LTC Frank L. Columbia
CO. B, 124TH ARMORED ENGINEER BATTALION • 13TH ARMORED DIVISION
War Service Rank: Captain (Company Commander)
Organization: Company B, 124th Armored Engineer Battalion (AEB)
Final Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (Retired Oct 1964)
"Star Presidian" — October 30, 1964. LTC Frank L. Columbia honored at the Presidio of San Francisco.
Combat Study: The Black Cats & The 124th AEB
The Mission: As part of the 13th Armored "Black Cat" Division, Columbia led Company B of the 124th Armored Engineer Battalion. These mobility specialists operated at the spearhead, clearing minefields and building Treadway bridges to keep the division’s heavy armor moving across Germany.
Operational History: Entering the ETO in 1945, the 124th AEB cleared the way through the Ruhr Pocket and neutralized "Dragon's Teeth" anti-tank obstacles. Their technical skill enabled the rapid sweep toward the Danube and the eventual push to the Austrian border by V-E Day.
A Legacy of Command: Frank Columbia’s leadership extended far beyond the Rhineland. After serving as a Captain in combat, he dedicated over two decades to the U.S. Army, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel at the Presidio of San Francisco.
Verified Historical Archive
World War Two Helmets • Preservation Division • California, USA
