WWII tanker honored as Fort Moore access point is renamed in his honor
FORT MOORE, Ga. (WRBL) — Fort Moore officials, U.S. Army armor soldiers and international armor specialized soldiers gathered at the Harmony Church Gate. In only a few minutes, it would be the Harmony Church Gate no more, redesignated in the name of a notable soldier.
The redesignation is one in a series of redesignations which began in November of 2023. At the start of Armor Week on April 29, it was only fitting that the Harmony Church Gate to post was redesignated for a formidable WWII tank crew commander.
“He instilled the high standards of performance for the soldiers. He strove to understand his platform,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Simmering, Commandant of the U.S. Army Armor School, based at Fort Moore’s Maneuver Center of Excellence.
Simmering was describing Lafayette G. Pool, who was drafted into the Army in 1941 and became a part of the Third Armored Division at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Pool later came to be known as the tank “Ace of Aces” and “War Daddy.”
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By the end of his career in the military, Pool was a Chief Warrant Officer Second Class. He was an armor instructor, teaching Abrams and Bradley mechanics.
Those at the ceremony acknowledged him to be one of the best tankers to ever live.
“My husband recently asked me what kind of man can be called ‘War Daddy,’ by the U.S. Military and by his tank crew and be known and respected for all that fierce dedication and fighting spirit,” said Christie Reichman, Pool’s biological granddaughter and adoptive daughter, who was present at the ceremony.
She described a man who was not just a skilled soldier, but a loving father. Reichman remembered Pool taking off his prosthetic leg to scare her friends and teaching her to dance, despite a limp, so she wouldn’t be left out at the dance.
“Yes, he’s a soldier,” Reichman said. “But he was also a teacher and a preacher – he always served.”
The Harmony Church Gate to Fort Moore became the Pool Access Point on April 29. (Olivia Yepez) Lafayette G. Pool was known as the tank “Ace of Aces” and “War Daddy” for his service during WWII. (Fort Moore)
Simmering remarked Pool’s leadership and teaching reflected the missions of Armor School instructors today. The combination of his teaching and distinguished military career, including a Distinguished Service Cross for actions during WWII, made him a top contender when it came to renaming a main access point for Fort Moore’s Armor soldiers.
“It was an inspiration to see everybody here. I didn’t know what it was going to be like. I was nervous, worried about it … and I wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out,” Reichman said, “but it turned out kind of being motivational for me too.”
For Reichman, who grew up at Fort Sam Houston and travelled from Montana for the ceremony, being in a crowd of current military members and veterans felt comfortable and familiar.
“It was like coming home,” she said, remembering Pool.
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Members of the U.S. Army Brotherhood of Tankers were also invited to the ceremony. The Brotherhood of Tankers said it was an honor to come out to the ceremony while they were on post for the Sullivan Cup and Armor Week.
“We celebrate Chief Pool in our own organization as the epitome of what a tanker is, so we were very honored to be invited to the gate renaming,” said David Nich, the National Commander of the U.S. Army Brotherhood of Tankers.
He added, “I am fortunate enough to be a tanker … we’re here to serve.”
The Harmony Church gate at Fort Moore Is the main access point for Armor soldiers, including tankers like Pool.
From now on, those coming to train, teach and work at Fort Moore will know the gate by his name.
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