During the course of the Second World War, the United States Army raised and maintained eighty-nine combat divisions, including sixteen armored divisions. Most of those units were created during the war and served only for the duration of the conflict. After going overseas and fighting to achieve victory, most of the World War II divisions were disbanded and faded into obscurity.

This heavily illustrated narrative is the story of one of those units, the 12th Armored Division, which trained on the plains of West Texas at Camp Barkeley near Abilene. From its initial action, to the liberation of Nazi death camps, to the ultimate victory and peace, the division's story serves as a vehicle to study the many temporary army units that served our country during its most trying time.