| Original Caption: “We couldn’t stick around long though. The Jerries were on the run and we wanted to keep them that way. The Tricolor flying from the Arc de Triomphe looked pretty good as we went through.” A Ford Motor Company 6-wheel-drive M8 “Greyhound” armored scout car of Troop A, 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 102nd “Essex” Cavalry Group passes by the Arc de Triomphe during the “Liberation Day” parade in Paris held on August 29, 1944. Troop A of the 102nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, along with Troop A, 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, each claimed to be the “first in Paris.” 3 102nd Cavalry Group soldiers had entered Paris the night of August 24 to link up with the Deuxième Division Blindée Française (“French Second Armored Division”). At 0530 Hours on August 25, 1944, Troop A under Captain William Buenzle (October 17, 1914 – March 28, 1985) entered Paris via Rue de la Fontainebleau, becoming the 1st American unit to enter Paris in force. Captain Buenzle’s M8 Greyhound, seen in this view, was driven by Private 1st Class James F. Billingsley (February 6, 1919 – ????); the radio operator was Technician 4th Class Bernard Helmer (November 4, 1910 – December 30, 1976); the gunner was Technician 5th Class Lawrence B. Speed (April 3, 1923 – April 7, 1995). 3 hours later, United States Army 1st Lieutenant Howard B. Tully (March 17, 1915 – January 13, 1990) commanding Troop A, 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, radioed Colonel Cyrus A. Dolph III (August 4, 1906 – April 29, 1985), commander of the 102nd Cavalry Group, “I am at Notre Dame,” and Dolph responded, “How do you know?” Dolby replied, “Dammit colonel, I’m looking right up at Notre Dame!” All of Troop A gathered at Notre Dame by 1100 Hours. All bridges in Paris were secured, but heavy combat at the Corbeil crossing broke out between the Forces françaises de l’Intérieur (“French Forces of the Interior”) supported by the 102nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and the Nazi German garrison lasted for 5 hours until 1615 Hours. The Deuxième Division Blindée Française entered Paris at 1645 Hours and the Nazi garrison surrendered the same day. While Captain Buenzle’s M8 Greyhound was in the August 29 Victory Parade, the rest of the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron was ordered north of the city to continue pursuit of the Nazis. This image appeared in the October 14, 1944, edition of the Saturday Evening Post. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0433.jpg |
| Image Size | 672.22 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2350 x 2898 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | August 28, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Paris |
| State or Province | Île-de-France |
| Country | France |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-208-YE-68 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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