1:73 Armor

• Origins in World War II: The 1st Battalion, 73rd Armor traces its lineage to the 756th Tank Battalion, which was activated in June 1941 and saw action in North Africa, Italy, and France during WWII. • Redesignations: Over the decades, the unit underwent multiple redesignations, becoming the 73rd Heavy Tank Battalion in 1949 and later the 73rd Armor Regiment in 1957. • Cold War Service: 1/73 Armor served in Germany as part of the U.S. Army's forward-deployed forces during the Cold War, ready to confront any potential Warsaw Pact aggression. • Korean War Deployment: Elements of the 73rd Armor participated in the Korean War, supporting infantry operations and engaging North Korean and Chinese forces. • Innovative Tactics: The unit was among the first to experiment with combined arms tactics, integrating armor, infantry, and artillery for more effective battlefield performance. • Gulf War Participation: Soldiers from 1/73 Armor saw action during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, contributing to the swift liberation of Kuwait. • Airborne Armor: In the 1990s, 1/73 Armor became the first and only armor battalion to be assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, making it unique as an "airborne armor" unit. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting combat operations and security missions. • Decorations: The unit has earned multiple commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations and foreign awards for its gallantry and distinguished service. • Legacy and Reactivation: Though inactivated and reactivated several times, 1/73 Armor’s legacy of innovation and valor continues to inspire armored and airborne units in the U.S. Army today.