Rank 1 tanks are special to all players, because it is where they first began the game. These startup tanks are the foundation from which the game's community grows, and I believe it is a requirement to educate players on how to use them effectively.

Some basic notes:

Battle tanks (light, med, heavy) are designed to do most of the team's heavy lifting.

Tank destroyers are designed to stay behind teammates and pick off enemies that get too close.

SPAA are designed primarily to shoot aircraft, but can double as a tank destroyer if used correctly

never bring more than 50 ammo at a time, unless wielding more than 1 cannon. too much makes you risk being blown up more easily, while too little makes you run out too fast.

The M2A4 is a Reserve tank for the USA tech tree. Just because its a Reserve tank does not mean it needs to be replaced, it is actually quite the opponent in combat. The speed of the M2A4 is astounding: 39 miles per hour! It also has a incredible reload rate of 3 seconds when upgraded.
This insanity of speed and firepower can be used to quickly move from cover to an attack position, and then back into cover before the enemy understands what happened! Of course, this requires skill to accomplish, and what I recommend doing as the M2A4 is using your speed to get into the best shooting locations on the map (behind rocks or buildings, overlooking a capture point, on the enemy's flank, etc) then unleashing a flurry of rapid shots from your 3-second-reloading cannon. Be sure to research the M51 Shot for the M2A4 so that you deal as much damage and penetration as possible! I always recommend using 50 rounds at most for tanks, as less than that could make you run out too fast, and more than that puts you at a greater risk of being ammo racked (blown up via ammunition explosion).

The M3 Stuart has the same playstyle as the M2A4, the only difference being that it has MORE ARMOR. Though it isn't that noticeable in-game the M3 Stuart is slightly slower than the M2A4.
The M3 Stuart should be considered a second M2A4 during a game and utilized as either a backup for the M2A4 or a temporary replacement for the M2A4.

The M3A1 Stuart is the pinnacle of this trio of tanks. It is faster than the M2A4 and the M3 Stuart at 40 miles per hour! It also has the fearsome 3 second reload rate and the highest armor of all 3 vehicles. Sitting at BR 1.7, this Stuart is arguably the best rank 1 USA tank, sharing the top spots with the M22 Locust. Be sure to research and equip the M51B1/B2 Shot as soon as possible! With the proper ammo and skill, the M3A1 can run and gun the enemy into submission by darting to and from cover and using a rapid reload to subdue its prey.

These 3 tanks are the "Ambush" tanks, Designed to dart from cover to cover and rapidly subdue enemy tanks. Their best ammunition, when researched, will allow you to pen nearly any tank at your BR.

The M2 is a interesting tank. Sitting at a undeserved BR 1.3, the fragile and cumbersome M2 is difficult to master. The turret rotation speed is AWFUL to say the least. When upgraded it rotates at 8 degrees per second (compared to 30 degrees per second on the M22 Locust). Needless to say, you must be extra careful as an M2. M2's are tall, and with a turret on top of the already tall hull, the turret depression (how far it can go down) is also awful, because the tank's hull blocks the turret from shooting downwards. Long story short, use the M2 as a backup vechicle if your better tanks are destroyed. If you like the M2 and want to know how to utilize it, then allow me to show you! The M2 is somewhat slower than the "Ambush tanks" (M2A4, M3 and M3A1), meaning you can't quite get the jump on enemy tanks as easily. To use the M2 effectively, stick with teammates and act as a fast-reloading support tank, offering cover fire for your allies and staying out of sight of the enemy as much as possible.

As a side note, the M2 is COVERED in machine guns! This means that if you are to ever find an enemy vehicle that has an open cabin, they are pretty much toast if you open fire with your machine guns. The front of the M2 has FIVE MACHINE GUNS, so exposed crew members beware.

The LVT is a large and unusual semi-aquatic tank. Firstly, you are big, really big. Because of the LVT's size, you must stick to cover as much as possible.Your hull is also very long, so long that it blocks you from making close range shots. Keep your distance from the enemy and stick to cover for your best chances of getting a kill and or staying alive. The LVT also has PITIFUL armor, so almost any ammo at your BR will penetrate your hull. Your secret weapon is that you can go through deep water. This ability to traverse water means that you can take routes that most tanks cannot, keep that in mind when trying to flank the enemy or get into position for an attack.

In addition, the turret rotation speed of the LVT is remarkably quick! you can easily whip your turret into position on incoming enemy tanks. The reload rate is also quite quick at 3 seconds.

Where do I begin? It is only armed with machine guns. This stupidly low firepower tank cannot pen any other tanks whatsoever. Your only hope is to catch an enemy open cabin/turret vehicle with exposed crew and pick them off.

This is by far one of the best tanks at rank 1 for the USA. It has speed, decent armor, great turret rotation, and a fast reload. Research the M51B1/B2 Shells as soon as you can, as they have serious penetration power at your battle rating. Perform ambush tactics as employed by the M2A4, the M3 Stuart, and the M3A1 Stuart. Your lower profile will keep you from getting shot as easily, but that also means you have less crew to work with. If hit in the crew compartment, it is game over, so you must play carefully and use strategic positioning (such as hiding just out of the enemy's line of sight or angling yourself on top of a hill overlooking a capture point). If spotted, use your speed to get to safety as soon as you can.

The half tracks! These open-top vehicles don't look very effective, but looks are deceptive. The M13 MGMC is an extremely viable Anti-air gun! When equipped with APIT rounds, the enemy fighters will beg for mercy! Just stay out of the tank on tank conflict and look towards the skies.

The M3 GMC on the other hand is far more useful in my opinion, as it can snipe enemy tanks with extreme prejudice. You see, its 75mm gun is immensely good against enemies at your BR. The only problem is that you are a half track and must take some time to position your vehicle correctly. Equip the M61 shot as soon as you unlock it. It is an extremely potent ammunition type. I have had issues with ammo bouncing however. To mitigate bounced shells, fire at enemies that are perfectly head on or broadside and or aim for the crease between the turret and the hull of enemy tanks.

Half Tracks are open-topped, which means that you are in danger from airplanes and artillery. Stay back from the main force and practice "Social distancing" as a half track. You can act as support for allies, just remember that if you do you are the greatest one at risk of destruction.

The M8 HMC has an unbelievably bad turret rotation speed of 5 degrees per second. However, it has a nasty surprise waiting for enemies at its BR... HEAT ROUNDS. you heard me correctly, it is the only USA tank at BR 1.0-1.7 that uses HEAT shells. With a reload of around 4 seconds, it is decent at delivering a follow up shot if the first one wasn't enough. To use the M8 effectively, stay back from the primary conflict and use your potent HEAT shells to take care of enemies that stray too close to you. Adopt a strategic position on the battlefield overlooking a capture point or a chokepoint and make sure there is no way for an enemy to come from behind you (remember that awful turret rotation will be a death sentence if an enemy catches you). Long story short, your adorably short barrel packs a BIG punch, just don't get too close to the action.