John Marcotte

2nd Armored Division

U.S. Army

The 2nd Armored Division, nicknamed "Hell on Wheels," was activated on July 15, 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia. The division gained fame during World War II, landing in North Africa in 1942 and later participating in the invasions of Sicily and Normandy. It played a crucial role in the breakout from Saint-Lô and the subsequent advance across France, Belgium, and into Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, the division served during the Cold War in Germany and was deployed in Operation Desert Storm before its inactivation in 1995.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops, Berlin Brigade (HHC Special Troops) was a vital component of the U.S. Army Berlin Brigade during the Cold War. Activated in post-World War II Berlin, the unit provided essential command, control, and administrative support to the brigade’s specialized elements, including military police, signal, and intelligence units. HHC Special Troops played a key role in maintaining readiness, discipline, and operational effectiveness amidst the geopolitical tensions of a divided city. The unit remained active until the brigade’s deactivation in 1994, following the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.