Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Tigers in Support"
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2023
Soldiers of the Third Platoon, Charlie Company, Sixth Medium Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division received an urgent message on April 25, 1951. It was from the Rangers of the Eighth Ranger Company (code named Old Rose), who found themselves under a massive Chinese attack as they provided rearguard security for the withdrawal of the division. They needed support to evacuate their mounting casualties and to be transported back to friendly lines. Seizing the initiative, Lieutenant David Teich directed his unique, tiger striped tanks of the Third Platoon towards the nearly surrounded Rangers. In describing the desperate fight around Hill 628, one of the Rangers remarked, "if they (the tanks) don't assist, Old Rose will be No Rose." Risking potential death or capture, Lieutenant Teich's tanks reached the Rangers. The tankers helped load the 120 Rangers onto the vehicles and carried them to safety behind friendly lines.
The unique yellow, black and white, tiger stripe camouflage pattern of the Sixth Medium Tank Battalion was explained by Lieutenant Teich:
"From what I understand the reasons for painting not only my battalion tanks, but I believe all of the Army tanks in Korea, was that the psychological warfare department thought that since 1951 was the Year of the Tiger for the Chinese Army, if we painted our tanks to look like tigers, it would scare them. I don't think it did that, but it sure made my tank stand out a long way off."
[Caption:]
LT David Teich on his M46 Tank. The tank was named "Cora- G," after his wife. Korea, April 1951.
Erected by The United States Army War College; U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, Korean. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1951.
Location. 40° 12.198′ N, 77° 9.475′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker is on Army Heritage Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Army Heritage Trail, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Private (PV2) Doug Wallace (a few steps from this marker); The M113 Family of Vehicles (a few steps from this marker); Corporal Eugene C. Rivera (a few steps from this marker); The "Duster" (within shouting distance of this marker); Defender of Pusan (within shouting distance of this marker); Personal Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); From Chu Lai to the Fulda Gap
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2023
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.