doyler Posted September 19, 2019 Share #1 Posted September 19, 2019 74 years later Clarence Smoyer,96 is awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in WW2. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-tank-crew-receives-medals-for-valor-74-years-after-gripping-duel/ar-AAHuQre?ocid=spartandhp Footage of the Battle https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cologne+tank+duel&view=detail&mid=4E18B20C4B58FCEC7C184E18B20C4B58FCEC7C18&FORM=VIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted September 19, 2019 Share #2 Posted September 19, 2019 Thanks for posting this Ron. What a coincidence that Andy Rooney was there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted September 19, 2019 Thanks for posting this Ron. What a coincidence that Andy Rooney was there. Agree.I had read or heard of Rooney being there before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted September 19, 2019 Share #4 Posted September 19, 2019 Had the pleasure of meeting Clarence and Adam at a pre opening event at The American Heritage Museum at a book signing last December. Truly a very humble and nice man. Highly recommend the book and museum in Stowe Massachusetts. Thank u for posting this Ron. Super nice fellow w an amazing story. Congrats to he and crew for getting this long over due award Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted September 19, 2019 Had the pleasure of meeting Clarence and Adam at a pre opening event at The American Heritage Museum at a book signing last December. Truly a very humble and nice man. Highly recommend the book and museum in Stowe Massachusetts. Thank u for posting this Ron. Super nice fellow w an amazing story. Congrats to he and crew for getting this long over due award Thats great you got to actually meet Clarence and Adam....an opportunity that doesn't come along very often.I wont forget this past summer when I met Herschel "Woody Williams" at a monument dedication here this past summer.I know he does some of the shows like the SOS but this was a small venue on Fathers Day (of all days) and he and his grandson were here to dedicate one of 3 recent monuments for the Gold Star Families in our state.The dedication and service these men did and still do speaks volumes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted September 19, 2019 Share #6 Posted September 19, 2019 Great post Ron! I have seen the tank battle many times, but not knowing the story behind it. It truly shows tank warfare at its worse. The inferior tanks we sent into battle were horrible. Crew men didn't stand a chance but went anyway. Until close to the end of the war did we have a chance with tanks with 90mm guns and heavier armor. That could take on the much superior German tanks. God bless them all for they sacrificed and gave all. RIP to the ones who died that day and the ones who came home to suffer on. The Bronze Star should have been a Silver Star. Remember my friends, War is nothing to glorify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted September 19, 2019 Great post Ron! I have seen the tank battle many times, but not knowing the story behind it. It truly shows tank warfare at its worse. The inferior tanks we sent into battle were horrible. Crew men didn't stand a chance but went anyway. Until close to the end of the war did we have a chance with tanks with 90mm guns and heavier armor. That could take on the much superior German tanks. God bless them all for they sacrificed and gave all. RIP to the ones who died that day and the ones who came home to suffer on. The Bronze Star should have been a Silver Star. Remember my friends, War is nothing to glorify. Met a local enlisted man here once when he contacted me about a couple "knives" he brought back.He invited me to come look at the items.When at his home he had two daggers and a dress bayonet on the kitchen table.We spoke about the items and I noticed a duffle bag on the floor.I asked if I could look at it so he picked it up and dumped out the contents on the kitchen floor.There was his four pocket uniform and a Silver Star Medal which fell out loose on the floor as well.I saw by the insignia he had been with the tank destroyer forces.I asked about the Silver Star and what it was awarded for.All he said that it was just a long time ago.Never did say what he did to receive the medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted September 21, 2019 Share #8 Posted September 21, 2019 Its sad Ron, but as we all know, that much history goes untold with the ones who had to endure and live through it. God Bless them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted September 21, 2019 Share #9 Posted September 21, 2019 Thanks for posting this Ron. I have seen that footage a good number of times, incredulous that it even existed. Good to see these men get recognized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now