Almost three years of intensive development finally led to the introduction of theT26E3 “General Pershing” into battle during the closing months of the European War. After its baptism of fire, the Pershing was standardized as the M26 in late March 1945. In 1948 the first improved M26A1s were accepted. These tanks were armed with the 90mm gun M3A1 in the combination gun mount M67A1.