Hi, I have a question to ask about 10th Armored Division. I have found many articles about the division but I'm looking for more info on 90th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron (Troop E). I know this troop was a assault tank company but I'm not sure of how many vehicles or men were in the troop, I'd like to know. My main question is, on my great grandfathers discharge papers it list him as light truck driver, and a rank with private first class. I'm thinking he drove a jeep but was it more likely that he drove a tank ? In my opinion I don't think so because he isn't a technician and qualified for the job. If you have any pictures, articles, or anything else, that would be nice. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
During WWII, each US armored division had a Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron organically assigned to it. The 10th Armored Division's assigned squadron was the 90th.
A Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron assigned to an armored division consisted of the following;
A Headquarters and Headquarters and Service Troop of 12 officers and 122 enlisted men
Four Cavalry Reconnaissance Troops each of 5 officers and 134 enlisted men. The four troops were lettered A through D.
An Assault Gun Troop of 5 officers and 102 enlisted men, lettered E.
A Light Tank Company of 5 officers and 89 enlisted men, lettered F.
An attached Medical Detachment of 2 officers and 12 men.
A Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron that was not assigned to an armored division (like those in Cavalry Groups) had a different organization, with only three cavalry reconnaissance troops instead of four, and a smaller assault gun troop that had three platoons instead of four (giving it 4 officers and 89 men in contrast to the divisionally-assigned troop's 5 officers and 102 men) The unit lettering in Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons stayed fixed, so the troops and company in a non-divisional squadron would be lettered A, B, C, E, F.
Here is the organization of a Cavalry Assault Gun Troop assigned to an armored division. The troop had;
Troop Headquarters
Headquarters Section
Administrative, Mess, and Supply Section
Maintenance Section
Four Assault Gun Platoons, each with;
Platoon Headquarters
Two Gun Sections, each with one M8 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage
Ammunition Section
I have highlighted your great-grandfather's potential role in the unit. During WWII, a light truck driver's role was;
Drives auto or truck (2 1/2-ton capacity, or less) to transport personnel and equipment. Checks operation of lights, brakes, steering mechanism, and other operating parts. Services, cleans, and lubricates vehicle. Tightens and replaces nuts, bolts, screws, and studs. Repairs flat tires. Camouflages vehicle. Accomplishes standard vehicle report forms. Uses pliers, jack, crank, wrenches, screw driver, oiling can, and tire iron.
Should know general principles of the internal combustion engine, power transmission, and electrical system in an automotive vehicle. Must know civilian and military traffic regulations, convoy rules and road discipline. Must know how to read maps and overlays and be able to drive at night and during blackout over all types of terrain. Must possess Army Motor Vehicle Operator's Permit. At supervisory level, is responsible for dispatching and routing of vehicles and column control of small motor convoys.
Other than driving the kitchen and equipment truck, he could have also driven a jeep or similar vehicle when needed; many men "requisitioned" their own jeeps as personal vehicles for this purpose.
A more detailed breakdown of a Cavalry Assault Gun Troop assigned to an armored division is as follows;
Troop Headquarters:
Headquarters Section:
| Quantity | SSN | Rank | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1c | ? | Captain | Troop commander |
| 1c | 542 | Sergeant | Communication chief |
| 1c | 761 | Corporal | Agent, liaison |
| 1es | 803 | Pvt./Pfc. | Bugler |
| 1s | 931 | Technician 5th Grade | Driver, half-track |
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Car, half-track, M3 or M3A1, without armament | 1 |
| Gun, machine, Browning, cal. .30, M1919A4, flexible | 1h |
| Radio Set SCR-508 | 1h |
| Truck, 1/4-ton, 4x4 | 1 |
Administrative, Mess, and Supply Section:
| Quantity | SSN | Rank | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1c | 1736 | First Sergeant | -- |
| 1c | 824 | Staff Sergeant | Mess |
| 1c | 821 | Staff Sergeant | Supply |
| 1c | 405 | Corporal | Clerk, troop |
| 1c | 060 | Technician 4th Grade | Cook |
| 1c | 060 | Technician 5th Grade | Cook |
| 1c | 521 | Pvt./Pfc. | Cook's helper |
| 1s | 345 | Pvt./Pfc. | Driver, truck, light |
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Gun, machine, Browning, HB, cal. .50, M2, flexible | 1j |
| Launcher, rocket, 2.36-inch, M9 | 1k |
| Trailer, 1-ton, 2-wheel, cargo | 1 |
| Truck, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, cargo (kitchen and equipment) | 1 |
Maintenance Section:
| Quantity | SSN | Rank | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1ac | 813 | Technical Sergeant | Motor |
| 1bc | 813 | Staff Sergeant | Motor |
| 1c | 511 | Technician 5th Grade | Armorer |
| 1c | 804 | Technician 4th Grade | Mechanic, artillery |
| 1ac | 804 | Technician 5th Grade | Mechanic, artillery |
| 1fs | 014 | Technician 4th Grade | Mechanic, automobile |
| 1ac | 014 | Technician 5th Grade | Mechanic, automobile |
| 1c | 660 | Technician 4th Grade | Mechanic, tank |
| 1gs | 660 | Technician 5th Grade | Mechanic, tank |
| 1es | 648 | Technician 4th Grade | Repairman, radio |
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Car, half-track, M3 or M3A1, without armament | 1 |
| Carbine, cal. .30, M1 | 4d |
| Gun, machine, Browning, HB, cal. .50, M2, flexible | 1h |
| Gun, submachine, cal. .45, M3 | 3 |
| Launcher, rocket, 2.36-inch, M9 | 2m |
| Radio Set SCR-528 | 1u |
| Truck, 1/4-ton, 4x4 | 1 |
| Vehicle, tank recovery, M32, with armament | 1 |
Four assault gun platoons. Per platoon:
Platoon Headquarters:
| Quantity | SSN | Rank | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1c | ? | First Lieutenant | Platoon commander |
| 1c | 1736 | Staff Sergeant | Platoon sergeant |
| 1s | 931 | Technician 5th Grade | Driver, half-track |
| 4r | 745 | Pvt./Pfc. | Rifleman |
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Car, half-track, M3 or M3A1, without armament | 1 |
| Carbine, cal. .30, M1 | 2 |
| Finder, range, M7, with cavalry equipment | 1 |
| Gun, machine, Browning, HB, cal. .50, M2, flexible | 1h |
| Gun, submachine, cal. .45, M3 | 1 |
| Launcher, rocket, 2.36-inch M9 | 1n |
| Radio Set SCR-508 | 1h |
| Rifle, U.S., cal. .30, M1 | 4 |
Two Gun Sections per platoon; per Section:
| Quantity | SSN | Rank | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1c | 1736 | Sergeant | Chief of section |
| 1c | 1736 | Corporal | Gunner |
| 1c | 1736 | Pvt./Pfc. | Cannoneer |
| 1s | 1736 | Technician 4th or 5th Grade | Driver, tank |
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Carbine, cal. .30, M1 | 3 |
| Carriage, motor, 75-mm howitzer, M8 with armament | 1 |
| Gun, submachine, cal. .45, M3 | 1 |
| Radio Set SCR-510 | 1t |
| Trailer, ammunition, M10 | 1 |
Ammunition Section:
| Quantity | SSN | Rank | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1c | 505 | Sergeant | Chief of section |
| 3c | 901 | Pvt./Pfc. | Handler, ammunition |
| 1s | 931 | Technician 5th Grade | Driver, half-track |
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Car, half-track, M3 or M3A1, without armament | 1 |
| Carbine, cal. .30, M1 | 4 |
| Gun, machine, Browning, cal. .30, M1919A4, flexible | 1h |
| Gun, submachine, cal. .45, M3 | 1 |
| Launcher, rocket, 2.36-inch, M9 | 1n |
| Trailer, ammunition, M10 | 1 |
Additional Equipment for Issue:
| Equipment | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Launcher, grenade, M7 | 5x |
| Launcher, grenade, M8 | 5y |
Notes:
a: authorized only when this unit is in armored division
b: authorized in place of Technical Sergeant when this unit is not in armored division
c: armed with carbine, cal. .30, M1
d: add 2 more when this unit is in armored division
e: drives truck, 1/4-ton
f: drives half-track
g: drives tank recovery vehicle
h: mounted on half-track
j: mounted on truck, 2 1/2-ton
k: carried in truck, 2 1/2-ton
m: 1 carried in half-track; 1 carried in tank recovery vehicle
n: carried in half-track
r: armed with rifle, U.S., cal. .30, M1
s: armed with gun, submachine, cal. .45, M3
t: mounted in howitzer motor carriage
u: mounted in tank recovery vehicle
x: 1 per 3 rifles, M1
y: 1 per troop headquarters and 1 per platoon headquarters for carbine, cal. .30