Recreating History

20th Armored Division

World War II

Activated: 15 March 1943.

Overseas: 6 February 1945.

Campaigns: Central Europe.

Days of combat: 8.

Distinguished Unit Citations: 5.

Awards: DSM-1 ; SS-31,; LM1; 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

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

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

Shoulder patch: Same as the 1st Armored, but with the number “20” in the upper portion of the triangle. Association: 20th Armored Division Association, c/o Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, Wis. (Mr. Krus B. Gilbertson, secretary-treasurer). Publication: History of the 20th Armored Division; by Col. W. E. Leonhard, Unit Historian; Albert Love Enterprises, Atlanta 2, Ga.; 1947.