Lafayette G. Pool, "Lafee" was born in Texas in 1919, as a result of the marriage of a French citizen with a Native American. He had a twin brother who served in the army, fighting in the Pacific, and returning safely. 
Lafee At age 22, he enlisted in the 3rd Section of the CIA "I" from 32 th Armored Regiment. In 1941 his regiment was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. In June 1944, landed in Normandy and the 29th, the brand new Lafayette sergeant, moves into combat for the first time in the battle of Villierfossard. Subsequently take part in the battles of Falaise, Fromentel, Colombrier, Dison and Namur, in French territory, also from Eindhoven in Holland, and Bastogne Liege in Belgium, to enter by Aachen, Germany.
During his stay in Europe, were allocated to Pool 4 Shermans, the first being a M4A1 and the following M4A1/76W. They all had the same name "In the Mood ", having the misfortune to lose many times the impact of Panzerfaust, air strikes or flack88 mortals, who were posted among the trees. Lafayette
G Poll, was distinguished by an unusual ferocity in battle, even to his opponents envestida if necessary. Another feature of Sergeant Pool, was the speed with which maneuvered his car, resulting in a difficult target to hit by enemy tanks.
His crew was unconditional him even at the worst times, reaching an impressive rapport, the four crewmen working like clockwork precision.
One of the more rare feats of Lafayette G. Pool, is what happened in Colombelles (in Lower Normandy). At dawn, the Sherman, ascended a hill, when to go back almost collides head on with a Panther who was stationed there waiting. A quick escape from his crew, and a prodigious turn, prevented the firing of tank Germany, which managed to strike a projectile penetrating in the turret, he did blow. He then spotted another panther, who were escorted to several vehicles and trucks with troops Sdkf. Pool quickly calculate the distance to the eye, and said to his gunner, Ground, 1500 yards, fuegoo! and the shot, hit squarely on his turret. Quickly rush against vehicles and leave them on fire in the blink of an eye. It was noteworthy to see how Del Bogs, the ammunition, or carrying a gun again 76mm, giving no respite to the enemy almost Teutonic.
One of his "In the Mood", lost it in Falaise, when an accurate shot from a Panther made them turn over, causing the overwhelming feeling of being trapped, of being face down the hatch. At the end of an entire day were trapped inside until their rescue. Poll, was so affected by this shift that since then never closed the hatch and even used to look out
it in battle to see the enemy face to face. Fighting
always with the hatch open and torso exposed, Pool said, "I like to see who shoots me!" and "We were the invisible arm of the wrath of the Lord ..... we fought in a war that we saw just as the battle between good and evil"
His last battle, fought in Stolberg (Germany) on September 19, 1944 when his Sherman covered the right flank of the Allied advance. Poll, had the misfortune of having the ammunition Bogs, passing a medical check so his replacement was a callow youth. In a small clearing saw a German battery bet. Poll commands to load and shoot, but the new ammunition, the gun jammed and unable to shoot on time. This delay is used by the envelope battery, dealing a projectile 88, the turret Poll, which ejected 10 meters from the car. A second shot, the Sherman burst into pieces and as a result, Lafayette G Poll, lost a leg, but fortunately is rescued in time and returned to the United States.
During the four months that Pool and his group were in combat, they attributed the destruction of 258 armored vehicles, taking 250 prisoners and the death of more than 1000 enemy soldiers. It was recommended three times a congressional Medal of Honor, but was dismissed the application on the theory that a medal to a tank, was not as honorable as a foot soldier. Anyway, were awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star and Purple Heart. He also received the Grand Cross fourragères Belgian and French Legion of Honor.
On his return to his homeland, Poll is placed an orthopedic prosthesis, can go quickly. In his convalescence studying business and mount a gas station, but nobstante Poll, ask to rejoin the army and is accepted back in 1948. Lafayette tanks exercise instructor, and will be even as a consultant in the Korean War. Lafayette
G Poll retires from the army in 1960 and lived in Killen (Texas) with his wife, three sons and three daughters. His oldest son Jerry, became Green Beret lieutenant, disappeared in Cambodia in 1970. Her younger son Ricky, he served in the 101 Airborne in Vietnam, returning safe and sound, with the bronze medal.
On May 30, 1991, Lafayette G Poll, dies at the age of 72 years.
Roy Gardner
4-January-2011
During his stay in Europe, were allocated to Pool 4 Shermans, the first being a M4A1 and the following M4A1/76W. They all had the same name "In the Mood ", having the misfortune to lose many times the impact of Panzerfaust, air strikes or flack88 mortals, who were posted among the trees. Lafayette
G Poll, was distinguished by an unusual ferocity in battle, even to his opponents envestida if necessary. Another feature of Sergeant Pool, was the speed with which maneuvered his car, resulting in a difficult target to hit by enemy tanks.
His crew was unconditional him even at the worst times, reaching an impressive rapport, the four crewmen working like clockwork precision.
One of the more rare feats of Lafayette G. Pool, is what happened in Colombelles (in Lower Normandy). At dawn, the Sherman, ascended a hill, when to go back almost collides head on with a Panther who was stationed there waiting. A quick escape from his crew, and a prodigious turn, prevented the firing of tank Germany, which managed to strike a projectile penetrating in the turret, he did blow. He then spotted another panther, who were escorted to several vehicles and trucks with troops Sdkf. Pool quickly calculate the distance to the eye, and said to his gunner, Ground, 1500 yards, fuegoo! and the shot, hit squarely on his turret. Quickly rush against vehicles and leave them on fire in the blink of an eye. It was noteworthy to see how Del Bogs, the ammunition, or carrying a gun again 76mm, giving no respite to the enemy almost Teutonic.
One of his "In the Mood", lost it in Falaise, when an accurate shot from a Panther made them turn over, causing the overwhelming feeling of being trapped, of being face down the hatch. At the end of an entire day were trapped inside until their rescue. Poll, was so affected by this shift that since then never closed the hatch and even used to look out
it in battle to see the enemy face to face. Fighting
always with the hatch open and torso exposed, Pool said, "I like to see who shoots me!" and "We were the invisible arm of the wrath of the Lord ..... we fought in a war that we saw just as the battle between good and evil"
His last battle, fought in Stolberg (Germany) on September 19, 1944 when his Sherman covered the right flank of the Allied advance. Poll, had the misfortune of having the ammunition Bogs, passing a medical check so his replacement was a callow youth. In a small clearing saw a German battery bet. Poll commands to load and shoot, but the new ammunition, the gun jammed and unable to shoot on time. This delay is used by the envelope battery, dealing a projectile 88, the turret Poll, which ejected 10 meters from the car. A second shot, the Sherman burst into pieces and as a result, Lafayette G Poll, lost a leg, but fortunately is rescued in time and returned to the United States.
During the four months that Pool and his group were in combat, they attributed the destruction of 258 armored vehicles, taking 250 prisoners and the death of more than 1000 enemy soldiers. It was recommended three times a congressional Medal of Honor, but was dismissed the application on the theory that a medal to a tank, was not as honorable as a foot soldier. Anyway, were awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star and Purple Heart. He also received the Grand Cross fourragères Belgian and French Legion of Honor.
On his return to his homeland, Poll is placed an orthopedic prosthesis, can go quickly. In his convalescence studying business and mount a gas station, but nobstante Poll, ask to rejoin the army and is accepted back in 1948. Lafayette tanks exercise instructor, and will be even as a consultant in the Korean War. Lafayette
G Poll retires from the army in 1960 and lived in Killen (Texas) with his wife, three sons and three daughters. His oldest son Jerry, became Green Beret lieutenant, disappeared in Cambodia in 1970. Her younger son Ricky, he served in the 101 Airborne in Vietnam, returning safe and sound, with the bronze medal.
On May 30, 1991, Lafayette G Poll, dies at the age of 72 years.
Roy Gardner
4-January-2011
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