82nd armored reconnaissance battalion

82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
Active	July 15, 1940–November 22, 1946 January 17, 1949–?
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Role	Armored reconnaissance
Part of	2nd Armored Division
Motto(s)	"Audacity"
Engagements	World War II Operation Torch Operation Husky Operation Overlord Advance to the Rhine Invasion of Germany
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation Belgian fourragère
Commanders
Notable commanders	Charles J. Girard

July 15, 1940–November 22, 1946

The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was a part of the 2nd Armored Division, and was activated July 15, 1940 at Fort Benning, Georgia for World War II. The organization was made up of trained men, from cavalry and reconnaissance units. The reconnaissance battalion was known as the "eyes and ears", of the 2nd Armored Division.

The battalion mainly used the M-8 Light Armored Car, as it was fast, up to 56 mph (90 km/h), and gave some protection from small arms fire. M8 was equipped with a 37 mm gun and 6X6 wheel drive. The M8 was the main reconnaissance vehicle used by the US military in World War II. Also used was M20 scout car, which was a M-8 without the 37 mm gun and turret. In its place was an anti-aircraft ring mount for a .50-caliber machine gun. A bazooka was provided for the crew to compensate for its lack of anti-armor weaponry. With this vehicles, the 82nd could scout ahead of the slower M4 Sherman tank with a top speed of 25 mph to 30 mph. Also used for reconnaissance and to run messages Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycles were used by the 82nd as well. Almost all units used Jeeps as they were fast four-wheel drive utility vehicles.