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This website is intended to recognize the service and contributions of the men of the 65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. By attempting to document their efforts and experiences, the site will also attempt to increase understanding of conflict in which they fought and the role of artillery during World War II. Their sacrifice, and that of their families back home, deserves nothing less.

The materials accessible through the various pages of this site, including journal entries, personal photos or letters, have been donated by surviving members of the 65th or their families. Other items, such the maps and photos used to provide historical context, were obtained or compiled from materials available through the National Archives or other creditable sources. Where published materials are cited, the sources were compiled and listed. While not the primary purpose, it is hoped that military historians or other serious students of World War II history will find the site to be a valuable asset, thereby drawing greater attention to the role of the “Thunderbolt Battalion.”

The 65th Armored Field Artillery (AFA) Battalion, nicknamed “the Thunderbolt Battalion,” served with distinction throughout the European theater during World War II. Activated 1 October, 1941, the 65th (led throughout World War II by Brigadier General Edward A. Bailey) saw action in Tunisia, Sicily, Northern France (including the D-Day invasion of Normandy, when the 65th landed the first U.S. artillery in Europe), the Rhineland, and Central Europe. Before it was de-activated 25 November, 1945*, it fired 150,916 combat rounds during 7,389 combat missions. Using artillery mounted on tracked vehicles, the role of the 65th, like other U.S. armored artillery units in World War II, was to support forward deployed ground forces.

Contact Wallace Eckdahl

Brigadier General (then Lieutenant Colonel) Edward A. Bailey. The only commanding officer the 65th ever knew.

Built to keep pace with fast moving mechanized infantry and tanks that came to characterize warfare in World War II, the 65th moved quickly to support Allied forces in many battles with names that familiar only to military historians and the men who fought there. El Guettar, Hill 609, Agrigento, Carentan, Aachen, were key battles in the campaigns of World War II and the 65th had a hand in them all. During nearly four years of active service from 1941 thru 1945, the men of the 65th spent 406 days in combat (most of these spent in continuous action during the push across northern Europe) eventually losing 25 of their number. The 65th also collected its share of commendations and decorations, including three Distinguished Service Crosses, 13 Legion of Merits, 31 Silver Stars, and over 200 other individual decorations.

* On 1 January, 1947, the 65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was re-designated the 352nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion and allotted to the Organized Reserves as part of the 22nd Armored Division. On 25 August, 1956, the unit was re-allotted to the Regular army, re-designated as the 65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. The unit was finally de-activated with all personnel and equipment transferred to the 2nd Howitzer Battalion of the 6th Artillery Division, on 1 October 1957. The activities of the 352nd or the 65th of the 1950’s are not chronicled here.