Unit History - 1st Armored Division

Soon after the activation of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Knox on July 15, 1940, its first commander, Major General Bruce R. Magruder, began searching for an appropriate nickname for the division. From a painting of the USS Constitution he noted its nickname, “Old Ironsides”. Impressed with the parallel between the early development of the tank and the Navy’s “Old Ironsides” spirit of daring and durability he decided the 1st Armored Division should also be named “Old Ironsides.” Thus a famous warship of the US Navy and the famous 1st Armored Division of the US Army are historically and appropriately welded by name “Old Ironsides.”