I Corps (United States)

I Corps (United States) is a corps of the United States Army and is one of the active corps of United States Army Forces Command. It is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and has seen combat in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), and the Iraq War. The corps has been led by notable commanders such as Leslie Groves, who later became the director of the Manhattan Project, and Matthew Ridgway, who played a crucial role in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. I Corps has also worked closely with other units, including the 25th Infantry Division, the 2nd Infantry Division, and the 1st Cavalry Division.

● History

The history of I Corps dates back to January 15, 1918, when it was first activated at Neufchâteau, France during World War I. The corps was initially composed of the 1st Division, the 2nd Division, and the 26th Division, and was led by Hunter Liggett. I Corps played a significant role in the Battle of Cantigny, the Battle of Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, fighting alongside units such as the 32nd Division and the 42nd Division. After the war, the corps was inactivated on April 20, 1919, but was reactivated on August 1, 1922. During World War II, I Corps was led by commanders such as Robert L. Eichelberger and Innis P. Swift, and saw action in the New Guinea campaign and the Leyte campaign, working closely with units like the 6th Army and the Eighth United States Army.

● Organization

I Corps is currently composed of several divisions, including the 2nd Infantry Division, the 7th Infantry Division, and the 25th Infantry Division. The corps is also supported by various brigade combat teams, such as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Additionally, I Corps works closely with other units, including the 1st Special Forces Group, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The corps is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which is also home to units such as the 62nd Airlift Wing and the 446th Airlift Wing.

● Commanders

I Corps has been led by several notable commanders throughout its history, including Leslie Groves, Matthew Ridgway, and James Van Fleet. Other notable commanders include John H. Hester, who led the corps during the Korean War, and Charles C. Campbell, who led the corps during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). The current commander of I Corps is Gary J. Volesky, who has also served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division. I Corps has also been supported by notable leaders such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served as the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during World War II, and Creighton Abrams, who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

● Operations

I Corps has seen combat in several major conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), and the Iraq War. During World War I, the corps fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Cantigny and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. In World War II, the corps saw action in the New Guinea campaign and the Leyte campaign, working closely with units like the 1st Marine Division and the 11th Airborne Division. During the Korean War, the corps fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, alongside units such as the 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd Infantry Division. In recent years, I Corps has been involved in several major operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, working closely with units like the 10th Mountain Division and the 4th Infantry Division.

● Insignia

The insignia of I Corps is a blue disk with a white numeral "I" in the center, surrounded by a red border. The insignia was approved on May 12, 1922, and has been worn by soldiers of the corps ever since. The corps also has a distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia, which features a blue disk with a white numeral "I" in the center, surrounded by a red border. The shoulder sleeve insignia is worn by soldiers of the corps on their uniforms, along with other insignia such as the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge. I Corps has also been awarded several notable awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award, for its service in various conflicts, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Fallujah.