We're Getting Closer to Our Open House!!
September 24th-25th,10-4pm
Join us for a must see event with all of our tanks and military vehicles on display and in action, a special War on Terror exhibit including a 9/11 firetruck, an EMT vehicle, steel from the Twin Towers, and so much more! Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War, General James Livingston, will be a special guest of honor!
General Livingston with Volunteer Walt and Elaine Woods
This huge living history event will be at our Tank Farm, 13906 Aden Road, Nokesville, VA. Register in advance by clicking right here!
Get to Know Your Tank Farm Collection
M-18 Tank Destroyer
Fastest Armored Vehicle of World War II
At the outset of World War II, American anti-tank doctrine was built around countering Germany’s Blitzkrieg tactics. While tank units were to take out any German tanks they came across in combat, dedicated tank destroyer units were tasked with preventing German armor from punching through American lines.

The tank destroyer design emphasized speed and gun size over armor protection. Rather than hunting down enemy armor, American tank destroyers were typically held in reserve, then rushed to wherever enemy armor was concentrated, or hidden in defensive positions where enemy armor was anticipated.
The M-18’s turret unlike virtually all other tank designs, was open topped. While this allowed the commander excellent visibility and facilitated communication with dismounted infantry, it also left the M-18 vulnerable in both urban and woodland environments.
When fighting in tight city streets, the open top turret was particularly vulnerable to grenades dropped from balconies and rooftops and offered limited protection from snipers. Conversely, the turret was also vulnerable to shrapnel from artillery and mortar shells that hit trees in forested areas, as well as low angle anti-aircraft air bursts. On the other hand, evacuating the M-18 was much faster than in tanks with turret hatches.
The Museum's M-18 had a long service before being restored at the Tank Farm. After its service with the US Army in World War II it returned to the United States where it was refurbished by Brown and Root in Texas. After its refurbishment it was sent to Yugoslavia under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) in the early 1950’s. By the mid 1950’s 240 M-18's had made their way to Yugoslavia along with M-36's and other US military vehicles. These would serve in various units but were seen as obsolete and quickly made their way to reserved units. These vehicles soldiered on in these units until 1980 when the man who held Yugoslavia together, Tito, died.

Over the next decade the country would split along ethnic borders and a civil war would break out by 1991. With M-18's being used by reserve units within the new smaller ethnic countries, the M-18 would once again make its way into combat. This time fighting itself between former states of the same nation. There is footage of the war showing M-18's firing on the city of Sarajevo as well as other cities.

Our M-18 fought during this war and was taken by western peacekeepers that came in to stop the war. When it arrived, it had seen a hard life with much battle damage. We repaired a shaped charge hit to the turret as well as some smaller bullet hits on the hull. One hit went clear through the turret, but the entrance hole had been repaired at one point, yet the exit was still there. We have left that damage as a reminder of the history of this particular vehicle. The M-18 you see today is completely restored and functional and is an important part of the museum collection.
M-18’s in Former Yugoslavia
Image from (https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com)
As you can see our restorations and maintenance of our vehicles are quite expensive. Your donations are paramount to helping us preserve the history that these vehicles can share with our future generations. If you'd like to donate toward the Maintenance and Tank Restoration Fund you can click here:
Get to Know Your Tank Farm Volunteers

Tank Farm Volunteer & Reenactor,
David Horton
David, tell us about yourself.

I started volunteering at the museum in 2017 and have enjoyed every moment of it. I have always had an interest in history, specifically military history since I was a kid. Outside of the museum I am a career firefighter. 






Describe your duties as a volunteer.

As a volunteer at the museum, I have done many things. This can include sweeping the floor to actually operating the vehicles in the collection for the Open House and other VIP events that are held. My most memorable duty to date is having been able to be a part in the restoration in the M-50 Sherman from Israel. 
 
How did you hear about Americans in Wartime and what drew you in?

I had attended the museum’s Open House as a living historian for several years and was completely unaware that the opportunity to volunteer existed during the rest of the year. My friend Gordon Ridings told me about the opportunity to volunteer and I submitted an interest email to Marc. The ability to work on and around real history drew me in.
 
What started your interest in tanks and military vehicles?

My love of all things military started my interest. I had been reenacting WW2 since 2000 and was amazed at seeing the vintage vehicles at the events. Since then I had always had an interest in them and was always fascinated with their operation and maintenance.
David Horton with an Abraham Lincoln Reenactor
What is your favorite armored fighting vehicle of all time? Why?
 
That’s a tough question to answer as each vehicle has its own unique history and story behind it. If I had to choose, I think it would have to be the British MK V from WWI. Why? The men who operated them were truly pioneers in the development of armor and its tactics. The simplicity of the machine yet technological advancement they meant were simply amazing.  

What is your favorite vehicle in the NMAW collection? Why?
 
The M24 Chaffee. I have operated this vehicle on several occasions and love the smooth ride that it gives. I also love the main gun on the vehicle as it was originally purposed to be used in the B-25 Mitchell.

What is your favorite military history book or movie? Why?
 
Even though it is fictitious I would have to say Sharpe’s by Bernard Cornwell. There are so many quotable lines from the series and books that made both the books and movie series quite memorable.

Ketchup or mustard?
 
Ketchup
 
Hamburger or hot dog?
 
Hamburger
David with his Daughter in this Year's 4th of July Parade
EDUCATE | HONOR | INSPIRE