4th Battalion, 64th Armor
Encyclopedia
The 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, commonly written as 4–64 Armor, was a US Army
armor battalion, finally assigned to the 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The unit served in Operation Desert Storm
, and served three tours in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion's symbol is the African Elephant, symbolic of the unit's history as an all-black unit and symbolic of the modern role of tanks. In reference to this symbolism, the unit and its soldiers are referred to as the "Tuskers".
The battalion was deactivated in March 2009.
The 758th was the first tank battalion in history to be organized with black soldiers. A 758th soldier designed the regimental crest—the rampant head of a black African elephant symbolizing the soldier's pride in their heritage and their unit's mission of mobile armored warfare
.
In 1949, the 758th Tank Battalion was redesignated the 64th Heavy Tank Battalion and assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. In 1950, the 64th Tank Battalion was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, and deployed overseas for combat operations during the Korean War. In 1957, the 64th Tank Battalion was inactivated at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In 1963, the 64th Armor was activated as a parent regiment under the Combined Arms Regimental System. All four battalions of the 64th Armor were in Germany for over twenty years of distinguished service. In 1984, the 1st and the 4th Battalions, 64th Armor, redeployed from Germany to Fort Stewart, GA, while the 2nd and 3rd remained in Germany. The 1st Battalion is the 64th Regimental Headquarters and Fort Stewart is the home base.
at Fort Irwin, CA.
In 2002, the battalion deployed with 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division to Kuwait for Operation Desert Spring. As one of the most acclimated units to a desert environment, 4–64 led the Third Infantry Division into Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. The Tuskers were the first unit into the International Zone
of Baghdad in April 2003, and helped establish security in the heart of the capital. In June 2003, the unit moved to Habanyiah, Iraq (between Fallujah and Ramadi in Al-Anbar province), and provided security there before redeploying to Fort Stewart in August 2003.
In 2004, the Tuskers were reassigned to the new 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. They transitioned from a four-company to a seven-company structure, exchanging the former Bravo Company (Armor) to 3–7 Infantry, gaining Bravo 3–7 Infantry and B-10 Engineer, redesignating Alpha Company (Armor) as Delta Company (Armor), and dividing HHC into an FSC and HHC. In November 2004, 4–64 Armor deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center
for the first time, to prepare for a second deployment to Iraq.
The battalion's second deployment was to FOB Prosperity
in the International Zone
of Baghdad. The unit had responsibility for all security within the International Zone
, and certain neighborhoods in the vicinity. C Co was cross attached to 1/184th IN (AA) at FOB Falcon. They were responsible for one of the worst sectors in Iraq at the time. C Co suffered many losses and injured Soldiers but managed to reduce the insurgent threat. The battalion redeployed to the US in January 2006.
In October 2007 the battalion deployed once again to Iraq. During this deployment the battalion was positioned at FOB Falcon
, Baghdad, Iraq. The Battalion had the daunting task of clearing and securing the greater portion of West Rashid in southwest Baghdad.
In March 2009, the Battalion was deactivated and re-flagged as 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment as the 4th Brigade Combat Team was reorganised from a Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) to an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
armor battalion, finally assigned to the 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The unit served in Operation Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, and served three tours in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion's symbol is the African Elephant, symbolic of the unit's history as an all-black unit and symbolic of the modern role of tanks. In reference to this symbolism, the unit and its soldiers are referred to as the "Tuskers".
The battalion was deactivated in March 2009.
Lineage
The 64th Armor Regiment is descended from the 78th Tank Battalion which was activated on 13 January 1941, and redesignated the 758th Tank Battalion (Light) on 8 May 1941. The 758th Tank Battalion served with the 92nd Infantry Division in World War II, and was inactivated 22 September 1945 at Viareggio, Italy.The 758th was the first tank battalion in history to be organized with black soldiers. A 758th soldier designed the regimental crest—the rampant head of a black African elephant symbolizing the soldier's pride in their heritage and their unit's mission of mobile armored warfare
Armoured warfare
Armoured warfare or tank warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of war....
.
In 1949, the 758th Tank Battalion was redesignated the 64th Heavy Tank Battalion and assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. In 1950, the 64th Tank Battalion was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, and deployed overseas for combat operations during the Korean War. In 1957, the 64th Tank Battalion was inactivated at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In 1963, the 64th Armor was activated as a parent regiment under the Combined Arms Regimental System. All four battalions of the 64th Armor were in Germany for over twenty years of distinguished service. In 1984, the 1st and the 4th Battalions, 64th Armor, redeployed from Germany to Fort Stewart, GA, while the 2nd and 3rd remained in Germany. The 1st Battalion is the 64th Regimental Headquarters and Fort Stewart is the home base.
Modern history
In 1991, the battalion deployed to Kuwait under the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), in support of Operation Desert Storm. Through the 1990s, the battalion was deployed to Bosnia, and conducted numerous rotations through the National Training CenterFort Irwin Military Reservation
Fort Irwin & the National Training Center is a major training area for the United States Military and is a census-designated place located in the Mojave Desert in northern San Bernardino County, California. Fort Irwin sits at an elevation of . The 2010 United States census reported Fort Irwin's...
at Fort Irwin, CA.
In 2002, the battalion deployed with 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division to Kuwait for Operation Desert Spring. As one of the most acclimated units to a desert environment, 4–64 led the Third Infantry Division into Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. The Tuskers were the first unit into the International Zone
International zone
An international zone is a type of extraterritoriality governed by international law, or similar treaty between two or more nations. They can be found within international airports and can contain duty free shopping. In areas of conflict there may be international zones called green zones that form...
of Baghdad in April 2003, and helped establish security in the heart of the capital. In June 2003, the unit moved to Habanyiah, Iraq (between Fallujah and Ramadi in Al-Anbar province), and provided security there before redeploying to Fort Stewart in August 2003.
In 2004, the Tuskers were reassigned to the new 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. They transitioned from a four-company to a seven-company structure, exchanging the former Bravo Company (Armor) to 3–7 Infantry, gaining Bravo 3–7 Infantry and B-10 Engineer, redesignating Alpha Company (Armor) as Delta Company (Armor), and dividing HHC into an FSC and HHC. In November 2004, 4–64 Armor deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center
Fort Polk
Fort Polk is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, approximately 7 miles east of Leesville, Louisiana and 20 miles north of DeRidder, Louisiana....
for the first time, to prepare for a second deployment to Iraq.
The battalion's second deployment was to FOB Prosperity
Al Salam Palace (Baghdad, Iraq)
The as-Salam Palace, previously a home of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, is now the National Guard's HQ.-History:As-Salam Palace was taken over by US coalition forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The palace was significantly damaged during the "Shock and Awe" campaign, when it...
in the International Zone
International zone
An international zone is a type of extraterritoriality governed by international law, or similar treaty between two or more nations. They can be found within international airports and can contain duty free shopping. In areas of conflict there may be international zones called green zones that form...
of Baghdad. The unit had responsibility for all security within the International Zone
International zone
An international zone is a type of extraterritoriality governed by international law, or similar treaty between two or more nations. They can be found within international airports and can contain duty free shopping. In areas of conflict there may be international zones called green zones that form...
, and certain neighborhoods in the vicinity. C Co was cross attached to 1/184th IN (AA) at FOB Falcon. They were responsible for one of the worst sectors in Iraq at the time. C Co suffered many losses and injured Soldiers but managed to reduce the insurgent threat. The battalion redeployed to the US in January 2006.
In October 2007 the battalion deployed once again to Iraq. During this deployment the battalion was positioned at FOB Falcon
Forward Operating Base Falcon
Forward Operating Base Falcon, referred to by some media sources as Camp Falcon, is a United States military forward operating base in Iraq a short distance outside of Baghdad, some south of the Green Zone. For a time it was designated as "Camp Ferrin-Huggins"...
, Baghdad, Iraq. The Battalion had the daunting task of clearing and securing the greater portion of West Rashid in southwest Baghdad.
In March 2009, the Battalion was deactivated and re-flagged as 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment as the 4th Brigade Combat Team was reorganised from a Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) to an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).
Current Organization
- Headquarters Company
- Alpha Company (Infantry)
- Bravo Company (Infantry)
- Charlie Company (Armor)
- Delta Company (Armor)
- Echo Company (Combat Engineer)
- Forward Support Company
Past Commanders
- LTC Phillip deCamp 2001–2003
- LTC Robert M. Roth 2003–2006
- LTC Johnnie L. Johnson JR 2006–2009