training. Scott was promoted to command the I Armored Corps in November of that year, which put Patton, now a brigadier general, in command of the division. The division, which in February 1942 passed over to the command of Major General Willis D. Crittenberger, served with the First, Seventh, and Ninth Armies throughout the war.
SPEARHEAD
The 3rd Armored Division (“Spearhead”) was an armored division of the United States Army. Unofficially nicknamed the “Third Herd”, the division was first activated in 1941, and was active in the European Theaterof World War II. The division was stationed in West Germany for much of the Cold War, and participated in the Persian Gulf War. On 17 January 1992, in Germany, the division ceased operations. In October 1992, it was formally inactivated as part of a general drawing down of forces at the end of the Cold War.
US ARMY ARMOUR
The United States Army and its amazing Armor units have been at the heart of the United States Army going back to World War 2. From the development of the Sherman tank tot he M1A1 Abrams the technology and lethal ability of the US Army main battle tank has gained tremendous ground over the years. The courage and commitment of a US Army tanker knows no defeat and above all things it has always been Death Before Dismount!
