About this Unit
The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment (2/32nd Armor) was first constituted in 1941 and activated at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. The unit saw combat in World War II as part of the 3rd Armored Division, participating in key campaigns across France and Germany. During the Cold War, 2/32nd Armor served in Europe, enhancing NATO's armored capabilities against potential Warsaw Pact threats. In later years, the battalion was periodically reactivated and inactivated, with its lineage and honors continuing as part of the U.S. Army’s ongoing force restructuring efforts.
Historical Facts
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Formation and Early Years: The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment (“2/32 Armor”) was constituted on 13 January 1941 in the Regular Army and assigned to the 3rd Armored Division.
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World War II Service: The unit fought with distinction across Europe during World War II, participating in major campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace (Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe.
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“Hell on Wheels”: As part of the 3rd Armored Division, 2/32 Armor inherited the famous nickname “Spearhead” for its role in leading offensive operations.
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Breaking Through the Siegfried Line: 2/32 Armor participated in the historic breakthrough of the Siegfried Line, the formidable German defensive network, in 1944.
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Cold War Service in Germany: After World War II, 2/32 Armor was stationed in West Germany for decades, serving as a deterrent force during the height of the Cold War.
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Reactivation and Inactivation: The battalion has been inactivated and reactivated several times, reflecting changing Army needs and restructuring.
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Gulf War Service: The 2/32 Armor deployed to Saudi Arabia and participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, contributing to the liberation of Kuwait.
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Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion’s insignia features a mailed fist holding a lightning bolt, symbolizing its striking power and armored strength.
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Decorations: The unit has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and French Croix de Guerre with Palm for extraordinary heroism in action during World War II.
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Legacy and Lineage: Although inactivated in the late 1990s, the traditions and honors of 2/32 Armor are perpetuated by successor units, and its veterans maintain a strong alumni network.
