of the Normandy landings and Operation Overlord. From Omaha Beach the battalion pushed through the Cherbourg peninsula and secured bridge across the Seine River. On August 16, 1944, near Mortain, France with Company "A", 2nd Platoon, the 82nd Reconnaissance helped link the Ninth U.S. Army with the 11th Armored Division, from the 3rd Army in the Ardennes. Early September 1944 near Maastricht, Netherlands, the battalion crossed over the Maas (Meuse), near Sittard. On September 2, 1944, parts of the 82nd moved into neighbouring Belgium near Tournai. The battalion helped in the liberation of Born, Netherlands on Sept. 19, 1944. In Operation Queen and the Battle of the Bulge, the battalion helped near Gereonsweiler and near Houffalize. In September 1944 some of the 82nd recon patrols entered Belgium 12 hours before other American troops. From there the 82nd helped the Division move from the Rur (a tributary of the Meuse) to the Rhine. For bravery in the drive from April 3-17, 1945, from the Rhine through the Westphalia plains to the Elbe at Schönebeck, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation. From May 7, 1945, to January 1, 1946, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion moved into occupation roles, including serving among the first U.S. forces to occupy Berlin. Back to the U.S On January 21, 1946, the battalion was shipped from Calais, France to Fort Hood, Texas, arriving February 12, 1946. The battalion was inactivated on November 22, 1946. On January 17, 1949, the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion was reactivated with new personal for tactical training in December 1949. On July 4, 1951, the battalion sailed out of New Orleans, Louisiana, arriving July 17, 1951, at Bremerhaven, Germany, for its second tour of duty in Germany, during the Cold War. Decorations and honors Presidential Unit Citation (U.S. Army version). Streamer embroidered Westphalia plains, 1945. Belgian fourragere (82d Armored Reconnaissance Battalion cited; 1950) Cited in the order of the day of the Belgian Army for action in Belgium. Cited in the order of the day of the Belgian Army for action in the Ardennes. In La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium is a memorial to the 82d Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Four soldiers of the battalion are honored by name: John T. Graham, Everett. W. Christensen, Isaac Suhon and John McMahon. The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was part of the 2nd Armored Division during World War II, contributing to the Division's overall recognition distinguished service and