Wilbur Jack Myers

Wilbur Jackson “Jack” Myers, born in June 1923 in Williamsport, Maryland, served with distinction as a corporal gunner in the U.S. Army’s 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion during World War II. His wartime experiences spanned critical European campaigns, from the liberation of the Netherlands to the heart of Germany.

Early Life and Enlistment

Myers was drafted into the Army in 1943. After basic training at Camp Hood, Texas, he was assigned to Company B of the 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion. The battalion was formed in response to the German use of massed armored formations early in the war. Myers trained on three-inch towed anti-tank guns and later operated the more formidable M36 tank destroyer, equipped with a 90mm gun.^[1]https://bridgingantietam.omeka.net/exhibits/show/our_stories/wilbur_jack_myers_interview

692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion

The 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion was constituted on March 15, 1942, and activated on April 10, 1942, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Its formation was part of the U.S. Army’s response to the German Blitzkrieg tactics, emphasizing the need for mobile anti-tank units. The battalion underwent extensive training at various facilities, including Camps Bowie and Hood in Texas, and Camp Phillips in Kansas, focusing on anti-tank warfare and mobility.^[2]https://tankdestroyer.net/honorees/h/1311-haschke-albert-t-692nd/

The 692nd departed from the New York Port on September 12, 1944, aboard the British ship Scythia. After a brief stay in England, they landed in Cherbourg, France, in late September 1944. This landing was significant as Cherbourg had been heavily damaged during the D-Day invasions, and the 692nd was among the first units to utilize the port post-liberation.

Combat Operations

Upon arrival, the battalion moved to the Valognes staging area before joining the 104th Infantry Division in Wustwezel, Belgium. They were attached to the First Canadian Army during operations in the Netherlands, supporting the attack on the port of Antwerp and advancing to the Maas River in October 1944.^[4]https://tankdestroyer.net/images/stories/ArticlePDFs/692nd_Tank_Destroyer_Battalion_History.pdf

In November 1944, the battalion relocated to Aachen, Germany, to support the 104th Infantry Division’s assault on the Siegfried Line. The 692nd played a crucial role in breaching these formidable German defenses.

“I saw combat from the time I landed until the time I left. You wondered how you got through it.” he said. “I lost three out of my squad — my driver, my assistant driver and my squad leader.”

Wilbur Jack Meyers

During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, Myers’ unit was called upon to counter the German offensive in the Ardennes. Operating under General Patton’s Third Army, the 692nd played a crucial role in halting German tank advances along the Ruhr River. Myers recalled the harsh winter conditions and the challenges of facing superior German armor, noting the eventual effectiveness of the M36 tank destroyer in these engagements.^[5]https://bridgingantietam.omeka.net/exhibits/show/our_stories/wilbur_jack_myers_interview

In early 1945, the battalion advanced into southern Germany, participating in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. Myers described the harrowing scenes of emaciated prisoners and the profound impact it had on him. Witnessing firsthand the atrocities committed there left an indelible mark on him. The shock of seeing emaciated prisoners and the aftermath of Nazi crimes created emotional wounds that he carried for life. In his own words:

It’s something you never forget. I didn’t talk about it because people wouldn’t understand.

Wilbur Jack Meyers, Witness to War Foundation Interview^[6]https://www.witnesstowar.org/combat_stories/WWII/6767

On March 20, 1945, he sustained a hand injury from a captured German pistol, leading to his evacuation to England for the remainder of the war. For his service, Myers was awarded the Bronze Star.^[7]https://news.va.gov/104673/veteranoftheday-army-veteran-wilbur-jackson-jack-myers/

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Post-War Life and return to Europe

After returning home in October 1945, Myers utilized the GI Bill to establish a successful career in furniture upholstery.^[8]https://www.aeecouncil.org/warparticipant/wilbur-j-myers

In June 2014 Myers returned to Europe to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the broader Allied campaign in Western Europe. Myers and his good friend Arthur Staymates, who passed away in April 2017, were among 29 World War II veterans who spent two weeks in Europe to commemorate the anniversary of the famous battle.

“I couldn’t believe how many people showed up in very foul weather,” Myers said. “It was snowing and blowing, not like 70 years ago, but they were there anyway, thousands of people.”

He said the scene was a stark contrast to 1944, when dead soldiers and bombed-out buildings spotted the landscape. Many soldiers suffered from frostbite and the wounded often died before combat medics could reach them. More than 1 million soldiers fought in the Battle of the Bulge — some 500,000 Americans, 600,000 Germans and 55,000 British. Each side lost more than 800 tanks, and the Germans lost 1,000 aircraft, according to the U.S. Department of Defense website.

Reflections and PTSD

Like many combat veterans, Meyers struggled for decades to talk about his wartime experiences. His difficulties in sharing these memories stemmed not from a lack of patriotism or pride, but from the deep emotional scars left by the trauma and loss he witnessed during World War II.

Myers openly admitted to grappling with survivor’s guilt. He questioned why he survived when others—men he had trained with, fought beside, and grown close to—did not. This emotional weight made recounting his experiences painful, as doing so meant reliving moments of loss and horror.

“I was with the same outfit the whole time I was in there, so I had been with them for two years,” he said. “To lose a buddy like that — it’s not easy, very emotional. It brings back memories.”

It wasn’t until the early 2000s—nearly 60 years after the war—that Myers began to talk more openly. This change was prompted by the growing public recognition of WWII veterans and a desire among younger generations, including his own grandchildren, to understand their family legacy. Participating in the 70th anniversary of D-Day in 2014 marked a significant moment for him. Surrounded by fellow veterans and supported by remembrance organizations, Myers found a sense of community and purpose in sharing his story:

I started talking about it because I realized these kids didn’t know. They needed to know.

Wilbur “Jack” Myers, from Bridging Antietam interview^[9]https://bridgingantietam.omeka.net/exhibits/show/our_stories/wilbur_jack_myers_interview

Through interviews, commemorative trips, and interactions with historians, Myers transformed this personal pain into public memory—ensuring that the sacrifices of his unit and others were not forgotten. We are profoundly honored for his signature that provides immense gravitas to our project.

Obtaining the signature

As project founder Nick was going to be vacationing in Maryland in July 2017, he began to research veterans from the area. This led to a story reported by Reporter Jonathan Hunter of WDVM Hagerstown news who interviewed Jack Myers on the occasion of the passing of his dear friend Arthur Staymates in April 2017.

Mr. Hunter kindly put us in touch with Mr. Myers who was generous enough to allow Nick to pay him and his gracious wife Mary-Jo a visit at their residence in Hagerstown. At 93, Jack was still active including playing golf when we caught up with him.

Jack and Mary-Jo clearly enjoy each other’s company and Nick felt instantly welcome in their home. After signing the book, Meyers, with a warm disarming smile, invited him to lunch. The same graciousness and modesty present in all the veterans we have encountered was on display in this wonderful man and his wife whose company we had the honor to share.