761st Tank Battalion Patch

They rolled into history under a banner of determination, courage, and unbreakable resolve. The 761st Tank Battalion, known as the “Black Panthers,” was one of the most formidable armored units to fight in World War II—a battalion that overcame prejudice at home only to become legend on the battlefields of Europe. Their motto, “Come Out Fighting,” was not merely a phrase but a promise they delivered under fire, time and time again.

Activated in 1942, the 761st was one of the first African American armored units in U.S. history. Their training at Camp Claiborne and Camp Hood was grueling—longer, harsher, and more scrutinized than most. But their performance in the field would shatter every low expectation placed upon them. In the fall of 1944, General George S. Patton requested the battalion by name, telling them, “I don’t care what color you are… you are going to fight.” And fight they did.

The 761st entered combat in France in November 1944, their Sherman tanks advancing into mud, snow, and German artillery fire. They spearheaded breakthroughs, smashed defensive lines, and fought street-to-street in hostile towns. Their tanks supported infantry assaults, destroyed enemy armor, and punched through positions that had stalled other units. Soldier by soldier, tank by tank, they built a reputation for precision and ferocity.

Their most defining moment came in the bitter cold of the Battle of the Bulge, where the Black Panthers held the line against relentless German attacks. For weeks, they fought in freezing forests and shattered villages, protecting supply routes, rescuing trapped infantry units, and counterattacking through terrain that destroyed lesser crews. Their grit helped blunt the German offensive, allowing American forces to regain the initiative.

As the Allied armies pushed east, the 761st crossed into Germany and Austria, liberating towns and fighting all the way to the gates of concentration camps. Their arrival brought relief and awe—survivors, townspeople, and fellow soldiers alike recognized the battalion’s fierce professionalism and unwavering discipline.

By the end of the war, the 761st Tank Battalion had spent 183 consecutive days in combat, earned a Presidential Unit Citation, and saw multiple members decorated for bravery. Yet their heroism went largely unrecognized for decades, overshadowed by the discrimination they had fought against their entire careers. Today, their place in history stands firm—proof of courage undiminished by prejudice, and of a fighting force that reshaped the U.S. Army’s understanding of excellence.

The 761st Tank Battalion patch honors these trailblazing warriors—the Black Panthers who “came out fighting” and never stopped. To wear it is to remember their sacrifice, their triumph, and their enduring legacy as one of World War II’s greatest armored units.