| 761st Tank Battalion | |
|---|---|
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| Active | 1942–1946 (segregated unit) 1947–1955 (integrated unit) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Separate tank battalion |
| Role | Armored warfare |
| Size | Battalion |
| Nickname(s) | Black Panthers |
| Motto(s) | Come Out Fighting |
| Colors | Blue, red, yellow |
| Mascot(s) | Black panther |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:U.S._Army_and_U.S._Air_Force_Presidential_Unit_Citation_ribbon.svg){kind=small} Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lt. Col. Paul L. Bates |
The 761st Tank Battalion was an independent tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. Its ranks primarily consisted of African American soldiers, who by War Department policy were not permitted to serve in the same units as White troops; the United States Armed Forces did not officially desegregate until after World War II. The 761st were known as the Black Panthers after their distinctive unit insignia, which featured a black panther's head, and the unit's motto was "Come out fighting". Decades after the war, the unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions. In addition, a large number of individual members also received medals, including one Medal of Honor, eleven Silver Stars and approximately 300 Purple Hearts.[1]
- ^ Nye, Logan (27 April 2017). "The story of 'Patton's Panthers,' the black WWII tank unit that crushed Nazi forces on the Western front". Business Insider. Retrieved 1 March 2023.