87th Maneuver Area Command

• Origins in World War II: The 87th Maneuver Area Command (MAC) traces its lineage to the 87th Infantry Division, which was activated during World War II in 1942 and played a significant role in the European Theater. • Battle Honors: The 87th Infantry Division, predecessor of the 87th MAC, participated in key battles such as the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland Campaign, and the Central Europe Campaign. • Post-War Reorganization: After World War II, the division was inactivated but later re-designated as the 87th Maneuver Area Command in the Army Reserve in 1973, shifting its focus from combat to training and support. • Training Mission: The 87th MAC was responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising large-scale training exercises for Army Reserve, National Guard, and sometimes active duty units, especially at Fort McClellan, Alabama. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The unit’s insignia features a gold acorn, representing strength and potential, on a blue background—symbolizing the division’s nickname, "Golden Acorn Division." • Support During Operations: The 87th MAC provided logistical and operational support for units mobilized for conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism. • Deactivation: As part of Army Reserve restructuring, the 87th MAC was inactivated in 1995, with its training responsibilities absorbed by other commands. • Veteran Community: Despite deactivation, former members of the 87th MAC and its predecessor division maintain active veterans’ associations, organizing reunions and commemorations. • Legacy of Leadership: The 87th MAC produced several high-ranking officers who went on to serve in key Army Reserve and active duty leadership roles. • Memorialization: The history and contributions of the 87th MAC are preserved in military museums, including exhibits at the U.S. Army Reserve Command headquarters and the National Infantry Museum.