LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the 761st Tank Battalion for their hero-
ic efforts during World War II

WHEREAS, Members of the United States Armed Forces, who served so faith-
fully and courageously in wars in which our Nation's freedom was at
stake, as well as in the preservation of peace during peacetime, deserve
the highest commendation of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, February has been designated as Black History Month in our
Nation to celebrate and recognize the contributions of the Black commu-
nity; this joyful month-long celebration is held across New York State
and America to fittingly note the contributions of African-Americans
throughout history and in all fields of endeavor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the 761st Tank
Battalion, the "Black Panthers," for their heroic efforts during World
War II; and
WHEREAS, This is a special tribute to the men of the 761st Tank
Battalion, strong, dedicated men whose courageous deeds received so
little notice in spite of their immense value in the successful defeat
of Germany in WWII; and
WHEREAS, The first black armor unit to see combat, the 761st Tank
Battalion had no headlines or movies to extol their tremendous exploits;
although they spearheaded many of General Patton's attacks, they were
never represented in any films; and
WHEREAS, For 183 days, the Black Panthers continually engaged in
combat and defeated the best that Germany had, although they were usual-
ly outnumbered and faced superior weaponry; it was the 761st Tank
Battalion who punched the hole in the Siegfried Line through which
General Patton's tanks subsequently poured and raced across Germany; and
WHEREAS, Silence echoes around the deeds of the 761st Tank Battalion
in spite of their exceptional courage and boldness in battle; they
fought for six months without relief, and also defeated superior German
forces that had stymied, stalled, and frustrated other units of General
Patton; and
WHEREAS, The German breakthrough in the Ardennes Forest precipitated
the famous action known to the world as the Battle of the Bulge; the
761st Tank Battalion was tasked with taking the German stronghold in the
town of Tillet; every other American unit that was assigned to take the
town had been beaten back; and
WHEREAS, Tanks, artillery, and infantry inside the Ardennes Forest had
assaulted Tillet and all had failed to take it; after a week of steady
fighting against entrenched SS troops, the Black Panthers took Tillet
and drove the Germans out in full retreat; these are but a few of their
remarkable accomplishments during the war; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this opportu-
nity to express its gratitude to the men of the 761st Tank Battalion for
their tremendous sacrifices made for our Nation and for the benefit of
all Americans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the 761st Tank Battalion for their heroic efforts during World War
II; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the 761st Tank Battalion.