Company C, 192nd Tank Battalion

Company C had a modest beginning, first organized in 1920 as Company H, Tank Corps, Ohio National Guard at Port Clinton, Ohio. In 1921, Company H was redesignated the 37th Tank Company, and assigned to the 37th Infantry Division. Nearly 20 years later, on September 1, 1940 the 37th Tank Company was redesignated Company C and combined with companies from Janesville, Wisconsin (Company A,) Maywood, Illinois (Company B,) and Harrodsburg, Kentucky (Company D) to form the 192nd Tank Battalion.

Actual Photo. Company C talking over the attack that will come soon. Notice the battleship in the background.

Inducted into federal service on November 25th, 1940, the 42 men from the Port Clinton area departed four days later for training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where more men were added to the unit. After training and maneuvers at Fort Knox and Fort Polk Louisiana, the unit left San
Francisco on October 24, 1941 for Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands. Arriving November 20th, 1941, Company C was just settling in when Clark Field was bombed by the Japanese on December 8.

The unit first saw ground combat December 22, 1941 as the enemy landed in force at Lingayen Gulf against outnumbered Filipino-American defenders. Company C, in the first valid WWII tank-vs.-tank action, destroyed eight Japanese tanks and prevented a complete route of the Filipino-American troops in the area. Company C support the allied retreat into Bataan Peninsula while continually facing larger enemy forces and suffering the effects of tropical disease, lack of food, ammunition and communications. After moving into Bataan, the unit was cited for its
participation during the coastal defense and front line direct support phases, the critical "Battle of the Points" and their decisive role in the
"Battle of the Pockets."

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Last Update: March 15, 2004