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6:40th Armor

9 members•1 unit

6:40th Armor Homepage Photos Members

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U.S. Army

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About 6:40th Armor

The 6th Battalion, 40th Armor (6/40th Armor) was a unit of the United States Army Armor branch, activated during the Cold War era. Originally constituted as part of the 40th Armor Regiment, the battalion was assigned to provide armored support and training at various U.S. Army installations, including service as a training unit at Fort Ord, California. During its tenure, the 6/40th Armor played a significant role in preparing soldiers for armored warfare, focusing on the operation and tactics of main battle tanks. The battalion was eventually inactivated as part of Army force reductions in the post-Cold War period, with its lineage and honors preserved within the Armor branch.

About 6:40th Armor

About this Unit

Historical Facts

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.

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6:40th Armor

9 members•1 unit

6:40th Armor Homepage Photos Members

Relive and share the memories of your service-time with your brothers and sisters in arms today. VetFriends.com can help you reconnect.

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Branch

U.S. Army

Members

About 6:40th Armor

Photos

26 helicopters with this symbol on the front.

U.S. Army • 1966

C-6-2 • U.S. Army

Funeral for MSG Blosser, Jr.

U.S. Army • 2026

Our Fallen Heroes

148th Infantry Regiment • U.S. Army • 2012

About 6:40th Armor

About this Unit

Historical Facts

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.