1:40th Armored Division

The 1st Battalion, 40th Armored Regiment (1/40th Armored) traces its origins to World War II, where its predecessor units served with distinction in major campaigns across Europe. Reactivated during the Cold War, the battalion became part of the 40th Armored Division, California Army National Guard, tasked primarily with armored warfare and homeland defense missions. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, 1/40th Armored participated in numerous training exercises and mobilizations, ensuring readiness for both national emergencies and overseas deployments. Although the 40th Armored Division was inactivated in 1968, the legacy of the 1/40th Armored endures in the traditions and history of California’s armored forces.