49th Armored

• Origins: The 49th Armored Division was originally formed as part of the Texas Army National Guard in 1947, inheriting the lineage of the historic 49th Infantry Division. • Nickname: The unit was often nicknamed the "Lone Star Division," reflecting its Texas roots. • Cold War Role: Throughout the Cold War, the 49th Armored Division served as a key reserve force, prepared to reinforce NATO forces in Europe if needed. • Domestic Deployments: Members of the division were mobilized to help maintain order during civil disturbances, such as during the 1957 integration crisis at Little Rock and natural disasters in Texas. • Modernization: In the 1960s and 1970s, the division was among the first National Guard units to receive the M60 Patton main battle tank, enhancing its combat capabilities. • Training Exercises: The 49th Armored Division regularly participated in large-scale training exercises, such as REFORGER in Germany, to maintain readiness alongside active-duty forces. • Commanders: Notable commanders included Major General Ross Ayers, who led modernization efforts and improved the division’s training standards in the 1970s. • Reorganization: In 1992, the 49th Armored Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 49th Armored Brigade, reflecting broader changes in the post-Cold War Army structure. • Balkans Deployment: In 2000, the headquarters of the 49th Armored Division was activated for a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, marking one of the first times a National Guard division headquarters commanded active-duty forces overseas. • Legacy: Elements of the 49th Armored’s lineage continue today in the Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division, preserving the traditions and honors of the unit.