2:77 armor, 9th div, ft lewis, wa.

• Origins: The 2nd Battalion, 77th Armor traces its lineage back to the 77th Tank Battalion, which was constituted in 1941 and served with distinction in World War II. • Vietnam Service: 2/77 Armor fought in Vietnam as part of the 25th Infantry Division, earning multiple campaign streamers and unit citations for valor and effectiveness in armored operations. • Reactivation at Fort Lewis: In the late 1970s, 2/77 Armor was activated as part of the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, playing a key role in Army modernization efforts. • High Technology Test Bed: The 9th Infantry Division, including 2/77 Armor, was designated as the "High Technology Test Bed" in the 1980s, experimenting with new vehicles and tactics for future warfare. • Unique Equipment: During its time at Fort Lewis, 2/77 Armor operated a mix of M60A3 Patton tanks and experimental light armored vehicles, a rarity among US Army units at the time. • Combined Arms Training: The unit participated in large-scale exercises at Yakima Training Center and other locations, focusing on combined arms tactics integrating armor, infantry, and aviation. • Cold War Readiness: 2/77 Armor was part of the US Army’s rapid deployment force, tasked with being ready to respond quickly to global contingencies during the height of the Cold War. • Community Engagement: Soldiers from 2/77 Armor frequently participated in community events in the Pacific Northwest, including parades and school visits, building strong ties with local civilians. • Unit Crest and Motto: The battalion's distinctive unit insignia features a black tank tread and the motto "Insiste Firmiter" ("Stand Firm"), symbolizing armored strength and resilience. • Deactivation: After the end of the Cold War, the 2/77 Armor was inactivated along with much of the 9th Infantry Division in the early 1990s as part of a post-Cold War drawdown and restructuring of US Army forces.