761st Honored by American Veterans Center
The 761st Tank Battalion was the recipient of the signature Audie Murphy Award presented at The Honors ceremony, the closing event of the American Veterans Center’s 18th Annual Conference, that took place from November 5-7, 2015, in Washington, DC. The award was among those presented at an exclusive black-tie dinner event on Saturday, November 7th, featuring musical performances, special guests and heroes from the last 75 years 
of military history.
The ceremony was preceded by several full days of planned activity from early morning until late in the evening, including a reception Friday night at the British Embassy.
Describing the award, the American Veterans Center said, "The 761st made history in becoming the first African American tankers to see combat. Through their selfless service on the front lines, while proving to their countrymen that they were true and worthy soldiers, the 761st proved to be men of valor on and off the battlefield." 761st Tank Battalion veteran Thomas Mangrum accepted the award, accompanied by 758th Tank Battalion veteran John Weston and 761st Tank Battalion and Allied Veterans Association Secretary Ivan Harrison, Jr. An edited video of the event (edited to 1 hour and 24 minutes) is available on the American Veterans Center website. John Weston and Thomas Mangrum can be seen accepting the award for the 761st about 14 minutes into the broadcast. Click here for the video.
Two months after the November ceremony, 758th Tank Battalion veteran John Weston passed away on December 29, 2015. A video in his honor was posted by the American Veterans Center.
