Pineville in Rapides Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Beauregard - 761st Tank Battalion
Making Rights Real - Louisiana Civil Rights Trail
From 1940-1944, Louisiana hosted a series of military maneuvers designed to train soldiers for all aspects of Army Ground Forces operations. Approximately 75,000 black soldiers maneuvered in Central Louisiana. The 761st Tank Battalion, an experimental unit, just like the Tuskegee Airman, was formed at Camp Claiborne. The 761st was attached to many commands in Europe. Eight infantry divisions utilized this armor unit for direct support. As part of General Patton's Third Army, its fighting ability became legendary and it acquired the nickname, "Patton's Panthers." By showing their prowess, this and other units proved that the Army did not need segregated units. On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 desegregating the United States Army.
Erected 2022 by Louisiana Office of Tourism.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Military • War, World II.
Location. 31° 22.21′ N, 92° 24.207′ W. Marker is in Pineville, Louisiana , in Rapides Parish. Marker is on 3rd Street near F Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 623 G Street, Pineville LA, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" Helicopter (a few steps from this marker); Louisiana Army National Guard Desert Storm Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Dedicated to the Soldiers of the Spearhead Division (a few steps from this marker); Caterpillar No. 33 Pull Grader (within shouting distance of this marker); M4A3 "Sherman" Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M2 155mm Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); M19A1 "Duster" (within shouting distance of this marker); M26 Pershing Tank (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pineville.
More about this marker. Address given comes from website. Museum is located on an active, manned military base. Check with museum before visiting, for closures or special instruction. Vehicles or persons may be subjected to search upon entering or leaving base. Proper ID required to enter base.
Also see . . . Louisiana National Guard Museums website. (Submitted on April 23, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 23, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.