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, credited with 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 total vehicle and self-propelled gun kills. He has 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.[1]
Pool served with the US 3rd Armored Division in France between June and September 1944. He was commander of three Sherman tanks, (an M4A1, and two M4A1(76)W) all of which bore the nickname "IN THE MOOD", and all of which were eventually shot out from under him.
Pool fought in 21 separate engagements during his time in France before eventually being knocked out of the war when he lost his leg following an ambush by a German '88'.
After rehabilitation and being fitted with a prosthesis he returned to the Army in 1948 and went on to serve in the Korean War. He left the Army in 1960 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2.