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The 1st Armored Division—known as “Old Ironsides”—is America’s original armored division, activated in 1940 and still fielding tanks, Bradleys, and armored forces today at Fort Bliss, Texas. From North Africa and Italy in World War II to Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the “Iron Soldiers” have a legacy of armored mobility, firepower, and combined arms excellence. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 1st Armored Division.
The 1st Armored Division was constituted on 13 July 1940 and activated on 15 July 1940 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. It was the U.S. Army’s first armored division, created to exploit tank, mechanized infantry, and artillery mobility in large-scale operations. The nickname “Old Ironsides” was adopted early, inspired by the warship USS Constitution, with the division embracing it as a symbol of toughness, resilience, and armored strength.
World War II Combat
The division’s combat debut came in Operation Torch (November 1942) in North Africa, making it the first American armored division to see combat in WWII. It fought through the Tunisia Campaign, on to the Italian Campaign at Anzio, Rome-Arno, and into the Po Valley. The division earned a reputation for rapid movement, armored thrusts, and combined arms action under harsh conditions.
Cold War and U.S./NATO Commitment
Reactivated in 1951, the 1st Armored Division spent the Cold War years in West Germany as part of U.S. Army Europe, providing armored deterrence against the Soviet bloc. Its presence in Germany and readiness drills kept it at the forefront of NATO’s defense posture.
Gulf War and Modern Deployments
In 1991, during the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), the division was at the spearhead of armored attacks—destroying Iraqi armor and liberating Kuwait. In the 21st century, the division relocated to Fort Bliss, Texas, and its brigade combat teams deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting large-scale armored and mechanized operations, counterinsurgency, and security missions.
Mission, Role & Structure
Today, the 1st Armored Division remains a heavy armored division, combining Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, engineers, and sustainment assets. Based at Fort Bliss, it is part of the U.S. Army’s heavy force pool, capable of large-scale combat operations, rapid deployment, and combined arms maneuver across the globe.
Identity & Honors
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Nickname: “Old Ironsides”
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Motto: “Iron Soldiers!”
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Garrison: Fort Bliss, Texas
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Major Campaigns: North Africa, Tunisia, Italy (WWII); Desert Storm; Iraq; Afghanistan
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Notable Honors: Numerous unit citations and campaign streamers for actions in WWII, Southwest Asia, and the Global War on Terror
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Legacy: The division pioneered American armored warfare doctrine and continues to define heavy combat power in the U.S. Army.
Why It Matters
The 1st Armored Division stands as a living link between early armored warfare and today’s high-tech combined arms battlespace. For veterans, historians—and apparel collectors—its legacy offers a strong symbol of armored force, mobility, and strength. Whether commemorating its tank crews in North Africa or its mechanized operations in the Middle East, “Old Ironsides” remains a powerful and relevant identity.
Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 1st Armored Division.