1:63rd Armor

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Branch

U.S. Army

Members

About 1:63rd Armor

The 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment (1/63rd Armor) traces its lineage to the activation of the 63rd Armor Regiment in 1942 during World War II, where its elements saw combat in the European Theater. After the war, the unit underwent several reorganizations and was assigned to various armored divisions, including the famed 1st Infantry Division. Throughout the Cold War, 1/63rd Armor served in Germany as part of NATO forces, maintaining readiness against potential Warsaw Pact aggression. In recent decades, the battalion deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, earning numerous commendations for its combat performance and adaptability in armored warfare.

Unit Members

John Aaron

U.S. Army

1:63rd ArmorView Profile

Burley Gardner

U.S. Army

1:63rd ArmorView Profile

Photos

Oscar Fender

U.S. Army • 1944

Off to the Rifle Range

U.S. Air Force • 1968

About 1:63rd Armor

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Origins: The 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment (1/63rd Armor) traces its lineage back to World War II, originally activated as Company A, 745th Tank Battalion in 1942. • Normandy Invasion: The unit landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day+1, June 7, 1944, supporting the 1st Infantry Division in the drive across France. • Battle Honors: 1/63rd Armor has received numerous awards, including campaign streamers for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace (Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe. • Cold War Service: After WWII, the battalion was redesignated and served in Europe during the Cold War as part of the U.S. Army’s forward presence in Germany. • Persian Gulf War: Elements of the 1/63rd Armor deployed to Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991. • Balkans Deployments: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the unit participated in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo as part of NATO missions. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion deployed to Iraq in 2003 and again in subsequent years, participating in major combat operations and stability missions. • Nickname and Motto: The 1/63rd Armor is known as “Dragons” and their motto is “Victory or Death.” • Modernization: The unit has been among the first to field new armored vehicles and technology, including the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. • Current Assignment: As of recent years, 1/63rd Armor is assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas, continuing its legacy of excellence.