United States Army 2nd Armored Division (Hell on Wheels)

OK, Grove, Headstone Symbols and Meanings, U. S. Army 2nd Armored Division (Hell on Wheels)

U. S. ARMY 2ND ARMORED DIVISION (HELL ON WHEELS) -  The 2nd Armored Division ("Hell on Wheels") was an armored division of the United States Army.  The division played an important role during World War II in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily and the liberation of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands and the invasion of Germany.  During the Cold War, the division was primarily based at Fort Hood, Texas, and had a reinforced brigade forward stationed in West Germany.  After participation in the Persian Gulf War, the division was deactivated in 1995.  Its units were later transferred to the 4th Infantry Division.  

Formed in 1940, the 2nd served in North Africa from November 1942 to May 1943, landed in Sicily in July 1943, and participated in the liberation of France from June 1944 to the end of the war.  The 2nd Armored Division was formed at Fort Benning, Georgia on July 15, 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.

Casualties

  • Total battle casualties: 5,864
  • Killed in action: 981
  • Wounded in action: 4,557
  • Missing in action: 60
  • Prisoner of war: 266

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OK, Grove, Headstone Symbols and Meanings, U. S. Army 2nd Armored Division