ABOUT 4:67 ARMOR, FRIEDBERG
- Unit Designation: 4th Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment (4/67 Armor) was a key armored battalion in the U.S. Army, part of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division, stationed in Friedberg, Germany during the Cold War.
- Cold War Shield: 4/67 Armor served as a front-line deterrent against the Warsaw Pact, positioned near the Fulda Gap—a critical invasion route into Western Europe.
- Nickname: The unit was known as “Bandits,” a moniker proudly displayed on their tanks and unit insignia.
- Friedberg Garrison: The battalion was stationed at Ray Barracks in Friedberg, Germany, the same installation where Elvis Presley famously served during his U.S. Army stint (though with a different unit).
- Gulf War Service: 4/67 Armor deployed to Saudi Arabia and participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, contributing to the liberation of Kuwait.
- Modern Armor: The unit was equipped with M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks by the late 1980s, making it one of the most formidable armored units in NATO.
- Combat Record: During Desert Storm, 4/67 Armor distinguished itself with rapid advances and successful engagements against Iraqi armored forces.
- Deactivation: After the end of the Cold War and the drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe, 4/67 Armor was inactivated in 1996 as part of the U.S. Army’s post-Cold War restructuring.
- Unit Motto: The battalion motto was “Courage Conquers,” reflecting the fighting spirit and ethos of its soldiers.
- Legacy and Reunions: Former members of 4/67 Armor maintain a strong veterans’ network, sharing stories and preserving the unit’s legacy through reunions and online communities.