ABOUT 5:32nd Armored
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- Origins in World War II: The 5th Battalion, 32nd Armor (5/32nd Armor) traces its roots back to World War II, where its parent regiment, the 32nd Armor, was activated as part of the famed 3rd Armored Division ("Spearhead Division").
- Cold War Service: During the Cold War, 5/32nd Armor was stationed in West Germany, playing a key role in NATO's defense posture against the Warsaw Pact.
- Berlin Brigade Assignment: The battalion was assigned to the Berlin Brigade from 1963 to 1984, acting as a key armored deterrent in the divided city at the frontline of the Cold War.
- Patrolling the Berlin Wall: Members of 5/32nd Armor regularly patrolled the Berlin Wall, maintaining a visible U.S. armored presence just steps away from Soviet and East German forces.
- Unique Camouflage: Tanks and vehicles of 5/32nd Armor in Berlin often sported unique urban camouflage schemes, tailored for operations in the city environment.
- Operation Able Archer: The battalion participated in numerous exercises, including the tense Able Archer drills, which simulated NATO responses to potential Soviet aggression.
- Reforger Exercises: 5/32nd Armor frequently took part in REFORGER ("Return of Forces to Germany") exercises, demonstrating rapid deployment and combat readiness.
- Transition to M60 Tanks: The battalion transitioned from older Patton tanks to the more advanced M60A1 and later M60A3 main battle tanks during its Berlin service.
- Deactivation and Legacy: The battalion was deactivated in 1984 as part of the reorganization of U.S. forces in Europe, but its legacy continues in the lineage of the 32nd Armor.
- Spearhead Spirit: Veterans of 5/32nd Armor proudly maintain the "Spearhead" spirit, recalling their unique experiences as armored soldiers on the frontlines of the Cold War.