ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I extend my sincerest gratitude to all who have helped in the completion of this thesis. The patience and understanding of everyone in my family, especially my wife Michele, played an integral role in bringing this project to fruition. My daughter, Claire, proved a source of constant encouragement. My daughter Jocelyn, who accompanied me to the National Archives and Carlisle Barracks, simply made most of this possible. To all of the faculty and graduate students at the University of Texas at Arlington who indulged me in my ramblings about World War II tank development I extend my thanks for your patience. Fellow students Kyle Carpenter, Justin Dellinger, Rob Fuller, Bryan Garrett, Pavel Goral, and Jonathan Speed deserve specific mention for time spent listening or aid rendered. Dr. Steve Maizlish and Dr. Sam Haynes also deserve special thanks for their input as members of my thesis committee. Their comments and support were invaluable. I simply cannot thank my committee chair, Dr. Joyce Goldberg, enough. I must first thank her for allowing me to pursue the truth about the controversy surrounding American armored development during the Second World War. My trust that she would eviscerate any poor writing on my part was well rewarded. Additionally, her help and that of Dr. Stephanie Cole towards securing the Termini Award allowed me the opportunity to peruse the primary sources so essential to my arguments and for that I am unable to thank them enough. Thanks also must go out to Doctors Ben and Trudi Termini for making the award available. Finally, to the tankers of all nations involved I extend my gratitude for their service and their roles in the drama herein exposed