About this Unit
The **1st Army** is a designation used by several nations, most notably by the United States, Germany, France, and Russia, often as a primary field army in major conflicts. In the United States, the First Army was established in 1918 during World War I under General John J. Pershing and played a crucial role in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. Re-activated for World War II, the US First Army, under General Omar Bradley, led the assault on Omaha and Utah beaches during the D-Day landings and pushed through France and into Germany. In subsequent decades, the First Army's mission shifted to training and preparing reserve and National Guard units, continuing its legacy as a key component of national defense.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War I: The 1st Army (First United States Army) was activated in France on July 4, 1918, under the command of General John J. Pershing. It became the first field army-level command of the U.S. Army to see combat in Europe.
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St. Mihiel Offensive: In September 1918, the 1st Army led the St. Mihiel offensive, marking the first major American-led offensive of World War I and contributing to the defeat of German forces in the region.
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Meuse-Argonne Campaign: The 1st Army directed the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest operation of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI, involving over 1.2 million American soldiers.
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D-Day and World War II: The 1st Army, commanded by General Omar Bradley, spearheaded the American landings at Omaha and Utah Beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944, during the Normandy Invasion.
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Breakout from Normandy: After D-Day, the 1st Army played a crucial role in Operation Cobra, breaking out of the Normandy beachhead and advancing rapidly across France.
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Battle of the Bulge: The 1st Army was heavily involved in defending against the German counterattack during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, holding key positions and later helping to push the Germans back.
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Liberation of Concentration Camps: Elements of the 1st Army participated in the liberation of several Nazi concentration camps, including Buchenwald, in 1945.
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Post-WWII Role: After World War II, the 1st Army became a major command tasked with the training, readiness, and mobilization of Army Reserve and National Guard units in the United States.
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Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The 1st Army wears a distinctive black triangular patch with a red-bordered letter “A”, symbolizing the Army’s first numerical designation.
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Modern Mission: Today, the 1st Army is headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, and is primarily responsible for training, mobilization, and deployment support for Army Reserve and National Guard units, ensuring operational readiness for overseas and domestic missions.
