On the 80th anniversary of the iconic Sherman tank that spearheaded America’s liberation of Europe during World War II, the Museum of American Armor is seeking to honor those veterans who crewed these legendary vehicles.
The Armor Museum has put out an “All Points Bulletin” for Sherman tank veterans to join the Armor Museum in observing the milestone anniversary this coming Veterans Day by participating in an oral histories project that memorializes their experiences.
“The Armor Museum continues to offer a powerful presentation that keeps alive the legacy of our nation’s military and the gift of freedom they have given all of us,” Armor Museum’s founder and president Lawrence Kadish said. “The Sherman tank is an important part of that story and we are asking tanker veterans to come forward and help us preserve their legacy.”
In recognition of its considerable importance, the Armor Museum’s acquisition of a Sherman tank was one of the first actions undertaken by Kadish when he undertook the creation of the museum.
“You can’t effectively tell the story of American courage during World War II without this particular tank on operational display,” said Kadish.
Some 50,000 Sherman tanks were built by nearly a dozen different manufacturers during World War II, making them available to the Allies as well as American forces fighting in Europe and the Pacific. While not as well armed as its German opponents, the Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively fast, and produced in great numbers. As combat evolved during the conflict American tankers changed their tactics to confront and defeat the enemy’s superior armor.
“This museum is a unique commitment by public and private sectors to preserve and present a seminal chapter in the history of our world that is still defining current events around the globe,” Michael Sapraicone, senior museum trustee, said. “But to put that in perspective, we need to hear from our veterans who crewed the Sherman so there is a first-hand perspective on our nation’s heritage.”
Sherman veterans are invited to reach out to the museum through its website, www.museumofamericanarmor.com or call 516 454-TANK (8265).
