| U.S. 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment | |
|---|---|
64th Armor Regimental Distinctive Unit Insignia |
|
| Active | 1949–2009 |
| Country | USA |
| Branch | Regular Army |
| Type | Battalion |
| Role | Mechanized Infantry |
| Part of | 3rd Infantry Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Stewart |
| Nickname | Tuskers |
| Motto | "We Pierce" |
| Engagements | Korean War Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Fox Operation Iraqi Freedom |
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.
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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.
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.
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 Center 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).