One of the US Army's mascots - a Cold War-era M48 Patton tank - got fixed up just in time for the holidays

• A Cold War-era M48 Patton tank that's been a monument for the US Third Army and US Army Central underwent restoration at Fort Knox this fall.
• The tank, de-rusted, sealed, and newly painted, returned to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina just a few days before Christmas.
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FORT KNOX, Kentucky - A Cold-War-era tank that has served as a monument for both the Third Army and US Army Central has received a bright and shiny new paint job just in time for Christmas.

The M48 Patton tank, which is owned by US Army Central (USARCENT), was transported from Shaw Air Force Base to Fort Knox's Logistic Readiness Center for a preservation project in late September. The 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) oversaw the project.

Michael Clauss, US Army Central's command historian, and former USARCENT Intelligence Sergeant Major, discussed why the M48 tank needed a cosmetic makeover.