During World War II, many U.S. Army leaders had doubts about deploying African American soldiers overseas. Those unfounded fears were quickly squashed by the rapid achievements of the primarily Black 761st Tank Battalion, also known as “Patton’s Panthers.” In addition to playing a crucial role along the western front, the unit quickly garnered a reputation for having fierce fighters like Staff Sgt. Ruben Rivers.
After suffering a severe leg injury from hitting a mine with his tank, Rivers, a native Oklahoman, he disobeyed a direct order to evacuate and put himself in harm’s way to cover the U.S. retreat from advancing German lines. Rivers was killed in the battle and later posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997.
