First Infantry Division Big Red One

• Oldest U.S. Division: The First Infantry Division, known as the "Big Red One" for its distinctive shoulder patch, is the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army, activated in June 1917. • World War I Debut: The division fought in major World War I battles, including Cantigny, Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, becoming the first U.S. division to engage in sustained combat on European soil. • D-Day Heroes: On June 6, 1944, the Big Red One led the assault on Omaha Beach during D-Day, suffering heavy casualties but playing a crucial role in securing the beachhead. • North African Campaign: The division participated in Operation Torch, landing in Oran, Algeria, and later fighting at Kasserine Pass in Tunisia, marking America's first major battle against Axis forces in World War II. • Vietnam War: The First Infantry Division was the first U.S. Army division deployed to Vietnam in 1965, earning a reputation for effectiveness in counterinsurgency operations and jungle warfare. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Over its history, soldiers from the Big Red One have earned more than 30 Medals of Honor for acts of valor and heroism in combat. • Nickname Origin: The "Big Red One" nickname comes from the division's prominent shoulder patch: a large red numeral "1" on a dark green background, symbolizing its status as the first division. • Desert Storm: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the division spearheaded the ground assault into Iraq, breaching enemy lines and capturing thousands of Iraqi soldiers. • Hollywood Fame: The division's actions inspired the 1980 film The Big Red One, directed by Samuel Fuller, himself a World War II veteran of the division. • Modern Deployments: The division has served in peacekeeping and combat missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, maintaining its legacy as a deployable and combat-ready force in the 21st century.