In 1997, 53 years after sacrificing his life on the battlefield, Sergeant Ruben Rivers was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The 761st Tank Battalion was an independent tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. The men of the 761st stood upright and were even called “cocky.” The men were given a … The 761st Gun Club of Illinois is name after to pay homage to the Army’s 761st Tank Battalion. Ruben Rivers (1921 – November 19, 1944) was a United States Army staff sergeant who was killed in action while serving as a tank company platoon sergeant during World War II.In 1997, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor, for his actions on November 16–19, 1944, near Bourgaltroff, France. In 1997, Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism serving with Company A, 761st Tank Battalion. The U.S. military did not officially desegregate until after On Nov. 10, 1944, a 761st tank commander, Sgt. A brief combat summary for the unit, which was prepared shortly after World War II, provides a basic chronology of the unit’s activities. The 761st Battalion (also known as the Black Panther Tank Battalion) was an all-black Louisiana-based military unit. In October of 1944, the 761st tank battalion became the first African American tank battalion to see combat in World War II.And, by the end of … They trained in Fort Hood, Texas, where a young Lt. Jackie Robinson refused to sit at the back of a bus. Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism in action. The 761st was made up primarily of African-American soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops as the U.S. military did … Warren G. H. Crecy, came to the aid of GIs with his tank until his tank was hit and destroyed. Ruben Rivers' heroism helped convince commanders and Pres.Truman it … Sgt. Ruben Rivers was the first hero, first casualty, of the famed all-black 761st Tank Battalion. Nine white officers acquitted him of all charges. They were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, one Medal of Honor… The 761st Tank Battalion was an independent tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. Ruben Rivers (1921 – November 19, 1944) was a Staff Sergeant in the 761st Tank Battalion, a black tank battalion which served with distinction in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The 761st was made up primarily of African-American soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops. The strength of the 761st Tank Battalion was proven during 183 days of continual fighting (including action in the Battle of the Bulge) after the Black Panthers became the first African-American armored unit to enter combat. SSgt. SSgt. The first African-American tankers in combat. The Tank Battalion were an all-Black Tank Battalion group that fought in WWII (1942-1946). The 761st was made up primarily of African-American soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops; the military did not officially desegregate until after World War II. The 761st Tank Battalion was an independent tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. Their Motto: “Come Out Fighting”. The 761st Tank Battalion was the first of its kind, the first African-American tank unit to go into combat. The group was activated in 1942 and trained at Camp Hood, Texas. In 1998, the 761 st Tank Battalion (deactivated) received a Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award that a unit can receive. The lieutenant was transferred to the 758th Tank Regiment and court-martialed.