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Today i would like to bring the idea of Cpl. Clarence smoyer being a profile picture.
Cpl. Clarence Smoyer was a young man who joined in February 1943 and was assigned to the 3rd armored division in “Easy company” on the M4A1 76mm Sherman Named “Eagle II”. Smoyer would make a name for himself as they pushed toward the fatherland for his exceptional and seemingly natural gunnery skills. This reputation would earn his crew one of the brand new M26 Pershing’s that had been shipped to Europe for “Baptism by fire” testing. As they pushed towards the Rhine river Smoyers Pershing would be spearheading the entire group all the way to Cologne. Once the 3rd armored division reached Cologne they would comb the city for any resistance left. In the Depths of inter city Cologne , Oberleutnant Wilhelm Bartelborth’s Panther tank lay in wait as the 3rd armored pushed into Cologne. 2 Shermans of the 3rd armored pushed towards the cathedral, but were stopped by rubble, they radioed for a dozer to move up and clear it , before anything else could happen Bartleborths Panther fired knocking out 1 of the Shermans , the other was prevented from reversing around the other side of a building by a follow up shot from the panther. Jim Bates (Decorated Combat Photographer) , informed Bob Earley (commander of the M26) of the panther that was hiding near the train station, Earleys idea was to flank the panther up the parallel street. As Eagle 7 rolled up the street , Jim Bates would climb into a bombed out building , to record the entire duel. As Eagle 7 rolled closer and closer to the intersection , Bartleborth would seemingly have a 6th sense and order his gunner to aim down the street the Pershing was going to peek. As Eagle 7 finally came around the corner , Bartle borth hesitated , believing the tank to be friendly. Clarence opened fire on the panther , the first shot penetrated the lower side causing the crew to bail out, the second was under the gun mantlet , and the 3rd and final hit the upper side destroying the vehicle. From then on this would be known as the Cologne Tank Duel , and clarence would be known as “The Hero Of Cologne”.
After the war Clarence would return home and marry his high school sweetheart, in September 18 2019 Smoyer would be awarded the bronze star 75 years late for his bravery and excellent marksmanship ,he would live a happy life up until his death on September 30 2022 , at the age of 99.
Cpl. Clarence Smoyers , acomplishments were immortalized by Both the book Spearhead (written by Adam Makos) and Jim Bates Fotage of the duel.