Last Known Member of WWII 37th Tank Battalion Passes Away

The 37th Armor Alumni mourn the passing of Tom Sator. Tom was the last known living member of the 37th Tank Battalion and passed away 30 November 2017 is California. The Alumni have just received the communication from Tom’s son.

Tom joined our 2010 reunion in San Francisco (photo below). He kept in touch with our Alumni and would often comment on the monthly newsletter. Below please find his speech that was read during the March 2017 El Paso Reunion. Tom will be surely missed. Until the green Tom…

“To My Fellow Comrades of the 37th Tank Battalion:

It is great honor I address you on your 22nd annual reunion especially since this reunion in in conjunction with today’s 37th Tank Battalion In Texas.
Nearly 70 years ago the 37th Tank Battalion continued fighting East in Germany to complete the liberation of Europe. Our company and battalion had taken significant losses since we landed at Normandy some 8 months before
Our Battalion was full of famous names at that time such as Abrams, Leach, Boggess, French. These men were all examples of the Army’s Finest.
As years have gone by, new names began to echo greatness around battalion. Names like Hill, Noles, Mallory, Melton, Kennedy, and Tedesco to name a few. Regardless of where the unit was – in peace or war, the 37th has always had the greatest men and the highest standards.
Today those names are now once again placed by new heroes.. Men like Braeger, Jones, Montalvo, Olivas and Behan to just name a few. To Today’s heroes, I challenge you to continue to set the highest standards for our battalion while taking care of our fine soldiers and honoring our legacy!

Courage Conquers Gentlemen! ”

Tom Sator
B Company 1944-1946
World War II