Unit Insignia Details
The 1st Armored Division unit insignia is a triangle divided into three sections, yellow, blue, and red, which are the colors of the branches from which armored units were originally formed. The tank tread, gun, and lightning flash are symbolic of mobility, power, and speed. The "1" on the insignia is the Division's designation. The inscription "OLD IRONSIDES" is the Division's nickname.
Unit History
The 1st Armored Division, proudly known as “Old Ironsides,” is a distinguished combined arms division of the United States Army. Stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, under III Corps, it holds the honor of being the Army’s oldest armored division and the first to enter combat during World War II. Its enduring nickname was bestowed by its first commander, Major General Bruce R. Magruder, who drew inspiration from the famed frigate USS Constitution—a vessel celebrated for its iron resolve and indomitable spirit, virtues that continue to define the warriors of Old Ironsides.
