With the outbreak of World War II in Europe, the American Army prepared with the creation of the Armored Force and headquartered it at Fort Knox in the summer of 1940. It was responsible for establishing armored formations, doctrine, and training in the use of armored vehicles. Selective Service was implemented and thousands of citizen soldiers were ordered to Fort Knox and introduced to the tank. The post was required to undergo a massive building boom and acquisition of land to support these troops.

During World War II, armor made great advancements through the development of new tanks, organization, and training. Equipment and Soldiers benefited from findingsmade by the Armored Board and Armored Medical Research Laboratory

June 1942. Fort Knox, Kentucky. "The crew of an M-3 tank learns all the ways of causing trouble for the Axis with a 75mm gun, a 37mm gun and four machine guns." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, OWI. View full size

Fort Knox, June 1942. "Light tank going through water obstacle." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. "M-3 tanks in action. Fort Knox, Kentucky." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. M-3 tank crews at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. An M-4 tank at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. An M-4 tank crew training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. M-3 tank in action at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. Tank commander at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. View full size

Tank driver, Fort Knox. June 1942. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. View full size

Tank commander, Fort Knox. June 1942. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. View full size

June 1942. M-3 tank and crew at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. View full size

All photographies are courtesy from www.shorpy.com