About this Unit
The 766th Quartermaster Battalion was activated during World War II, playing a crucial role in supplying Allied forces with essential materials and logistics support. The unit was responsible for the storage, transportation, and distribution of food, fuel, and equipment to front-line troops, ensuring operational readiness across multiple theaters of war. After World War II, the 766th continued to serve in various capacities, including support missions during the Korean War and peacetime operations. The battalion's dedication to logistical excellence has earned it recognition as a vital component of the Army's sustainment operations.
Historical Facts
• World War II Origins: The 766th Quartermaster Battalion was an African-American unit formed during World War II, primarily composed of Black soldiers due to the segregated structure of the U.S. Army at the time.
• Red Ball Express: The 766th Quartermaster Truck Company was a key participant in the famous Red Ball Express, the critical logistics operation that supplied Allied forces moving rapidly across France after D-Day in 1944.
• Essential Supply Role: The unit was responsible for transporting fuel, ammunition, food, and other indispensable supplies to front-line troops, ensuring the Allied advance could continue without interruption.
• Challenging Conditions: Soldiers of the 766th often operated under dangerous conditions, facing enemy fire, rough terrain, and long hours behind the wheel to keep supplies flowing.
• Breaking Racial Barriers: The 766th and other Black quartermaster truck companies helped pave the way for the eventual desegregation of the U.S. military by demonstrating outstanding professionalism and dedication.
• Nickname: Truck drivers in units such as the 766th were often called "Red Ballers" because of their association with the Red Ball Express and their distinctive unit insignia.
• Unsung Heroes: Despite their vital contribution, the efforts of the 766th and similar units were largely overlooked in post-war histories for many years, only gaining wider recognition decades later.
• Women in Support Roles: While the 766th itself was a male combat support unit, women from the Women's Army Corps (WAC) also played important support roles in quartermaster operations during WWII.
• Decorations and Commendations: Members of the 766th Quartermaster received various commendations for their bravery and efficiency, including unit citations for outstanding performance under fire.
• Legacy: The legacy of the 766th Quartermaster is honored today as an example of the crucial importance of logistics in military success and as a milestone in the progress toward equality within the U.S. armed forces.
