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24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) 1943 - 1945
A history and tribute
An unofficial history of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), which was part of the US 4th Cavalry Regiment in WW2. The contribution made by cavalry to the allied victory in Europe is mostly overlooked in popular histories of the campaign following D Day, but without their specialist role the war would have been longer and more costly in lives. Drawing from original wartime records and help from families today, the site aims to tell one cavalry squadron’s story and honour as many of the men who served in it as possible.
NOTE: this site is a work in progress, currently featuring a fraction of the information we have. It will evolve with constant updates as we build the full story of the squadron.
March 3 1945, men of Reconnaissance Troop C with prisoners of war in Grevenbroich, Germany
Squadron commanding officer Lt. Col. Frederick H. Gaston Jr’s After Action report from that day. Over time, this site will tell the entire story of the squadron’s actions, based on the original field records and post-war material.
The mission
The 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, was activated in Britain, December 1943.
From D Day, as part of the VII Corps, First United States Army, the squadron served with distinction across France, Belgium and into Germany and Austria.
The men
The squadron consisted of three reconnaissance troops, an artillery troop, a light tank company and a headquarters and service troop, totalling around 750 men. Many joined over time to replace those injured or killed in action.
See their stories here.
Timeline
The story of the squadron and its actions, drawing from the original ‘after action reports’ and other documents.
[Coming in 2025]
Follow the squadron’s journey »
September 3 1944. Men from Tank Company F in a Stuart M5A1 are greeted by civilians on Rue Thiers, in Charleville-Mézières, northern France. Photo credit: Nicolas Conreur’s blog ‘Ma Kubelwagen Lili’. Original taken during the liberation of Charleville by local photographer Mr Jean Héraux.
“My first day of combat was over, but it isn’t like you go home at 6 o’clock, you play leapfrog. The big boys took over and we were moved to another area, to do flank protection, whatever that means, I always tried to protect my flank and my ass too.”
Corporal Joseph A. Negri (32905647) 1st Platoon, Troop A