![]() That epic tank fight was known as the last battle of World War II.ĭuring the Battle of Cologne, a combat photographer, Jim Bate, who parachuted into France with the 82nd Airborne on D-Day, followed troops all the way to the fall of Berlin. There was only one of 20 sent over for testing in battle during February 1945.Īs a gunner in the Pershing tank, Smoyer earned the reputation as “the best gunner in the world.” The Pershing tank and a German Panther faced off in a brutal battle for the city of Cologne. At 21, Smoyer was the gunner on a Pershing, a top secret experimental American tank. In March 1945, the “Spearhead Division” entered the German city of Cologne. Smoyer started out as a loader on a Sherman tank crew and Caserta was a replacement as a Sherman tank driver.īoth men were assigned to E-Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division and landed at Omaha Beach two weeks after D-Day. Caserta, at 19, went from training in the United States to landing in France. Army Brotherhood of Tankers at VFW Post 6650, Caserta’s sons finalized the plans for the special surprise reunion.Īs with most WWII veterans, Smoyer and Caserta were young strangers, becoming young soldiers brought together in battle with unforeseeable sacrifice.Ĭpl. While the Ocean City resident and World War II veteran was being honored last week by City Council and U.S. The reunion was made possible by Carol Westberg (left) next to Joe Caserta and Cindy Smoyer with Clarence Smoyer. In just a few months they planned out how Smoyer would be head to Ocean City and Caserta would open his front door to his dear friend and fellow decorated patriot. Westberg emailed Smoyer’s daughter Cindy, who in turn contacted the Caserta family. Westberg is from Montevideo, Minn., and daughter of the late Neil Westberg, also a member of E-Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. That’s when 3rd Armored Division Association Board Member Carol Westberg “hatched this plan” to reunite Smoyer and Caserta. ![]() The last time they were together was at a book signing for “Spearhead” in Allentown, Pa., in early 2019. They share a unique history and deep personal bond. Smoyer, 95, a Sherman tank gunner from Leighton, Pa., and Caserta, 97, a Sherman tank driver and commander from Ocean City, were part of the famous 3rd Armored Division (3AD) called “Spearhead.” Joseph Caserta, at his home on Wednesday. Clarence Smoyer, America’s most famous tank gunner and the subject of the new book “Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy and a Collision of Lives in World War II,” surprised his friend and comrade, Sgt. ![]() (seated left) share the morning flag raising on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Joe Caserta, of Ocean City, (seated at right) and Cpl.
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