The Fourth Armored Division Combat Chronology: Patton’s Vanguard in World War II

The leading elements of the Fourth Armored Division came ashore at Normandy on July 10, 1944. During the next ten months, the Fourth earned a reputation as the premier armored division in the U.S. Army. Serving as Patton’s vanguard, the Fourth led the breakout and pursuit across France; set the gold standard for American armor during the tank battles near Arracourt; fought mightily against stubborn resistance during Patton’s November offensive; spearheaded the Third Army attack during the Battle of the Bulge to relieve Bastogne; and then, with unparalleled vigor, fought across Germany before entering Czechoslovakia during the final days of the war. Based heavily on primary sources, including official unit after-action reports and diaries, personal memoirs, and veteran interviews conducted by the author, this chronology of the United States Army Fourth Armored Division presents its history day by day, from the top down to the bottom up. This carefully assembled work presents in full glory the men whose brave deeds earned the Fourth Armored the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation.

Don M. Fox serves on the Board of Directors of the Army Historical Foundation and resides in Jacksonville, Florida.