(Courtesy of the Bataan Project via Donald L. Looking for an alternative to farm work, Bill Gentry joined a National Guard tank company before the war and wound up leading a tank platoon in the Philippines. The five tanks then turned on their sirens, pulled out of their hides, and roared down the highway past the startled Japanese infantry. Gentry decided that by that time he’d done his duty and fired a prearranged shot.

Gentry reached behind his back, pulled out the wavy-bladed kris dagger he had bought in Manila, and slit the man’s throat. According to Gentry’s account, one curious soldier left the formation and began to climb on Gentry’s tank. The Japanese troops double-timed down the road, dropping to the ground periodically although they weren’t under fire, giving shouts including the soon-to-be-famous “ banzai,” then standing up and resuming their march. He covered himself with brush and began his report. The Japanese came into view that afternoon of the 28th to see clearly, Gentry had to stay outside his tank.

This time headquarters gave him an additional order: to radio back the tactics the Japanese used in their attack. Gentry, 23, had been with the company less than a week, but his platoon had already been selected several times as its rear guard.

Bill Gentry’s tank platoon had been left behind. 192nd Tank Battalion’s Company C followed the retreating army. As was their custom, the Philippine Army infantry had pulled back early in the evening most of the U.S. The day before-December 27, 1941-Japanese infantrymen had forded a wide river just north of him and were making their way relentlessly southward. He had positioned them beneath a handful of stilted huts in a village on Luzon, the largest of the Philippine islands. Gentry checked the placement and camouflage of his platoon’s five M3 light tanks. America’s First Armored Victory Came at a Time When Loss Was the Norm CloseįIRST LIEUTENANT William H.

Japanese tank battles wwii