World War II Veteran Reunited With Tank He Fought In

[@fathanpratama6008]

"one of the last survivor of the tank crews called Spearhead Division" That is so sad knowing he is the last piece of a History of the Division

[@kaptainkrafter4130]

So he was part of the 3rd Armored Division. The same division which had the Super Pershing! Edit: Just realized that this is Clarence Smoyer! I think he was one of the crewmen of the M26 Pershing that fought a German Panther tank in the famous duel at Cologne

[@liu3kang]

Damn. I thought they said that he was the last piece of a Harley-Davidson....😑

[@badcornflakes6374]

Gone but never forgotten

[@no2742]

They have documents, souvenirs and signed flags. Also the book.

[@Klaus_Fischer]

@olteandatdracu Well no, any tank could die to the tanks you named off due to alot of factors, the sherman was actually an effective fighting vehicle against the german armor when the U.S saw the results of crew loss and tank knock-outs and modified it with better armor and when able, a higher caliber gun, same with the British sherman fireflies

[@N0xium]

If they'd let him drive, he'd driven that beauty back to France.

[@snaccpakk5354]

he was first a loader then a gunner to a pershing gunner. i don't think he is the best at driving the tank

[@N0xium]

@@snaccpakk5354 he will eventually arrive in france

[@202reece5]

@@snaccpakk5354 Tank crews were trained to do different roles so that if one was dead, wounded, or unavailable they could fit their role. So he could probably drive a tank if needed.

[@heocon0541]

And makes some few drifts on his way

[@nicolasbourelier1017]

No thank you, we don’t need any more civilians killed

[@BossAshtin65]

Imagine being reunited with your home for over so many years ago.

[@Joaquin546]

home? more like an improvised coffin!

[@Marvin_Ave]

@@Joaquin546 it's actually improvised home

[@kingsizehomer1219]

@@Joaquin546 sherman was good at the time in africa, italy, Pacific front, France and germany. German big cats were rare and shermans were upgraded to fight them firefly, 76mm and firefly you idiots calling the sherman a coffin or a death trap think choco mikl comes out of brown milk

[@R3DX_EXE]

@@Joaquin546 That's the T-34, how many times have you seen the crews surviving that death trap of a tank?

[@Joaquin546]

@@R3DX_EXE well I was born in the ‘90s in the US so zero

[@jusnuts1443]

I served in a tank regiment in Germany in the late 80's, early 90's. We had a Sherman tank on the hill in front of our line companies. We had M1A1 Abrams tanks. Our regiment was nicknamed the "Silver Lions". Our Sherman tank was nicknamed "Lady Lionheart".

[@sgrizzo48]

That's lovely in a sense

[@jusnuts1443]

@@sgrizzo48 I pulled motor pool guard many times in that stint. I guarded 58 M1 tanks, valued at that time at $1.1 million apiece. Full combat gear, weapon in hand and.... Not one blessed round of ammo. I Am Jus' Nuts!!!

[@gigaman1234]

You served in the Cold War?

[@cowz4967]

Mand o I think it was the war in Iraq

[@koltleo]

"Silver Lions" War Thunder Currency.

[@avariciousandrew6921]

"Clarence, why are we pointing the turret at the Volkswagen?"

[@ab3ki84hayate]

"Hans?, Are we gonna die?" "Perhaps."

[@booqrdoit9138]

Clarence was about to run a Toyota over

[@Mikehunthertz51]

I can't blame them.

[@Joseka]

The tank would say: "Our last travel, my old friend"

[@jacoathananadilla8269]

Aww

[@AdonInvictus329]

“Jerries, I’m coming back!”

[@airbornewarningandcontrols396]

*tank shell loading noises*

[@kal.50bmg32]

Germans: "So what?"

[@achuu7917]

Boom!

[@kal.50bmg32]

@@achuu7917 Now he´s gone also.

[@pineda3758]

but A panther appear and Shoot.

[@leosypher9993]

I met someone who was in the 101st airborne, I thanked him for his service, as I do all veterans. I was so honored to meet such a legend

[@10_points]

I met captain winters in 2010. I was only 3 but my parents have a picture of me with him because my grandfather fought in ww2. My parents were truck drivers and happened to be in Pennsylvania and they went to meet him. I was only 3 but I remember the feeling of looking into his eyes and seeing a man who once helped save all of Freedom

[@muhammadtaufiqhailkhairila2790]

Hey you want an abrams. No. I want sherman

[@combat8522]

M4A3E8 M4A3E2 M4

[@LunaloonandEvaplayful]

@@combat8522 m61 supersherman

[@xGoodOldSmurfehx]

Shermans were garbage, you would be an absolute idiot to pick a Sherman over any other US tank of its era

[@LNERMallard]

@@xGoodOldSmurfehx Yeah, but sheer numbers are what win a war. The Sherman, as shitty as it was, was very easy to mass-produce.

[@TheCarDemotic]

@@xGoodOldSmurfehx So in 1942 you would rather be in a M3 Lee? Or a M3 Stuart? I don’t think so. Even if it was 1945 the Sherman is still the best bet. The Pershing was a nightmare to maintain mechanically. The Stuarts gun was underpowered by late war. The Chaffe was a decent light tank but usage was fairly limited and the gun wasn’t the best suited for fighting enemy armor.

[@idkwhattodo4932]

Literally 2 tanks shooting at each other: Civilian driving by: "chuckles" I'm in danger

[@erich_hartman3068]

Yup they shoot civilian woman thought were secret nazi escaped....

[@rizalanditama4709]

The tanks weren't shooting each other. Those two tanks are literally shoot those civillian because they thought its an enemy. Actually there is a husband and wife in that car. They wanted to run out of town because they could not stand the conditions and supplies in their place. So from that they tried to escape but unfortunately there were 2 tanks behind them. They had been given warning shots but were ignored. And finally they were shot dead in that car

[@erich_hartman3068]

@@rizalanditama4709 true

[@houastros9691]

There’s a video about this on KZbin and it has interviews from servicemen in both the US and German tank that we’re fighting to try to figure out who hit the civilians. Pretty sure the German tank ended up being the culprit

[@MistahFox]

@@houastros9691 It was actually unknown. Both the gunner of the pershing and the bow gunner of the panzer felt guilty for it. After they became friends, they visited the family of the woman they had killed and found closure. Anyway you should read Spearhead, it's extremely good.

[@soundwavegamer2321]

I always love seeing veterans being reunited with their tank it’s such a beautiful site But in all seriousness this man deserves nothing but thanks from me and millions of people for risking his life all those years ago.

[@MistahFox]

He's a great man, I met him in person and the book from his perspective in WW2, 'Spearhead', is one of the best books I have ever read.

[@superbux4523]

Tank: d- d- dad? The veteran: s- s- son?! Tank: DAD! The veteran: SON! ITS BEEN TO LONG!

[@saintmastajohn8092]

Went to get the gas

[@reclusiarchgrimaldus1269]

@@saintmastajohn8092 I shouldn't have laughed at this

[@saintmastajohn8092]

@@reclusiarchgrimaldus1269 lol

[@notrius7754]

Since i've last seen my son lost to this monster...

[@tanaysaxena1139]

@@saintmastajohn8092 💀

[@dolphinssuck2788]

It’s so sad that he is one of the last pieces of history.

[@kyoi7568]

Not true , you don’t know what’s coming in the future. But he would be one of the last pieces of history in that war he fought in

[@patriciaarsenault2440]

Ww2 history

[@dolphinssuck2788]

Ok I’m sorry

[@patriciaarsenault2440]

@@dolphinssuck2788 it’s ok I’m just clarifying we all make mistakes

[@dolphinssuck2788]

Oh ok

[@sonofizzy]

A real American Hero! God Bless him and those who fought beside him. For those who have passed, God Bless their souls and the families who they left behind.

[@david-1775]

Clarency Smoyer was the gunner on an M26 Pershing (at the time it was a T26E3 as it was a test vehicle). The M26 has a larger 90mm gun that could take out German Panthers and Tigers from the front. In this video Smoyer is riding on an M4 Sherman. An M4 was the type of tank that had just been knocked out by the German Panther. Three of the five men in the Sherman died. Smoyer and his tank advanced up a side street and engaged the Panther shortly after it knocked out the M4 Sherman. Smoyer's tank drove around the corner and the Panther turned its turret to point directly at the Pershing. The Pershing was a brand new tank and as the tank came around the corner the German tank commander hesitated. He was most likely expecting a tall M4 Sherman and not the M26 that looked more like a German tank. The few seconds of hesitation was enough and Smoyer fired first, setting the Panther on fire. He fired twice more into the tank to make sure it was knocked out. Of the five crew in the Panther three lived, one died in the tank and the other in a field hospital from his wounds. The fight was recorded by cameraman Jim Bates.

[@nuttynuts4601]

Ah I thought something was off. I saw the m26 (which I thought was the t26) firing the gun, not the sherman behind. I guess they had the information off.

[@david-1775]

@@nuttynuts4601 The T26E3 and M26 are the same, it was just that the tank hadn't been fully finalized/adopted so it still had the T26E3 designation.

[@sayorisione8868]

Finally a person who knows his stuff.

[@MistahFox]

It's not wrong, he served in a Sherman for most of his time in combat.

[@david-1775]

@@MistahFox I didn't say it was wrong. In this video, the film clip from Cologne, he is no longer in the M4 but in the M26 Pershing (T26E3). Smoyer and his crew were most likely switched to the Pershing in February, 1945.

[@McShaggswell]

Wasn't Clarence Smoyer in an M26 Pershing, not a Sherman?

[@deadhead654]

He was at first in a Sherman. Was one of the first crews to re-fit to the Pershing. Get the book "Spearhead". It is a great read

[@McShaggswell]

@@deadhead654 I'll have to check that book out. Thanks!

[@chucknormalaid]

@@deadhead654 wait when they showed footage of that Pershing and when they circled his head , is that actually him? 1:04

[@deadhead654]

@@chucknormalaid Yes that is him.

[@Tsagia]

@@deadhead654 Bless you,I was confused when they showed the Pershing footage.

[@tonpalacios2964]

Men like him are national treasures. from one vet to another, thank you for your service sir

[@definitelyjustcj4148]

This is so Wholesome. God Bless these veterans

[@ahmiv8825]

Smoyers tank was a Pershing

[@jonrivnyak2156]

he was in a sherman first and then got one of the first pershings

[@ghostarmy1106]

This is the definition of 'well yes but actually no'

[@MistahFox]

Definitely read 'Spearhead' the book about Smoyer and the crews he served with in WW2

[@BrodyAlsonze]

His first tank was a Sherman when he enlisted into the spearhead division

[@InvaderZim_]

“The younger generations see something like this and learn a little something about our elders, and the sacrifices they made” I wish y’all were right about this. 2020 is hell

[@marcelinethevampirespleen8492]

It's so sweet that he remembers the civilian so many years later

[@redonk1740]

"war is hell" don't forget that.

[@kirbyjohnson5487]

That was great! We need more story's like this in today's crazy world. God bless that many for his services.

[@nickbuckley4371]

God bless the the veterans and their tanks

[@guyatwood6969]

God bless our veterans. What I would give, just to shake his hand!!

[@themainman2827]

_"Youre as beautifull as the day i lost you."_

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

The pure joy on his face. I can only imagine this would be close to the feeling of getting your car back from high school, but in good condition.

[@mctoasty420]

Passed away in October 2022, at age 99. Rest in peace you absolute legend❤

[@noviebongay3318]

I salut to him thank you for your service sir🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲😭😞

[@whatmane8515]

Seeing him smile is nice

[@muffs55mercury61]

Last I heard there are about 310,000 World War II vets still alive. Hug, salute and thank one while you can.

[@Modernww2fare]

Worldwide or just in the US?

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@Modernww2fare The US

[@jimmypea2207]

This is why I don't blow my horn at old men asleep at the traffic light. They could be heroes.

[@kindofawizard8681]

Same. I was getting some snacks and some energy drinks before work and there was an old man holding up the line while chatting away and laughing with the cashier. I was incredibly annoyed initially, but when he turned to realize there was a line behind him and began to hurry his purchase, i noticed "Airborne" on his hat and alot of other emblems i didn't recognize. But i understood well enough that he had probably been through hell and back at one point in his life just so i could have the privilege of being annoyed by him on my way to my job where i make good money and don't have to worry about anyone shooting at me while i do it.

[@danodamano2581]

Much more to this story than was discussed. That book is amazing and should be made into a movie.

[@beanclan12345]

Wow thats so nice look at the smile of that veteran

[@isabelpinedo3945]

Thank you for service & sacrifice smoyer

[@Shanzo-X]

Wow so glad to see the gunner of the tank that took out a Panther still alive and still battle ready with his Tank!

[@carolinac3111]

Just let him have it that will be nice enough

[@Max0800]

You think it’s free

[@thIDthIRreenactor]

Carolina C a sherman in that shape is 1 restored, 2 for reenacting, 3 costs over 10 grand or more like 100 grand so yea no yea I see where it would be cool if he had it but you have to realize he wont be around to long to take care of it but I am honored that he got to ride in it

[@patriciaarsenault2440]

*starts driving towards Argentina* “THAT LITTLE SHITS NOT DEAD YET!!”

[@mattpeterson3157]

Always Honor our service men and women . They're real life heros

[@Shizuka935]

This video make me crying But in the good sense

[@landonmiller95]

It’s sad to think that kids of my generation (gen z) hate these guys. Without these men and women we. Wouldn’t have freedom today.

[@grandmofftarkin6415]

This guys are toughess of the toughess, ww2 vets are considered on u.s military mount rushmore..

[@kindlytoxic1472]

yep, and all they get is a big ass grave yard

[@brennanleadbetter9708]

@kindlytoxic1472 wow, just wow. Show a little respect would ya?

[@smallboto]

Am glad he got to reunite he’s memory

[@Toddfrommario]

He’s so happy!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@davidmurray5399]

The vehicle pictured that was dueling with Panther in front of the Koln Cathedral was one of the M26 Pershing's attached to the 9th and 3rd Armored Divisions.

[@ScharfeZungel]

The tank may not be "bullet proof" but the men who served inside them surely are. RESPECT.

[@Dragoneer]

It’s only the vets who were very young during the war that remain now. Soon there’ll be none...

[@GodKoalaa]

🥀🥀Sadly he died on September 27th 2022 🥀🥀 gone but not forgotten❤

[@gasparddegaie4619]

Cet homme a libéré ma ville 👏👏🤝

[@vigilantetophat5711]

Those tanks are so awesome and wicked

[@primal_guy1526]

Everything's fun and games until a Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausfrung H. with a former Wehrmacht tanker approaches from the opposite direction.

[@sharkk127]

My grandpa passed away about e years ago, sure he didnt do anything that impressive because he worked on a us navy cargo ship during ww2 which some of my family say was chased by a sub once but hes still a veteran

[@satyu3273]

Everybody gangster until my grandpa turns up with his Tiger 1

[@apollyon185]

There's a book about this guy. The book is called "Spearhead". Great book to read and its awesome to see this guy reunite with a tank similar to the one he fought in. (Although he was later transferred to the T-26 Pershing.)

[@coolmikey4022]

The last man standing respect ✊🏼 👏🏻

[@P51_mustang]

Once a tanker always a tanker

[@chrisrohls4853]

When I was 18(26 now) I was just dropped out of school beginning my drug addiction and start to what I thought were the worst years of my life...until you hear some shit like this and just think damn I didn’t have it that bad.

[@slashtonio9216]

People say this alot and I understand that something's are worse then others but it's not a competition for who's life is worse and each person has a different mind set with different tolerance to different situations don't say you didn't have it bad my friend because I'm sure you did we are not all the same and react differently to the same or different situations have a good one :)

[@phazhusapru1860]

@chris rohls ... get the hell out of that world ... stay safe

[@chrisrohls4853]

Slashtonio exactly, it’s never a pissing contest on who had it worse..but when I look at my life and look at others I could’ve been way more far off, all the years doing heroin and never shot up that’s one example to me of it going better than it could’ve. But I agree, I worked in recovery for over a year too

[@chrisrohls4853]

phazhu sapru yessir almost 2 years clean! Thanks brotha happy turkey day to you and your family wherever you may be 😁❤️

[@slashtonio9216]

@@chrisrohls4853 good job man keep it up :)

[@MistahFox]

Anyone interested, anyone commenting, please read the book by Adam Makos. It's called Spearhead and its about this man, Clarence Smoyer and many other tankers serving with the Third Armored during WW2. It's genuinely the best book I have ever read.

[@kuroazrem5376]

This has to be one of the most exiting moments ever!

[@Oof_2nd]

Everyone gangsta till someone shouts "FIRE!"

[@abstractguyxd7973]

On one!!

[@Greggery]

Crewman: Sir, were going off course... Where are we going? Clarence: Germany

[@harryexx2]

What an honor it was to fight for your country...........

[@pbj8961]

That's an M4 Sherman. But the fight in Cologne was between an M26 Pershing and a Panther

[@jakebkelso1439]

What a hero

[@hyvo9800]

i recognized that footage from mark feltons channel where he details this specific tank battle

[@Brandon_J]

Im very sad I havent met a veteran in my lifetime, bearing in mind Im from the UK. My great grandfather fought in the pacific. He became a POW to the Japanese. I was only a few months old when he died, but apparently he used to have nightmares about the Japanese, and he'd wake up screaming and shouting. He absolutely hated the Japanese even in his old age. He feared them greatly and refused to ever talk about them or what had happened to him. I do wish I was able to speak to him now and appreciate him just being in his presence and making him a nice cup of tea with a smile, as a thank you for his service. One of the few things I want to do in my lifetime is to meet a veteran, Id be honoured just to be able to speak to such fine people. Its a very sad thought that this decade will be the last for one of the bravest generations in history.

[@Ikarosflow]

I bet one ride in this beauty and he feels like 20 again. Good surprise.

[@NimecastWAR]

"Which Way to Berlin?"

[@762459]

That tank still has some good suspension, that it can carry the weight of this dude's massive balls.

[@warrenguardiario4828]

The balls of steel

[@chloekit4861]

He’s a true G

[@ChizAfterHours]

Rest in peace, Clarence. 1923 - 2022

[@CRAZYUNCLE117]

Not all heroes wear capes, some times they wear a uniform.

[@pm1759]

For those interested there is a book about his experience including the cologne duel and a couple other who were in the same division and a german who fought in the same places Smoyer did its Name is Spearhead by Adam Makos

[@ShanTalks-Podcast]

Amazing

[@v_vexx]

now THATS true love

[@retricor]

But the tank he was a gunner in was a Pershing (in the photo), but he reunited with a Sherman... unless he crewed 2 tanks? Idk, i would love to know

[@chadjustice8560]

Only 25 Pershing's we're sent to Europe late in the war so he would have started in a Sherman.

[@retricor]

@@chadjustice8560 alright, thx for clarifying, i was always interested about the Eagle 7 Pershing of cologne

[@Alan-gb4wh]

Just bought the book, gonna start it tonight.

[@jtm726]

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Thank you for your service.

[@carloreneeventura8714]

Their sacrifices shouldn't be in vain.. use the time they bought with their lives wisely

[@Ryan_7389]

My uncle was a tanker in Vietnam

[@Teefs69]

I like watching memoirs of ww 2 channel. I hope he get interviewed there.

[@SomeKrieger]

Honor the fallen as you would your ancestors

[@whatsreal7506]

The problem with reporters/writers is that their facts are questionable

[@HappiKarafuru]

One of the last of Patton's own He will remember his CiC word "Go east, and go like hell"

[@bluered297]

Everybody gangsta till he gets ptsd and starts blastin the cannon

[@ElessarEstel]

He wears a modern PT jacket. That's awesome lol

[@RjRocket]

Everybody gangster till grandpa drives the sherman back to berlin

[@aviationgaming1564]

Just like when a soldier get deployed and comes back after a year and reunites with his or her dog

[@xXSpringXx_]

Grandpa is getting in the tank! Oh god, PTSD!

[@Mikehunthertz51]

That's dope i ❤ it.

[@ldm6752]

Clickbait. That's not his tank that he fought in, just one like it.

[@jimcasimirdiazbianes]

yes its pretty obvious

[@david-1775]

The civilian car was also fired on by the German tank crew. The German gunner, Gustav Schafër, said he didn't shoot the car on purpose but the car just happened to drive through the battle as he was firing. Both Smoyer and Schafër fired at the car. It is also possible that infantry from both sides might have also fired at the car. The woman killed in the car was Katharina Esser, and she was 26. She was the youngest of four sisters, she was called "Kathi." She worked in a grocery store for Hans Delling who was the driver of the car and was also killed. He was 40 years old.

[@TheCarDemotic]

Interesting

[@th3lev1athan22]

It's amazing that he served as the gunner on the m26 pershing the video is also pretty shocking aswell when you see the pershing duel a panther tank.

[@envitech02]

Veterans from all sides are disappearing. Every year fewer and fewer veterans remain. The youngest who fought in 1945 would be just a few years shy of being centenarians today. Many are practically on their last legs. Honour them while we still can. They are our last and final connection to the most cataclysmic time in human history we call the World War 2.

[@thathologuy8299]

He was the gunner of a M26 Pershing tank that fought a Panther tank in a proper duel? Epic.

[@combat8522]

Everyone take time to honor😌😌

[@BikerGirlTraveler]

God bless him for his service and I love that he had fun. WWII vets have some of the best stories to tell. When I was a paramedic and I got a vet going to the hospital and they were OK, I loved talking to them. Just amazing people! They never failed at making me get emotional and very appreciative for their sacrifice. But the tittle was misleading, click bate. The tittle says that he was reunited with the tank he served in. He was NOT reunited with the tank he he served in, he was given a ride in a tank like the one he served it. Big difference, still nice, but different. For those of you lacking reading comprehension or common sense. It would be like me saying that I reunited with an ex, when I mean to say that I got together with someone who looks just like ex. Not the same thing! It would be a compliment to my ex, but not the same.

[@davidmurray5399]

I'll bet he's glad he doesn't have to change any of the track sections or work on the engine.

[@OneSkiWonder]

Reported for misleading title. I explained the video is still good, but the title needs to be corrected, because right now, it's clickbait. Finding the same tank that a soldier fought in in WWII would be incredible. But it's not the same tank. It's not even the same model of tank. Left me disappointed, CBS Boston.

[@matthillman3922]

There's a game called Medal of Honor Spearhead