CW2 Lafayette G. Pool US Tank Ace of Aces

LTC Bink Romanick — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:05:53 -0400

The inspiration for War Daddy in "Fury".

Lafayette G. Pool (July 23, 1919 – May 30, 1991) was an American tank-crew and tank-platoon commander in World War II and is widely recognized as the US tank ace of aces[1][page needed], credited with over 1,000 kills, 250 German prisoners of war taken, 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 total armoured vehicle and self-propelled gun kills.[2] All of which took place in a combat career that covered only 81 days in action from 27 June to 15 September 1944 with three different Shermans.[3] He received many medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Fourragère, and the Légion d'honneuryette G. Pool (July 23, 1919 – May 30, 1991) was an American tank-crew and tank-platoon commander in World War II and is widely recognized as the US tank ace of aces[1][page needed], credited with over 1,000 kills, 250 German prisoners of war taken, 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 total armoured vehicle and self-propelled gun kills. All of which took place in a combat career that covered only 81 days in action from 27 June to 15 September 1944 with three different Shermans.He received many medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Fourragère, and the Légion d'honneur

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 20 at 2015 8:07 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:07:37 -0400

A true tanker's tanker

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 8:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:10:02 -0400

Another outstanding Texan, retiring from Fort Sam Houston. He even stayed in and served with a prosthetic until his retirement.

Pool served with Combat Command A (CCA) of the US 3rd Armored Division in France between June and September 1944. He successively commanded three Sherman tanks, an M4A1, and two M4A1(76)Ws, all of which bore the nickname "IN THE MOOD" I-III. The first lasted from 23 June until 29 June, when CCA attacked for the first time at Villiers-Fossard. Pool's M4A1 was hit by a Panzerfaust causing him and his crew to bail out of the stricken tank. The second lasted from around 1 July 1944 to 17 August, when Pool was leading CCA in the process of clearing remaining German forces from the village of Fromental.[5] This tank was knocked out by friendly fire of a P-38. The third and last was destroyed on the night of 15 September while CCA was attempting to force the Siegfried Line at Munsterbusch, southwest of Aachen. The tank was hit by an ambushing Panther, and while Pool was trying to back his damaged Sherman up, the Panther hit it a second time. The second round caught the tank on the edge of a ditch and flipped it over. The same round blew Pool out of the commander's hatch, seriously slashing open one of his legs with a shell splinter. The leg was so badly mangled that it had to be amputated. As a result Pool would not return to amateur boxing after the war.[3] He kept the same crew throughout the war, with CPL Wilbert "Red" Richards as the driver, PFC Bert Close as the assistant driver and bow gunner, CPL Willis Oiler as the gunner and T/5 Del Boggs as loader.[6]

After 22 months of rehabilitation and being fitted with a prosthesis, Pool opened a filling station and garage at his home in Sinton, Texas, followed by several other businesses, before he enlisted in the Army and was sent into the Transportation Corps. With the intervention of General Allen, he finally managed to "come home" to the 3rd Armored Division where he would be an instructor in automotive mechanics.[7] He retired from the Army on September 19, 1960 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Second Class at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Afterwards he went to business college, followed by a job as a preacher for $25.00 a week. He also coached little league.[8]

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 20 at 2015 9:40 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:40:47 -0400

Best job he ever had. Greatest Generation tank ace respect!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 20 at 2015 9:45 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 21:45:36 -0400

....and very humble.

Response by Capt Lance Gallardo made Jul 20 at 2015 10:25 PM

Capt Lance Gallardo — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 22:25:05 -0400

The "Audie Murphy" of Tankers, Huh?

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 20 at 2015 11:43 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 23:43:17 -0400

Awesome story and I'm glad you posted this.