[Webmaster Note: The following division information is reproduced
from the public domain publication, The Army Almanac: A Book of
Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office,
1950. Portions of the information may be out of date. Only minor formatting changes and
typographical corrections have been made.]
World War II
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Activated: 15 March 1943.
Overseas: 6 February 1945.
Campaigns: Central Europe.
Days of combat: 8.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 5.
Awards: DSM-1; SS-31; LM-1; SM-10; BSM-128.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Henry (February-October 1943),
Maj. Gen. Roderick R. Allen (October 1943-September 1944),
Maj. Gen. Orlando Ward (September 1944-August 1945),
Maj. Gen. John W. Leonard (August 1945 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 2 August 1945.
Inactivated: 2 April 1946.
Combat Chronicle
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The 20th Armored Division arrived at Le Havre, France, 16 February 1945. After
training at Buchy, it moved through, Belgium to Langendernbach, Germany, 10 April. At
Marktbreit, the Division was attached to the III Corps; 20 April. Three days later, it
was detached and reassigned to the XV Corps, Seventh Army, at Wurzburg,
Germany. Elements of the Division first saw action as Task Force Campbell
when a false surrender by the enemy resulted in fighting in the town of
Dorf, 25 April. The Division assembled near Deiningen and reconnoitered
for routes to the Danube. The Danube was crossed, 28 April, the 20th meeting
sporadic resistance. Elements seized the bridge over the Paar River at
Schrobenhausen and secured crossings over the Ilm River. The 20th attacked
Munich, 29 April, smashing the fanatical opposition of the SS barracks and
Antitank School, and capturing the city the next day. The Division crossed
the Inn River at Wasserburg, 3 May, entered Traunstein, 4 May, and was moving
toward Salzburg when it received word that hostilities would cease in Europe.
Assignments in the ETO
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29 January 1945: Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group. // 3 April 1945: XXII Corps. //
7 April 1945: Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group, but attached to First
Army, 12th Army Group. // 12 April 1945: First Army, 12th Army Group. //
19 April 1945: III Corps, Third Army, 12th Army Group. //
23 April 1945: XV Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
General
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Shoulder patch: Same as the 1st Armored, but with the number "20" in the
upper portion of the triangle.
Publication: History of the 20th Armored Division; by Col. W. E. Leonhard, Unit
Historian; Albert Love Enterprises, Atlanta, Ga.; 1947.
• 20th Armored Division Links
• 20th Armored Division Components
• 20th Armored Division Medal of Honor Recipients
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• 20th Armored Division Videos
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