1st Infantry Division (United States)

1st Infantry Division (United States)
Unit name	1st Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1917–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Combined arms
Role	Division
Size	~17,000 soldiers
Command structure	III Armored Corps
Garrison	Fort Riley, Kansas
Nickname	"The Big Red One"
Motto	"No Mission Too Difficult. No Sacrifice Too Great. Duty First!"
Battles	World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Current commander	Major General John V. Meyer III
Notable commanders	Omar Bradley, Clarence R. Huebner, John W. Vessey Jr.

1st Infantry Division (United States). The 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed "The Big Red One" for its distinctive shoulder patch, is the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army. It was first organized in 1917 for service in World War I and has since fought in every major American conflict of the 20th and 21st centuries. The division is renowned for its combat effectiveness and has been commanded by notable figures such as General Omar Bradley.

History

The division was constituted in May 1917 following the American entry into World War I and began training at Camp Greene in North Carolina. It deployed to France under the command of Major General William L. Sibert and became the first American division to see combat in World War I, fighting in major offensives like the Battle of Cantigny and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Reactivated at Fort Benning in 1940, it was a key formation in World War II, landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day and fighting through campaigns including the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the advance into Germany. Throughout the Cold War, the division was stationed in West Germany as part of NATO's forward defense and later saw extensive combat in the Vietnam War, operating from bases like Lai Khê.

Organization

The division is a combined arms formation headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas, under the operational control of III Armored Corps. Its current structure includes two armored brigade combat teams, the 1st and 2nd ABCTs, and the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade. Additional supporting units include the 1st Division Artillery, the 1st Sustainment Brigade, and the 101st Military Intelligence Brigade. This modular organization allows the division to deploy and command a flexible mix of infantry, armor, artillery, and aviation assets for a wide range of missions.

Campaigns and battles

The division's battle honors span over a century of warfare. In World War I, it participated in the Second Battle of the Marne and the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. During World War II, its campaigns included the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Battle of Aachen, and the capture of the Remagen bridge. In the Vietnam War, it was engaged in operations such as Operation Attleboro and the Battle of Ap Gu. More recently, it led the VII Corps' armored assault during Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War, and its brigades conducted numerous deployments during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), including in regions like Baghdad and Kunar Province.

Insignia and nicknames

The division's official shoulder sleeve insignia is a large, red numeral "1" on a plain olive drab background, which earned it the enduring nickname "The Big Red One." This simple design was authorized in 1918 and has remained largely unchanged. Other historical nicknames include "The Fighting First" and "The Bloody First," reflecting its reputation for being at the forefront of difficult combat. The division's motto, "Duty First," encapsulates its ethos, and its distinctive patch is one of the most recognized symbols in the United States Armed Forces.

Notable members

Many distinguished soldiers have served in the division. Renowned World War II commanders include General Omar Bradley and Lieutenant General Clarence R. Huebner. Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, served with the division. Other notable members include Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John W. Vessey Jr., and Vietnam War correspondent Joe Galloway. The division has also been a proving ground for numerous Army leaders who later attained high rank.

Current status

As of the 2020s, the 1st Infantry Division remains a premier combat-ready formation within the United States Army. Based at Fort Riley, it regularly rotates brigades to support global operations and exercises with allies, particularly in Europe under the auspices of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence. The division continues to modernize its equipment, integrating new systems like the M1 Abrams tank and the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, ensuring it is prepared to fulfill its motto and address contemporary threats alongside partners like the Polish Armed Forces.

Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1917