I thought today I would related a real story of a real American soldier. A truly great soldier, an Army Tanker who served in combat in WW2 for 81 straight days.
Let’s ponder that for a moment. Most of us can’t imagine 1 day in combat. I served for 100 hours in combat in 1991, just 4 days or so. This guy was in the fight, every day, for 81 days. This is insane. None of us today knows what this means.
Here’s his story. He is, by the way, considered the American Tank Ace of Aces.
Many of you have probably seen the movie Fury and know that Brad Pitt’s character was called War Daddy. What you may not know is that there was a genuine American combat hero nick named War Daddy. Here is his story.
His name is Lafayette G. Pool …. His actual nickname in WW2 was War Daddy. His tank was named In The Mood. He is a genuine American Bad Ass
Lafayette G. Pool was born and raised in Odem, Texas. He graduated high school in 1938, attending an engineering school and had an amateur boxing career. He had a twin brother who joined the Navy. He joined the Army in the summer of 1941, prior to the US entering WW2 in December. He ended up in the Armor Corps and eventually in 3rd Armored Division.
79 years ago Lafayette G. Pool, aka War Daddy, was in his 81st day of combat in France in 1944. He was leading Combat Command A of 3rd Armored Division as they assaulted the Siegfried Line on the German border.
After 81 straight days in combat, losing 2 of his own tanks already, killing or capturing over 1000 Germans and destroying over 250 German tanks and armored vehicles, his tank was ambushed by a German Panther.
His Sherman tank took two rounds from the Panther as it was backing up out of the ambush. His gunner was killed, his driver, bow gunner, and loader were wounded, and War Daddy was thrown out of the tank by the explosions. He ended up having his leg amputated above the knee.
War Daddy is one of the great all time American soldiers of WW2. Sadly, Fury did a poor job of actually telling the story of this genuine hero.
All 3 of Pool’s tanks were named “In The Mood”. The first tank was destroyed in early July, 1944 by a German soldier with a Panzerfaust (basically, a bazooka). The second tank was destroyed in August, 1944 by friendly fire from an American P-38 Lightning fighter-bomber. The third tank, obviously, was destroyed a German Panther. Pool and his entire crew were together for all 81 days of combat.
Later, after rehabilitation, War Daddy was able to re-enlist in the Army. He served until he retired, in 1960, as a Chief Warrant Officer 2. He continued, after retirement, to spend time with the Armor Corps in a consulting role.
Today, I remember Lafayette G. Pool, War Daddy, one of the greatest American tankers to ever live. He is considered to be the American Tank Ace of all Aces.
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