ForeverMissed
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His Life
JimKucera001

"636th Tank Destroyer Battalion"

November 15, 2013
     The story of the 636th TD Battalion is one that should be told.  As a separate battalion it never received the recogniton & credit for it's accomplishments.  The battalion was formed from units of the 36th Infantry Division, trained with the 36th and was attached to the Divison when it went overseas and was with it the majority of time in combat.  In addition to serving with the 36th Division, the battalion or units of the battalion served with the Third, Forty Fifth, Thirty Fourth, First Armored, Fourteenth Armored Divisions, The Sixth and Second Corps, the New Zealanders and British.  They were part of the Fifth, Seventh, and Third Armies while participating in seven campaigns and two "D" day landings.  At all times the Battalion carried out its assignments with distinction.  Their record is one that stands out as superior to any other Tank Destroyer Battalion.  The members of the battalion are proud of having been members of the 636th. 

"Serving His Country"

November 15, 2013

        James was inducted into the US Army on Feb. 25, 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  On Feb. 27, 1942 over 200 men, mostly from Nebraska & the states surrounding it, arrived at Camp Bowie, Texas & were assigned to 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion.  Through some foul up these men were sent directly to the 636th instead of a Basic Training Center.  James was a Tec 5 Tank Driver; Reconnaissance or Scout Car Driver & operated the Thompson sub-machine gun.  As a tank driver he drove a light M-5 tank in combat from Salerno, Italy northward.  He was in first section of tank platoon & was responsible for selection of best approach to objective, camouflage & minor maintenance of vehicle.  James was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in combat on June 23, 1944, in Italy.  I remember him saying he was to receive a Silver Star Medal, but he told them the other guys were with him, so they were all given a Bronze Star Medal.  Here is the citation:  James W. Kucera, 37146852, Technician Fifth Grade, "Reconnaissance Company, 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion" for heroic achievement in combat on 23 June 1944 in Italy.  Tec 5 Kucera was a member of a scouting party that located an enemy observation post.  Receiving permission to raid the position, Tec 5 Kucera and the others of the patrol rushed the house and captured five enemy non-commissioned officers.  As they brought the prisoners from the house, Tec 5 Kucera and his comrades received mortar, rifle and machine pistol fire from approximately one hundred enemy troops who rushed them from the nearby woods.  In the confusion, the prisoners tried to escape but Tec 5 Kucera and the others of the patrol subdued them in a fierce hand to hand struggle.  Then amidst a rain of enemy fire, the raiding party made their way to friendly lines with their captives.  Courageously drawing the enemy's fire on himself, Tec 5 Kucera remained behind to cover the withdrawal of his comrades.  Not until they had reached safety did he join them. Serving with the tank destroyers he was awarded the Purple Heart, at the Salerno Amphibious Invasion, due to a shrapnel wound.  An Oak Leaf Cluster, in the Battle of Southern France, where he sustained a shrapnel neck injury.  He also had a scar, from a bullet that just barely hit his cheek.  All his fighting was with the Fifth Army in Italy & the Seventh Army in France, being under the command of Gen. Patsch.  He was in these countries while overseas:  Africa, Italy, France, Germany & Austria.  James was given his "honorable discharge" at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on the point system, he having had 104.  He was wearing 5 Battle Stars, which he earned at Salerno, Italy; Rome, Italy; in Southern France: in Rhineland & in Germany.  He also has the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster & Good Conduct ribbon.