1113 WW2 ERA 82ND RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION FLAG.

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This item SOLD at 2023 Dec 03 @ 11:11UTC-5 : EST/CDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 150.00 USD
Estimated at 300.00 - 600.00 USD
3' x 4' regulation 1945 dated Philadelphia QM depot labeled double applique hand and machine embroidered eagle and crest on a golden yellow field, gold fringe. Motto: “AUDACITY”. The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was a part of the 2nd Armored Division, and was activated July 15, 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia, for World War II. The organization was made up of trained men, from cavalry and reconnaissance units. The reconnaissance battalion was known as the "eyes and ears", of the 2nd Armored Division. As part of the North African Campaign, three platoons of the 82nd were a part of the first landing in force in French North Africa's Tunisia which forced the surrendering. As part of Operation Torch and Operation Blackstone on November 8, 1942, one platoon of the 82nd landed at Safi, Morocco, and with Combat Command B another platoon landed at Fedala, near Casablanca, with the 9th Infantry Division and a third 82nd platoon landed at Mahdia Plage, near Port Lyautey, with the 3rd Infantry Division. As part of Operation Husky in the Sicily Campaign, the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance battalion played a big role in the capture of Butera when the battalion landed in Gela, Sicily in south-central Sicily, on July 11, 1943. While, the tank company also participated in the Battle of Mazzarino, then moving on to Palermo. After the liberation of Palermo it was a part of the Palermo Military District administering prisoners of war. On June 9, 1944, along with other battalions, the 82nd Battalion landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy as a part of Combat Command "A" as part of the Normandy landings and Operation Overlord. From Omaha Beach the battalion pushed through the Cherbourg peninsula and secured bridge across the Seine River. On August 16, 1944, near Mortain, France with Company "A", 2nd Platoon, the 82nd Reconnaissance helped link the Ninth U.S. Army with the 11th Armored Division, from the 3rd Army in the Ardennes. Early September 1944 near Maastricht, Netherlands, the battalion crossed over the Maas (Meuse), near Sittard. On September 2, 1944, parts of the 82nd moved into neighbouring Belgium near Tournai. The battalion helped in the liberation of Born, Netherlands on Sept. 19, 1944. In Operation Queen and the Battle of the Bulge, the battalion helped near Gereonsweiler and near Houffalize. In September 1944 some of the 82nd recon patrols entered Belgium 12 hours before other American troops. From there the 82nd helped the Division move from the Rur (a tributary of the Meuse) to the Rhine. For bravery in the drive from April 3-17, 1945, from the Rhine through the Westphalia plains to the Elbe at Schönebeck, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation. From May 7, 1945, to January 1, 1946, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion moved into occupation roles, including serving among the first U.S. forces to occupy Berlin. On January 21, 1946, the battalion was shipped from Calais, France to Fort Hood, Texas, arriving February 12, 1946. The battalion was inactivated on November 22, 1946. 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion was part of the 2nd Armored Division during World War II, contributing to the Division's overall recognition distinguished service and bravery. Soldiers of the overall 2nd Armored Division received 9,369 awards, including two medals of honor, twenty-three distinguished service crosses, 2,302 Silver Stars, 6,000 Purple Hearts. In its 238 battle days, the 2nd Armored Division suffered 7,348 casualties, including 1,160 killed in action. 82nd Recon earned Presidential Unit Citation. CONDITION: fair, several large holes in field, embroidered areas are complete, soiled & stained. (02-19982-11/JS). $300-600.