628th TANK DESTROYER BN - THEATER MADE

[firefighter]

Nice German made DI.

 

[Patchcollector]

Cool design,looks like a Caiman.

 

They disembarked at Utah Beach on 30 July 1944

[firefighter]

Cool design,looks like a Caiman.

 

They disembarked at Utah Beach on 30 July 1944

 

Thanks PC. I don't remember if its a Caiman or Gator.Even with the small chip I still like it.

[MBS]

Nice DI firefighter; officially it is a crocodile.

The 628th started out as a tank destroyer battalion in 1941. In 1942 they were allotted to the Pa National Guard and inactivated in 1945. By 1949 they were redesignated a heavy tank battalion. September 1950 the unit found itself reorganized and redesignated a medium tank battalion. Then in 1959 they were relieved from the 28th division and consolidated with the 103rd armor, a parent regiment under CARS.

This particular DI could have also been worn by the 103rd too.

Brent

[firefighter]

Nice DI firefighter; officially it is a crocodile.

 

The 628th started out as a tank destroyer battalion in 1941. In 1942 they were allotted to the Pa National Guard and inactivated in 1945. By 1949 they were redesignated a heavy tank battalion. September 1950 the unit found itself reorganized and redesignated a medium tank battalion. Then in 1959 they were relieved from the 28th division and consolidated with the 103rd armor, a parent regiment under CARS.

 

This particular DI could have also been worn by the 103rd too.

 

Brent

 

Thank you Brent. I remember thinking that when I looked it up in Sawiski's book. But there was a 4 year difference between deactivation and reactivation as a PA NG unit. So I am fairly certain it is the Tank Destroyer designation as I doubt a NG unit that never went to Germany after the war would have it made there.

[MBS]

Thank you Brent. I remember thinking that when I looked it up in Sawiski's book. But there was a 4 year difference between deactivation and reactivation as a PA NG unit. So I am fairly certain it is the Tank Destroyer designation as I doubt a NG unit that never went to Germany after the war would have it made there.

 

 

In November 1951, the battalion left the US for Germany for service in the Korean War. The battalion was moved several times in Germany but did most of its tour in Leipheim, Germany.

 

In my opinion, I think it would be highly plausible for a soldier that was in the 628th when it was consolidated with the 103rd to still retain the DI he had received in Germany to continue to wear it while in the 103rd. Also the possibility exists that some of the soldiers who served in the 628th in Germany maintained their contacts in that country for having insignia made in later years.

 

Brent

[firefighter]

 

 

In November 1951, the battalion left the US for Germany for service in the Korean War. The battalion was moved several times in Germany but did most of its tour in Leipheim, Germany.

 

In my opinion, I think it would be highly plausible for a soldier that was in the 628th when it was consolidated with the 103rd to still retain the DI he had received in Germany to continue to wear it while in the 103rd. Also the possibility exists that some of the soldiers who served in the 628th in Germany maintained their contacts in that country for having insignia made in later years.

 

Brent

 

Thats interesting.Thank you for the information. I didn't see anything were they where deployed overseas after the war.

[heftaa01]

I purchased a large lot a while back from a 628th Soldier stationed in Germany in the early 1950's. The lot had 3 very DI's, one of which was very similar to this. i think they are very distinctive as the design is cut into the badge not applied. I would guess this dates to that time.

[heftaa01]

pics

[firefighter]

pics

 

Thats very cool. Can we please see a close up of the di, front & back?

[heftaa01]

front

[heftaa01]

backs

[firefighter]

Thank you for the images. Yours are different than mine, not just the backs.The paint is different and the detail in the Croc & fish, mine looks to have more detail. I'm still thinking mine is just post war, but could be wrong.