Tank Destroyer
Dedicate Monument at 
Fort Knox, Kentucky
October 1989

Kentucky has long been known as the home of the thoroughbreds. The week of October 9th had the same electricity as the days preceding the “running for the roses” every Spring. Only the brilliant autumn colors were a giveaway. Riders from 42 states had assembled on Tuesday and Wednesday for the festivities that would culminate on Friday, October 13th - not at Churchill Downs, but at the Louisville Motor Speedway.

After formal registration at the Gait House East on Wednesday, a group of some 350 Tank Destroyer vets and their wives boarded the vintage riverboat the “Belle of Louisville” for an enjoyable evening cruise on the Ohio River. This vessel chartered exclusively for the Tank Destroyers, afforded these vets the opportunity to reminisce about their experiences in a family atmosphere.

Despite a late evening, Thursday morning found a deluge of early diners in the River Grille. All were beaming with enthusiasm for the special event that would take place at 10:30 AM outside the Patton Museum at Fort Knox. After more than 40 years of waiting, these T.D. vets were finally getting some of the recognition long past due. No one was late for boarding their bus for the drive to Fort Knox. In a mili­tary-like convoy, eight buses rolled onto the Museum parking lot to be greeted by the old and new.

There, on either flank, was the State of the Art military weaponry; a behemoth M-1A1 Abrams tank, and a Bradley fighting vehicle in mod­em four color camouflage. At center stage was the State of the Art weapon of WWII. It was none other than “Amaz’n Grace”, the thoroughbred M-18 Tank Destroyer of the Military Museum of Southern New England. Through a joint effort of the Tank Destroyer Association, the Connecticut National Guard, and our museum, Amaz’n Grace made the 900 mile trip to be on hand for the dedication of a monument to the Tank destroyer Force.

In Reality, the hard work of the T.D.A. Officers and their wives made this unforgettable event possible. We know that we speak for all T.D. vets when we say “THANK YOU” for their efforts.

Friday found several T.D. vets and their wives touring Louisville and the Kentucky countryside. This organized tour was sold out even before the reunion began. For those not on the tour, and even a few who backed out at the last moment, Fri­day the thirteenth was to be a very lucky day. Through the kindness of the Louisville Motor Speedway. and Mr. Andy Vertrees, their promoter, we were able to use their facility to ride in our thoroughbred. Yes, in sunny 87 degree weather, every man and woman on hand at the track rode in, or drove, “Amaz’n Grace”, the only operational M-18 Tank Destroyer in the country. For all involved, we say “Mission Accomplished”.

The United States Army Armor Center Memorial Park is dedicated to the’ soldiers who fought with Armor in wars of the Twentieth Century. It commemorates organizations from the U.S. Army that are recognized in the official Army Order of Battle and served in a combat theater. Organizations may be of any branch of service, since Armor is the combined arms team.

Commemorative structures with plaques are arranged in a random pattern along a serpentine walkway beginning at the Park entrance. Except for divisions, no groupings or hierarchy of units exists. Each having served with distinction. There is no first. There is no last.