Lafayette G. Pool was an American tank-crew and tank-platoon commander in World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 and is widely recognized as the US tank ace of aces, credited with 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 total vehicle and self-propelled gun kills. He has received many medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...

, the Legion of Merit

Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...

, the Silver Star

Silver Star

The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....

, the Purple Heart

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...

, the Fourragère

Fourragère

The fourragère is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, that is shaped as a braided cord. The award has been firstly adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.- History :...

, and the Légion d'honneur

Légion d'honneur

The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...

.

War Service

Pool served with the US 3rd Armored Division in France between June and September 1944. He was commander of three Sherman tanks, (an M4A1, and two M4A1(76)W) all of which bore the nickname "IN THE MOOD", and all of which were eventually shot out from under him.

Pool fought in 21 separate engagements during his time in France before eventually being knocked out of the war when he lost his leg following an ambush by a German '88'.

After rehabilitation and being fitted with a prosthesis he returned to the Army in 1948 and went on to serve in the Korean War

Korean War

The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...

. He left the Army in 1960 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2.