Stuart Tank Committee

Borough of Berwick, Pennsylvania
Stuart Tank Committee
c/o Central Susquehanna Community Foundation
725 West Front Street · Berwick, PA 18603
The Stuart Tank Committee was established to locate a Berwick-built Stuart Tank and return it to Berwick as a memorial
to the workers who built them and the soldiers, Marines and Allies who rode them into battle.
Dear Friend:
From 1940 through 1944, the workers at the American Car & Foundry – Berwick Plant, produced 15,224 light tanks
for the Arsenal of Democracy. Prior to the United States entering World War II, these tanks were provided to the
Allies – England, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand – as part of the Lend-Lease Program. These tanks chased
Rommel across the North African Desert on into Sicily and Italy, battled from the South Pacific and Asian jungles
to islands of Japan and across the Russian steppes and Normandy beaches to Berlin. At peak production, the ACF
was producing 40 tanks per day. This was just part of the war-time effort put forth by the 9,135 employees from
177 municipalities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania who worked at the Berwick Plant. The Berwick Plant
produced millions of artillery shells, over ten thousand D7 bulldozers, numerous rail cars, and other components
in support of the war effort. This was in addition to the thousands of local men and women who served in
uniform in the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines, many of whom paid the ultimate price.
The Stuart Tank Committee was established to locate a Berwick-built Stuart tank
and return it to Berwick to honor the workers who built them and
the soldiers, Marines, and Allies who rode them into battle.
Through donations collected over the past few years, the Stuart Tank Committee, on March 22 through 24 of 2013,
was able to conduct a “Weekend with Stuie” event. A 1942 Berwick built M3A1 Stuart Tank took part in the Columbia County Bicentennial Parade and Exhibition. The tank was brought to Test Track Park where a well-attended
Memorial Ceremony for the workers and veterans of the area was held. This particular Stuart Tank is owned by
Steve Greenberg of Wilsonville, Oregon and unfortunately, was just here for a visit.
Research by the Stuart Tank Committee indicates there are approximately 156 Stuart Tanks remaining in the
United States. Although most are the property of the Department of Defense, as many as two dozen remain in
private hands. Currently, a fully restored M3 series Stuart Tank similar to the one brought to Berwick for the
“Weekend with Stuie” event sells for $200,000. An M5 series Stuart Tank in the same condition sells for $250,000.
The public’s reaction during the “Weekend with Stuie” event has reinvigorated the Stuart Tank Committee. Originally established under the auspices of the Berwick Historical Society, new partners such as Berwick Borough
Council, Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, Berwick Industrial Development Association, the Stuart
Tank Chapter of the Marine Corps League, and others, along with supportive media coverage from the Press
Enterprise, Times Leader, WHLM and Metrocast, has brought added attention to these efforts. All funds raised will
be used toward the establishment of a Stuart Tank Memorial in Berwick. We have set a time limit of 8 years to raise
To request a presentation regarding the historical significance of the Berwick-built Stuart Tanks for your group or
for further information regarding the Stuart Tank Committee, contact Tom McLaughlin 570-350-9675 or e-mail: [email protected]
Contributions to the Stuart Tank Committee are tax-deductible through the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation - 501(c)(3).
Please make checks payable to Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF), note “Stuart Tank Fund” on the memo line.
Credit Cards accepted at www.csgiving.org − click DONATE, select “Stuart Tank Campaign Fund”, click DONATE again
www.bringstuiehome.org
www.bringstuiehome.org
the funds necessary to obtain a Stuart tank. If, after 8 years, we have fallen short of obtaining an actual Stuart
tank, all monies raised will be used to honor the contributions of all involved with the Stuart tank and to educate
those who followed as to the efforts of these individuals.
The Stuart Tank Committee wishes to ensure that ALL workers throughout Pennsylvania who were involved in
building these tanks and all soldiers who rode these tanks into battle are recognized for their heroic efforts during
a time of world conflict. It must be noted that this simply is not strictly a Berwick project, but a project to honor
everyone who had a part in anything Stuart tank related. This desire is emphasized in the committee’s core
mission statement which encompasses all people who played a part in making the beloved Stuie a part of history.
Donating would assure that the memories of your grandfathers, friends, neighbors, communities, and family will
remain alive when it comes to recognizing the efforts they played to help protect democracy.
To help in the building of the Stuart Tank Memorial for ACF workers and military veterans, your tax deductible
contributions can be addressed to:
Central Susquehanna Community Foundation
Stuart Tank Fund
725 West Front Street
Berwick, PA 18603
Make checks payable to Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF), note “Stuart Tank Fund” on memo line.
Credit Cards or PayPal accepted at http://www.csgiving.org/make_donation/donate.html click on “Stuart Tank Fund”
The Stuart Tank Committee is available for presentations to educate and inform your group, school, or organization concerning the historical significance of the American Car & Foundry – Berwick Plant and the Stuart Light
Tank. We also welcome to our committee anyone who wishes to contribute their ideas and time.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
The Stuart Tank Committee
Committee Contact:
Tom McLaughlin
570-350-9675 cell
[email protected]
To request a presentation regarding the historical significance of the Berwick-built Stuart Tanks for your group or
for further information regarding the Stuart Tank Committee, contact Tom McLaughlin 570-350-9675 or e-mail: [email protected]
Contributions to the Stuart Tank Committee are tax-deductible through the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation - 501(c)(3).
Please make checks payable to Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF), note “Stuart Tank Fund” on the memo line.
Credit Cards accepted at www.csgiving.org − click DONATE, select “Stuart Tank Campaign Fund”, click DONATE again
www.bringstuiehome.org