From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
100 Cities, 100 Memorials: Patton and the US Tank Corps Monument
In July 6th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 79, Karlen Morris and Phil Wilburn spoke with host Theo Mayer about the Patton and the US Tank Corps Monument in Fort Knox, Kentucky. The following is a transcript of the interview:
Theo Mayer: This week we're headed to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Now, this memorial is dedicated to someone we normally associate with World War II but someone who really got his start in World War I. At the time, just a captain, George S. Patton. Here to tell us about the project commemorating him and the tank corps are Karlen Morris, retired veteran from the Kentucky National Guard and commander of the Patton Battalion USABOT. He's also the project manager for the new monument. Joining him is Phil Wilburn, sergeant first class retired USABOT, Patton Battalion board member and member of the monument committee. Gentleman, thank you for joining us.
Karlen Morris: Thanks for having me.
Phil Wilburn: Thank you.
Theo Mayer: Your project is really pretty unique in terms of World War I memorials I've come across on 100 Cities/100 Memorials program. First of all, it's a new monument and secondly it focuses on the birth and implementation of a new technology, the tank and the man tied closely to it. Can you tell us about the monument and how the project came about?
George Patton poses with a Renault tank, 1918.
Karlen Morris: Originally we were talking with the Patton Museum about possibly donating a plaque to commemorate Patton's service in World War I. Well, as we went through the process, we figured out that we couldn't donate a plaque and the Patton Museum actually offered us the idea to put a monument in memorial park next to the museum. That's what began the process and as we thought about what we would want as a monument, I had heard about the monument at Bourg, France which commemorates World War I and World War II. We developed that as our original idea and we would replicate that monument but on the backside we're gonna go through the history of Patton's service in World War I, the tank battles, the tank battalions that fought and then the men that ultimately supported Patton not only through World War I but through World War II and beyond.
Theo Mayer: Patton actually started a tank school and developed a love of the doctrine, didn't he?
Phil Wilburn: He absolutely did. Patton at the time was not in a position that he was really feeling utilized and when this came up for him to be in the tank service, the tank corps, he was instrumental and not only setting up the US Tank School and training the first US tankers but he was a key player in the development of the tactics which were integrated into the rest of modern warfare at the time.
US troops operate Renault tanks. Captain Patton held an important position in the US Tank Corps, which made its debut on September 12th, 1918.
Theo Mayer: One of the great things about this project is that you're actually creating a new memorial and you're commemorating not only the man but the entire tank corps.
Karlen Morris: Yeah.
Phil Wilburn: Yes.
Karlen Morris: This is the only monument, dedicated to the US Tank Corps in the United States. There's a plaque at Gettysburg where Camp Colt was originally located and that was placed there in 1953 but other than that, there's not a monument dedicated solely to the US Tank Corps in the United States?
Theo Mayer: Interesting. When do you expect to complete the project?
Karlen Morris: Our goal is to get the monument in place by November of this year.
Theo Mayer: How did you hear about 100 Cities/100 Memorials?
Karlen Morris: I've been following 100th anniversary of this. We originally started in November of 2016 ad I've always been reaching out to find out more about how we could do this and as soon as I heard about the World War I Commission, I immediately started following it and then as it come about, I heard about the memorials and coerced our guys that we needed to get involved.
Theo Mayer: You also, because you're doing the monument modeled after the one in Bourg, in France, you created ties with that city, didn't you?
The monument to Patton and the US Tank Corps will be adjacent to the Patton Museum in Fort Knox, KY.Karlen Morris: Yes. As soon as we were granted permission via the Fort Knox Garrison Command to put our monument at memorial park in Fort Knox, I immediately reached out to the mayor of Bourg, France, and that was in April of last year and we have been in communication ever since.
Theo Mayer: That's pretty neat that you've got a commemorative partner city in France.
Karlen Morris: I'm glad that we're able to reconnect the tankers and tank mechanics with the town of Bourg, France because it seems we've distanced ourselves over the years and now we're coming back together for this 100th anniversary. Hopefully, it's something we can remain connected.
Phil Wilburn: I was a tanker for quite a few years. 20 plus years in the service and Patton he was mythical and a legend but really it's something to tie the tank history and the tank corps as Karlen mentioned a minute ago with the monument here in the US. It's not just something that we have so placing that World War I Patton and the tank altogether ties it together for tankers going forward and I think that brings a lot to our communities.
Theo Mayer: That's a great project, gentlemen. Thank you so much.
Karlen Morris: Thank you.
Phil Wilburn: Thank you for having us.
Theo Mayer: Karlen Morris and Phil Wilburn for the Patton and the US Tank Corps Monument on Fort Knox, Kentucky. Learn more about the 100 Cities/100 Memorials program by following the link of the podcast notes or just reach out on Twitter @theww1podcast.
Podcast Notes and links
www.ww1cc.org/100cities
https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/3004-four-questions-for-karlen-morris.html
https://usabot.ecwid.com/#!/Donation-Monument-Fort-Knox-Patton-Joins-the-US-Tank-Corps/p/83940729/category=5426372
https://19seriesclothing.com/