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“Next to the German and Russian tanks, the American tanks are the best in the world.” “The American tank is not nearly as good as the German tank.”

Irzyk in response to critics about the performance of American tanks in combat during WWII. View his interview at: As a memorable tribute to the general, the following letter was written in 1946 by then-Lt. Irzyk speaks in a video message to the 5th Annual Brotherhood of Tankers Homecoming in late 2016 at Fort Benning, Ga. Albin Iryzk a heartfelt happy birthday and our thanks for his contributions to America’s Army and the nation.īrig. His last assignment was commanding general of Fort Devens, Mass., before retiring in 1971.Īll of us who wear or have worn the uniform of our nation wish Brig. Irzyk received the Distinguished Service Cross and two Silver Stars for his heroic efforts during that war.įollowing WWII, Irzyk served as the commander of the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment along the divided East/West German border in Fulda, Germany, during the 1961 Berlin Crisis. Serving as the 8th Tank Battalion commander in the 4th Armored Division during WWII, Irzyk’s battalion performed magnificently.

Irzyk joined the Army in 1940 as part of the Army’s build-up in response to the evolving threat of Hitler’s forces in Europe after the invasion of Poland.

The M1917, the United States’ first mass-produced tank, was based on the French Renault.Īlso celebrating a 100th birthday this year is retired Brig. Pershing saw the immediate value and need for tanks as part of his forces engaged in combat.Ĭelebrating a 100th birthday this year is the United States Tank Corps, which used tanks supplied by France and Great Britain during World War I.Īmerica’s first tank, the M1917, had just started production when WWI came to an end. John Pershing served as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces sent to the fight by President Woodrow Wilson. Tanks in WWI were developed simultaneously by England and France as a means to break the deadlock of trench warfare.įor those interested in history, Little Willie can be seen in the tank museum in Bovington, England, along with the M4 Sherman tank nicknamed “Fury” used by Brad Pitt in the move of the same name.Īmerica entered WWI in April 1917 in support of England and France with no tanks in our formations. The British Army claim the first tank-like vehicle ever produced, nicknamed Little Willie, in 1915.