The First Armored Amphibian Battalion was a special battalion, the first of its kind. It was formed, trained, and deployed for combat in a period of five months. The mission of our armored amphihians (amphibious tanks) was to lead the assault on enemy-held beaches. If we failed or faltered, the entire operation would be placed in jeopardy. WE NEVER DID.

Our battalion led the attack across the Pacific with the landings on Roi and Namur in the Marshall Islands, Guam in the Marianas Islands, and finally Okinawa, the last great battle in World War II.

-Louis Metzger,
Lieutenant General,
USMC (Retired)