On April 29^th, 1945, the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau Germany was liberated by U.S. forces.  That much of the story of this death camp is indisputable fact.  Since the day of that liberation, there has been a debate as to which units were involved in the events that day, and who were the true 'Liberators'. 
        Claims and counter claims have been made, books have been written, and documentaries have been produced.  From most accounts, it is clear that at least three U.S. Divisions were 'involved' - the 42^nd Infantry 'Rainbow' Division, the 45^th Infantry 'Thunderbird' Division, and the 20^th Armored 'Liberators' Division. 
        In the book "DACHAU 29 APRIL 1945, THE RAINBOW LIBERATION MEMOIR" Edited by Sam Dann, and published by Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, the author presents what he considers proof that the 42^nd Infantry Division was the first and true liberator of the camp.  The book does, however, mention the 45^th Infantry and 20^th Armored Divisions.
        According to material presented by Albert R. Panebianco on a web site, the 45^th Infantry Division is presented as the first and true liberator of the camp.  The information presented does, however, mention the 42^nd and 20^th.
        Through research and personal interviews, I have discovered that for the most part, the Veterans of the 20^th Armored Division acknowledge the contributions and participation of all three Divisions, and have risen above the controversy.  As the armored spearhead for the drive through southern Germany, the 20^th 'led' these Infantry Divisions, and it was not their mission to 'occupy' specific areas or objectives.  It was the nature of an armored force to take ground and neutralize opposition - it would not have been appropriate for them to actually 'enter' the camp, although some personal accounts by Veterans of the 20^th describe just that.
        The dispute that others have involved themselves in seems to center around 'when' and not 'who'.  The sources noted above claim their personnel were 'first', and yet I have seen a personal account on record (videotaped) that claims the following: Captain Norval L. Pring, 'C' Battery, 413^th Armored Field Artillery, 20^th Armored Division, and his driver, were to meet a party from the 42^nd Infantry Division on the night of April 28^th, 1945.  Their purpose was to coordinate artillery support for operations the following day near Munich.  According to this account the pair got lost and crossed the river in front of the camp at approximately 12:30 AM on the morning of the 29^th, swung open the gates, and turned the yard lights on.  They discovered the bodies of guards and prisoners that had been recently killed, saw the "D.P.'s" (displaced persons) behind a fence, and took the flag that was flying above.  Obviously feeling exposed and somewhat overextended from their original mission, they hurriedly left.  Photographs taken later in the day showed the same train cars that were encountered by all who entered via the 'main gate'.
        To my knowledge, this account has not been published before, and even if it had, it does not prove those men of the 20^th were 'liberators' in the true sense of the word.  It would, however, further complicate the answer to the question of who was 'first'.  All that really matters is that the people in that horrible place were rescued on that fateful day in April.
   
    The following first-hand accounts are from 20th Armored Division veterans.  Their identities have been withheld to prevent harassment.