The Real War Daddy – Destroyed 12 Tanks and 258 Armoured Vehicles in 81 Days

Lafayette G. Pool (July 23, 1919 – May 30, 1991)

Lafayette G. Pool was an American tank crew and tank platoon commander in World War II and is widely recognized as the US tank ace of aces. He has been credited with over 1,000 kills, 250 German prisoners of war taken, 12 confirmed tanks, 258 armored vehicles, and self-propelled gun destroyed. All of which took place in a combat career that lasted only 81 days; from 27th of June 1944 to 15th of September 1944 with three different Sherman Tanks.
Pool was born on July 23rd, 1919, in Odem, Texas and he enlisted in the Army on June 13th, 1941, in 1942 he joined the newly formed 3rd Armored Division in which he served until he was wounded.
Pool served with Combat Command A of the US 3rd Armored Division in France between June and September 1944. He successively commanded three Sherman tanks, an M4A1, and two M4A1(76)Ws, all of which bore the nickname "IN THE MOOD" I-III. He kept the same crew throughout the war, with Corporal Wilbert "Red" Richards as the driver, Private First Class Bert Close as the assistant driver and bow gunner, Corporal Willis Oiler as the gunner and T/5 Del Boggs as the loader.
His first Sherman lasted from 23rd of June until 29th of June 1944, when Combat Command A attacked for the first time in Normandy at Villiers-Fossard. Pool's Sherman was hit by a Panzerfaust causing him and his crew to bail out.
The second Sherman lasted from around the 1st of July 1944 to the 17th of August, when Pool was leading Combat Command A which was in the process of clearing remaining German forces from the village of Fromental. This tank was knocked out by friendly fire from a P-38.
The third and last Sherman was destroyed on the night of the 15th of September while CCA was attempting to force the Siegfried Line at Munsterbusch, southwest of Aachen. His tank was hit by a Panther, which was lying in an ambush, and while Pool was trying to backup his damaged Sherman, the Panther hit it a second time. The second round caught the tank on the edge of a ditch and flipped it over.
The same round blew Pool out of the commander's hatch, slashing open one of his legs with a shell splinter. The leg was so badly mangled that it had to be amputated, Pool was lucky to survive.
After 22 months of rehabilitation and being fitted with a prosthesis, Pool opened a filling station and garage at his home in Sinton, Texas, followed by several other businesses, before he enlisted in the Army and was sent into the Transportation Corps. With the intervention of General Allen, he finally managed to "come home" to the 3rd Armored Division where he would be an instructor in automotive mechanics.He retired from the Army on September 19, 1960 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Second Class at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Afterwards he went to business college, followed by a job as a preacher for $25.00 a week. He also coached little league.
His crew gave him the nickname "War Daddy" which was used in the 2014 move Fury for the fictional tank commander played by Brad Pitt.

Poole also served in the Korean War and his son was killed in action in Vietnam. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 2.

Pool received many medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Fourragère, and the Légion d'Honneur. He died on March 30th, 1991. [contributed by FAG member #48021049]

DSC Citation Synopsis
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Lafayette Green Pool (ASN: 38032791), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 32d Armored Regiment, 3d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in France, from 29 to 31 August 1944. Commanding the lead tank, alone, Staff Sergeant Pool accounted for four German tanks, three anti-tank guns, approximately 50 unarmored vehicles and an overwhelming number of enemy personally killed or wounded. His unflinching courage and inspired leadership in the face of devastating hostile fire permitted the rapid advance of his task force with a minimum of casualties. Staff Sergeant Pool's extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Armored Division, and the United States Army.
Source: Find a Grave