Meanwhile, Smoyer’s tank commander and the military cameraman who filmed the battle received Bronze Stars of their own. Clarence Smoyer, 95, was a Pershing Tank gunner during World War II, whos quick action took out a German Panzer during the Battle for Cologne, Germany in Ma. A military police officer saw him searching his pockets for bubble gum to give to a crowd of German children and charged him with fraternization with the enemy. Smoyer was told he would receive the Bronze Star, but a few days later he ran afoul of a minor disciplinary issue that cost him his medal. The battle was captured on film and Smoyer became known as the “Hero of Cologne.” Smoyer, of Allentown, Pa., was part of a famous March 6, 1945, duel in Cologne, Germany, where his Pershing tank destroyed a German Panther tank about nine months after D-Day. District, Jim, Bates, Battle, of, Cologne, Germany, 1944, World, War, Two, Colorado, Springs, History, 2008 Language. Instead, he found a full Army color guard and ceremony awarding him a Bronze Star, almost 75 years after the battle that made him a hero. Combat photographer Jim Bates talks about his experiences filming a tank battle during the Battle of Cologne in March of 1945. New version of the old video (only new music and longer sub titles - many people did not like the other. Once there he’d stop, fire into the German’s side, then back out. Tank duel at the Cologne cathedral March 06, 1945. WASHINGTON - When 96-year-old Clarence Smoyer came to Washington Wednesday, he thought he was heading to the Pentagon to sign copies of “Spearhead,” a recent book detailing his exploits as a World War II tank gunner. He’d edge the Pershing into the intersection, flanking the Panther to the left.
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