A history of the 784 Tank Battalion, titled The 784th Tank Battalion in World War II History of an African American Armored Unit in Europe, authored by Joe Wilson, is published by McFarland. The following description of the book is from the publisher's website.
With the onset of World War II, African Americans found themselves in a struggle just to be allowed to fight for their country. Individuals like Lt. General Leslie McNair and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt fought against the military’s discrimination, arguing that the nation could little afford to overlook such an important source of strength. Their eventual success took the form of a military experiment designed to determine whether African Americans were as capable as white soldiers. The 784th was one tank battalion formed as a result.
Part of an effort to chronicle the history of the first African Americans to serve in armored units, this history recounts the service of the 784th Tank Battalion. Replete with observations and comments from veterans of the battalion, it paints a vivid picture of World War II as seen through the eyes of soldiers who had to confront second-class treatment by their army and fellow soldiers while enduring the horrors of war. It details the day-to-day activities of the 784th Tank Battalion, describing basic training, actual combat, occupation and, finally, the deactivation of the unit. Special emphasis is placed on the ways in which these war experiences contributed to the American civil rights movements of the 1960s.
About the Author
The son of a tanker in the 761st Tank Battallion, Joe Wilson, Jr., a systems accountant in Washington, D.C., has also written for World War II magazine. He is the author of The 761st “Black Panther” Tank Battalion in World War II (1999), and also owns this website.
Related Story
Click here for an article about brothers Wayne and Robert Martin, featured in the book. The brothers from Dunbar, PA, were soldiers from other units that fought alongside the 784th Tank Battalion.
Comments/Reviews
February 11, 2007
Review by Bill Stone of
Stone & Stone Second World War Books
"It's a shame it took so many years for a history of the 784th Tank Battalion to appear, because most of the unit's veterans have already passed on, but the remaining survivors must be very pleased with the fine book produced by Joe Wilson, Jr. ..." Click here to read the rest of the review at the Stone & Stone website.
Dear Mr. Wilson,
I received my copy of your book "The 784th Tank Battalion in WWII" and immediately read it
since my Dad had been telling me about your endeavor and his involvement.
I want to thank you for writing (researching) about the so often overlooked involvement
of African Americans in this treacherous war. At times it is rather disturbing and tragic reading
(as all war stories are) but non-the-less am happy that respect is being paid were it has long
been overdue.
I found the book to be very well written and researched and am wishing you great success with it.
Once again, Thank-You.
Sincerely, Max Hughes
Dear Joe:
Many thanks for sending us a copy of your wonderful new book! We are so very happy that you were able to realize your dream; and to honor your handsome father. The book is well done. The story needed telling. The men and their deeds need to be remembered.
(Personally from Keith) I’ve wondered for years who these wonderful guys were and where they came from. It turns out that they trained in North Camp Hood where I began my training in 1943. I didn’t and still don’t care much for Texas and ironically, Gatesville is now a prison town.
Back to the reasons for interest in the 784th. During the fighting in the Ruhr Pocket, the 784th probably saved this old man’s worthless hide.
Some of us were out a little too far and were pinned down when out of the smoke there appeared the most beautiful Sherman under the command of the most beautiful Black man I/we have ever seen. The tank came to a halt nearby and a deep voice said; “got some trouble seems like?”
Joe, I’d still like to shake that man’s hand. Probably he’s gone now – but I will never forget my/debt to those guys in the 784th Tank Battalion.
Again, thank you to you as an author and to your dream realized.
Sincerely Keith (Marge) Bullock
HQ/137th Infantry Regiment, 35th ID WWII
January 22, 2007
Middletown, Illinois
Dear Joe,
I just received your book. It is a story that had to be
told! The 784th has been passed by in the history books. The 761st was not
the only black tank battalion. The picture of Sgt. Loos and I on page 141 certainly turned out good. Loos
died several years ago in Florida. Joe, it has been a pleasure to give my experiences to you and have them
available to future generations. I have just read bits and pieces and I
think you have a true winner.
Again, please keep in touch and congratulations on a fine job.
James G. Graff, C-134th Infantry
First Vice President, 35th Infantry Division Association
Dear Joe:
Thank you for sending me your book. I quickly dashed through
it and was fascinated by the story of a great American outfit. My
intention is to slowly re-read it and enjoy it. You certainly did a great
job in presenting the efforts of the men in overcoming many obstacles in
their effort to not only get on the front lines but to actually spearhead
attacks on the enemy. I hope the descendants of the brave soldiers
appreciate what you have done.
Best wishes,
John Walsh, HQ/320th Infantry
President, 35th Infantry Division Association
The book arrived, a nice surprise. Thank you very much. It looks
great, a work that you can be very proud of, as can all the men who served
in the unit. I really appreciate the sentiments written inside. Just
finished the book I was reading, will now start on the 784th.
Wayne Mikus
Son of Lt. Ernest Mikus C/784th
Dear Joe:
Thanks so much for the book on the 784th Tank Battalion. After reading it
I wondered just how many hours it took to compile all those facts. It had
to be a labor of love. You certainly can be proud of the finished product.
I hope the 784th appreciated all the time and energy it took to complete
the book. I think it's excellent.
Thanks again,
Royal Offer
K/320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Lens of an Infantryman, A World War II Memoir with Photographs from a Hidden Camera by Murray Leff, published by McFarland (Jefferson, North Carolina) 129 photos, index, appendices, 207 pages softcover (7 x 10) 2007, ISBN 978-0-7864-2867-0. Click here to visit the publisher's website.
Murry Leff fought in Europe beside the 784th Tank Battalion while he was part of the 137th Infantry Regiment. After he arrived in Europe he traded his cigarette ration for a 35mm camera. Hiding the camera under his field jacket, he was able to record some of the war’s most heated fighting. Photographs snapped while he crouched in a water-filled ditch show Leff’s rifle squad burying their heads in mud as enemy shells come in. Images show a supporting tank on its arrival and later, smoldering from a direct hit by German fire. These and many more photographs are part of the memoir recording Leff’s World War II experiences from Gremercey Forest through the Battle of the Bulge, the Ruhr Pocket and the fall of Germany. Now the owner of an advertising agency, Murray Leff lives in Bellerose, New York.
