1st Division (United States)

1st Division (United States)
Unit name	1st Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1917–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry Division
Role	Combined arms
Garrison	Fort Riley
Nickname	"The Big Red One"
Motto	"Duty First"
Notable commanders	John J. Pershing, John J. McAuliffe, Omar Bradley, Douglas MacArthur

1st Division (United States) is a regular United States Army division with a continuous lineage from World War I to the present, widely known by the nickname "The Big Red One". The division served in major 20th- and 21st-century conflicts including World War I, World War II, the Korean War (as a training formation), the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan. The division's history is tied to prominent campaigns such as the Battle of Cantigny, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the Normandy landings, the Battle of Aachen, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

History

Activated in 1917 under the command of William L. Sibert and assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces, the division first saw combat at Cantigny and later participated in the Second Battle of the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive under the strategic direction of commanders aligned with John J. Pershing. Between wars the division was stationed at posts including Fort Riley and Fort Sam Houston. In World War II the division deployed to the European Theater of Operations and took part in Operation Overlord, fighting through Normandy campaign, the Siege of Metz, the Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge phase of the Ardennes Counteroffensive. During the Cold War the division underwent mechanization and reorganization influenced by Pentomic and Reorganization Objective Army Divisions concepts, rotating through bases such as Fort Devens and Fort Riley. In Vietnam War years units of the division operated in Southeast Asia and returned to the United States during the post-Vietnamization drawdown. Elements deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm under coalition commands led by Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.; later deployments included Operation Iraqi Freedom during the Iraq War and counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan alongside NATO partners.

Organization and Structure

The division's structure evolved from a World War I square division to a triangular infantry division, later to a mechanized and combined-arms formation. Typical headquarters elements include a Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, maneuver brigades such as the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, a Combat Aviation Brigade, a Division Artillery (DIVARTY), a Sustainment Brigade, and attached Military Police and Engineer units. The division integrates brigades equipped with M1 Abrams, M2 Bradley, Stryker Combat Vehicle, and rotary-wing aircraft like the AH-64 Apache in aviation brigades. Training, readiness, and force generation follow policies promulgated by United States Army Forces Command and align with United States Northern Command and United States Central Command deployment cycles.

Combat Operations and Campaigns

In World War I the division won acclaim at Cantigny and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive under the American Expeditionary Forces. In World War II it conducted amphibious operations in Operation Overlord and fought in key European engagements including the Normandy campaign, the Siege of Brest, and the Battle of Aachen. During the Vietnam War elements fought in operations alongside formations such as the 1st Cavalry Division and Americal Division in campaigns including the Tet Offensive era actions. In Operation Desert Storm the division maneuvered as part of VII Corps or coalition formations during the liberation of Kuwait City and engagements along the Saudi Arabian–Iraq theater. In Iraq War campaigns the division participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, urban operations in Fallujah and stability operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Afghanistan the division contributed forces to counterinsurgency and training missions collaborating with International Security Assistance Force partners.

Notable Units and Equipment

Notable subordinate units have included the 16th Infantry Regiment, 18th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Engineer Battalion, the 6th Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, and aviation units such as the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade. The division historically employed equipment ranging from M1917 Enfield rifles and M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle in World War I, to M4 Sherman tanks and M1 Garand rifles in World War II, to modern systems including M1 Abrams main battle tanks, M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot (missile) batteries for theater air defense, and unmanned aerial systems such as the MQ-1 Predator for reconnaissance support.

Commanders and Leadership

Commanders over the division's history have included figures such as John J. Pershing (senior influence during WWI), Omar Bradley (career association), Douglas MacArthur (early career linkages), and commanders in later conflicts like Donald Blakeslee-era leaders and contemporary generals assigned under United States Army Forces Command. Division leadership integrates staff sections S1–S6, brigade commanders, battalion commanders, and senior noncommissioned officers including Command Sergeants Major who coordinate training and operations with higher echelons like United States Central Command and United States Northern Command.

Honors and Decorations

The division has received campaign streamers for World War I campaigns such as Aisne-Marne and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, numerous World War II battle honors including Normandy and Central Europe, and unit awards tied to Vietnam War and Global War on Terrorism service. Decorations include Distinguished Unit Citations, Presidential Unit Citations, Meritorious Unit Commendations, and foreign awards authorized by allied nations including recognitions from France and Belgium for World War II service. Individual soldiers from the division have received awards such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star for valor in multiple conflicts.

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