78th Heavy Tank Battalion

Unit Casualty List By Last Name

Unit Casualty List By Date

Army BBS

Legacy Messages - 1995-1999

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Ron Tully wrote on February 24, 2023

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Comments: From the 24th War Diary here at KWP.
Co. A 78th Heavy Tank Bn. records, signed by Capt. Robert L. Beziat, C.O. pages 561 & 549 of 586.
9Jul-10Jul 1950 1400hrs enemy counterattack spearheaded by 2, T-34 tanks (North Korean) hit our infantry positions 500 yds north (of us). 2 (US) tanks, 1st platoon engaged enemy tanks w/o success. M/Sgt Glaze, platoon Sgt distinguished himself when he dismounted (from his tank) & knocked out both T-34s with 2.36 rocket launcher from an extremely close range.

Keywords: A Company in Action 9-10 July 1950

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Patrick Hammes wrote on May 8, 2022

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City and State: BROWNSVILLE ISD TX

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Comments: Anthony Lansome, my dad was Lt. Norman W. Hammes who served in Company A 24th Infantry Division 78th Heavy Armor Battalion. He was part of the initial group who were sent in at the beginning of the Korean War.
Dad passed away June of 2002. He was career army and a tanker at heart. if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Keywords: 24th Infantry Lt. Norman Hammes, Anthony Lansome

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Miranda Bailey wrote on November 5, 2020

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City and State: MEADVILLE PA

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Comments: Hi, I am looking for any information on my Great Uncle Raymond Bailey. He served from 53 to 55 and was in Korea. I believe he said he was in the 78th tank division but I have only found a 78th Heavy Tank Battalion. I appreciate and help you can give me. Thank you.

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Mark Gosbeth wrote on March 8, 2019

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City and State: MONROE MI

Unit: MING

Service or Relationship: Army

Comments: Hello,
I am looking on information on my Uncle. He served in Korea. His name is Louis Kujawa, He was a SSG and a tank commander to my knowledge. I am not sure if he served with a Heavy or Medium Tank unit. When he passed away a few years ago we were unable to locate any of his service items. If anyone is able to help I would appreciate it. I am a retired Iraq veteran. This would add to our family history. Thank you.

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Don Drennon wrote on May 28, 2015

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City and State: SC

Unit: 78TH HEAVY TANK BATTALION

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Dad (M/Sgt F.E. Drennon) was in the 78th and shipped over with Task Force Smith in July, 1950. He told me TF Smith went forward while they arranged for flatcars to move the tanks forward. I'm sorry I can't add much but I know he was wounded twice in July: Once when his tank was destroyed and again a few days later fighting as infantry. He was evacuated to Japan and when he recovered he was reassigned to the 8th Army NCO Club in Tokyo-which I believe was called the 'Seaside Club.

As I find more information I will share it: Dad passed in 2005.

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Larry Hammes wrote on August 4, 2013

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Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father, Norman W. Hammes, was a platoon leader in Company A,

78th Heavy Tank Battalion. His was the first tank unit to land

in South Korea in early July 1950.







When they entered combat somewhere south of Osan, covering the

withdrawal, they had no armor piercing or HE ammunition for

their main guns, only practice rounds, which fragmented well for

anti-personnel use, but were hopeless against the North Korean T-

34 tanks. They could only hope for a lucky shot to knock off a

track or jam the turret ring of the T-34s. The M-24's were so

lightly armored that when they returned to the lager to re-arm,

they used tent pegs to plug the holes in the sides of the

turrets where they'd been hit by NK anti-tank rifles.







Their M-24's didn't last long against the T-34's. They had all

been destroyed within a couple of months and the battalion was

disbanded, re-equipped, I believe with M-4's, and remade into a

recon unit, according to what I've read.







Dad was evacuated stateside with a serious knee injury incurred

while he and one of his sergeants were carrying another wounded

tanker on a litter across a hillside somewhere south of Taejon.







Dad passed in June 2002. He and I searched for information about

members of his unit back in 2000 and found some 24th Inf. Div.

history and a casualty list from July 1950, where he recognized

too many of his company members.







I had the good fortune to be stationed in South Korea, in

Taejon, in 1970-71, at the same time that Dad, then a Colonel,

was in 8th Army (U.N Command)J-2 in Seoul. His service made me

a hero among the Korean military in Taejon. Apparently Dad was

the last American officer to see General Dean before the

general's capture in Taejon.







Dad came down to visit me in Taejon, and we took one of my jeeps

up the old highway to the Kum river, which brought back to him a

flood of memories, many of which he shared with me. I'm sure

that there many other memories he did not share as they had

haunted him for years after that conflict.







God Bless you,







Larry Hammes

Keywords: M-24 Chaffee light tank, A Co 78th Heavy Tank Battalion, July

1950, General Dean

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James T. Miller wrote on July 13, 2012

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City and State: HATHECHUBBEE AL

Unit: CO A 78TH HV BN, 24 ID, 1950

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: I was a new warrant office the Co A in Japan and
Korea. Last until Aug 11 with the g--ks caught or CP
with some very nasty artillery fire. Would like to
hear from any one.

Keywords: First tank bn in Korea, 1950

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Roger h. Covert wrote on November 20, 2011

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City and State: NORTHPORT MI

Unit: CO A 78TH HEAVE TANK BN 24 ID

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: No additional remarks added sense my last so I have the feeling
there are few to none of us left and my time here is running short. I
just want anyone finding this unit info to know it was a fine unit with
great men within it. Good soldiers and damn good Tankers. We will
all meet again one day. Not that I count for much but want them to
all know that they have all my respect. The 78th Tank 24th ID was
and will always be a fine fine fighting unit. God Bless Us All.

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Roger H. Covert wrote on March 1, 2011

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City and State: NORTHPORT MI

Unit: 78TH HV AND MED TANK. CO. A

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: Added info found in another section:
Fields, George D. KIA. 7-16-50

Tacke, Harold G. KIA. 7-16-50

Plummer, Harry R. DOW from 7-16-50

All good men and respected by all. Good tankers.

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Roger H. Covert wrote on February 25, 2011

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City and State: NORTHPORT MI

Unit: CO A 78TH HV-MED TANK BN

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: Time has not been good to me in remembering names, dates and
places. I was the supply sgt iin Yamaguchi and Korea . I remember
Capt Thomas in Japan, Lt. C.R. Davis, Sgt PA Pa Rhen, Herino and
that's about it . H.Tacky also. Anyway, the 78th was one hell of a
fine unit and one of the best I served in. God Bless the 78th and the
men who served within, past and present.

Keywords: We were the only company to make up the Bn.in Osuki
Japan,moved to Yamaguchi Japan and then the first Tanks into the
Korean mess with our M24s. Lost the M 24s, rearmed with M4s and
call a Medium tk Bn. Later we became Tank Company 21st Inf
Regt. Sometime in early 51 or 52 we were busted up, many went to
6th Tank and many of us stayed with the 21st Inf.

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Teresa Davis wrote on August 29, 2007

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City and State: MUSKOGEE OK

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: Hey Guys! Back in the 1990's I bought out an estate here in Muskogee from William Alden Burke. He was Captain William A. Burke 046646, Armor, United States Army, Commanding Officer, Company A,78th Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He recieved a Bronze metal in 1950 for his service in Korea. Anyway's maybe some of you knew him, or know of him. I have all his letters from his Mother and his letters to her. Hundreds. Also, with Pictures of Men that he served with. He was sent to war right out of the Oklahoma Military Academy at a very young age. I met him when he was in his 80's. I am sure he has passed by now , because this was over 15 years ago. There are many letters and details of what went on during the Korean War and when he was in France.
If you would like to see one of the wonderful letters that his Mom wrote him in 1944 let me know, it is a real tear jerker. He had wrote her about being afraid, the letter that she wrote him, is a must read. I saw some names posted above of men you guys are looking for. I will look in these photo albums to see if any of them are in there.
He retired as a Brigadier General.

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Lewis Kappler wrote on January 21, 2002

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City and State: LOUISVILLE OH

Unit: A COMPANY 78TH TANK BN 24TH DIV

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am interest in talking to anyone in this unit during the Korean War.

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Anthony Lasome wrote on July 30, 2000

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City and State: METAIRIE LA

Unit: 24TH DIVISION, COMPANY A, 78TH TANK BATTALION

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: I am interested in getting in contact with anyone from 24th Division, Company A, 78th Tank Battalion. Went to Korea in May 1950, was in tank battle with Russian T34 with 85 nn cannon until tank was knocked out. Was moved to co.A. we were dug in on riverbank. Am looking for PFC Robert Davenport, Lt. Norman Hammer, Cpl Harry Mayors, Prvt. Steve Logan, PFC William Hobbs.

Outfit lost light tanks, and was broken up into 6th armored tank division with heavy tanks. Came home with first group to come home on May 8,1951. Went to Fort Sills, OK. Was discharged May 1, 1952. Sure would like to hear from any one that was in his co. in Japan or Korea.

Keywords: Am looking for PFC Robert Davenport, Lt. Norman Hammer, Cpl Harry Mayors, Prvt. Steve Logan, PFC William Hobbs, or any one else in the 24th Division, Company A, 78th Tank Battalion.

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Commodore Jacobson wrote on November 5, 1999

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City and State:

Unit: 78TH TANK BN

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Comments: I was in the 78th. Tank Battalion, 24th. Division. I was stationed in Japan at the start of the war. One of the first units sent to Korea. Was wounded in action July, 1950 North of Tajon.

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Gail (Alex) Alexander wrote on November 20, 1998

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City and State: GLENDALE AZ

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Comments: TRYING TO LOCATE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE 78TH HEAVY TANK

BN

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