The United States built a staggering 49,234 Sherman tanks between 1942 and 1945. ... it’s important to view it in context. The side with the Sherman won the war. This article first appeared back ...

Still—as maligned as the Sherman often is, it’s important to view it in context. The side with the Sherman won the war. This article by Kyle Mizokami originally appeared at War is Boring in 2014.

Flame tanks, artillery tractors, recovery tanks, engineer tanks, and motorized howitzers all credit the Sherman as a predecessor. The Sherman on display at Rock Island Arsenal is an M4A3 variant.

Clarence Smoyer was a gunner on tanks in the Third Armored Division in the drive into Germany. Now 95, he had the chance to ride on one again in Charlestown on Wednesday.