6:40th Armor

• Origins: The 6th Battalion, 40th Armor (6/40th Armor) traces its lineage to the original 40th Armored Regiment, which was constituted during World War II as part of the United States Army’s armored force expansion. • Cold War Era: The 6/40th Armor was activated in the 1960s and became part of the 7th Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Ord, California, during the Cold War, serving as a key armored battalion on the West Coast. • Unit Motto: The battalion's motto is “Saber and Spur,” symbolizing its cavalry heritage and armored warfare capabilities. • Vietnam War Training: While the unit itself was not deployed to Vietnam, it played a crucial role in training and preparing soldiers and crews for deployment to the conflict. • Desert Training Center: 6/40th Armor participated in major field exercises at the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California, where it helped pioneer new armored tactics for desert warfare. • Equipment: The battalion was equipped with M60A3 Patton tanks during the 1980s, before transitioning to the M1 Abrams series as part of modernization efforts. • Operation Golden Pheasant: Elements of the battalion participated in Operation Golden Pheasant in 1988, a rapid deployment to Honduras to deter Nicaraguan incursions. • Base Closure: The inactivation of the 6/40th Armor was part of the larger base realignment and closure (BRAC) process in the early 1990s, following the end of the Cold War and the closure of Fort Ord. • Distinctive Insignia: The unit’s distinctive unit insignia features a gold spur and saber, referencing both cavalry traditions and the armored nature of the battalion. • Legacy: Veterans of the 6/40th Armor maintain a strong camaraderie and often participate in reunions, preserving the battalion's history and stories for future generations.