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 ARMY AND NIKE TEAM UP FOR 2022 ARMY-NAVY UNIFORM TO HONOR THE SOLDIERS OF THE 1ST ARMORED DIVISION

Iron Soldiers

The 2022 Army-Navy Uniform tells the story of the soldiers of the 1st Armored Division during World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Torch and the commencement of American ground operations against Axis forces in the European theater, which included North Africa.

Operation Torch marked the 1st Armored Division’s entry into the crucible of combat. The resilience, grit, and commitment demonstrated by the soldiers ultimately resulted in the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa. In the harsh desert against a determined enemy, the members of the 1st Armored Division were forged into “Iron Soldiers” and learned the lessons that would guide them to success in subsequent operations in Italy and Western Europe.

On December 10, we honor the “Iron Soldiers” of the 1st Armored Division and take the field in Philadelphia inspired by the story of “Old Ironsides.”  In honor of their legacy, we proudly wear their patches and adopt their mottos to propel us to victory on the field of friendly strife. 

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Operation Torch And North Africa

Within weeks of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill settled on a policy of defeating Germany first, before turning their attention to defeating the Empire of Japan. American military leaders sought a cross-English Channel invasion into Europe in early 1943 but acquiesced to a British strategy of attacking along the periphery of Europe in North Africa while Allied forces built up enough personnel and war material for a cross-Channel invasion in the future.

On November 8, 1942, Operation Torch commenced with the amphibious landings in French Morocco and Algeria. It was the largest amphibious operation in history to that point, with vessels sailing from the United States and Great Britain carrying nearly 125,000 Allied soldiers. Operation Torch planners, led by Lieutenant General Dwight Eisenhower, identified three landing sites near the cities of Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers that held critical ports, airfields, and infrastructure that would be crucial for the success of the amphibious invasion and the subsequent North African Campaign. The Torch landings were initially met with stiff resistance by Vichy French forces, but after days of fighting, the Vichy French capitulated and the Allied foothold in Northwest Africa was secured.

The amphibious landings by Allied forces were conducted in conjunction with British efforts in Egypt and Libya. The Allied armies, including the American 1st Armored Division led by Major General Orlando Ward, converged upon Axis forces in Tunisia, entering the crucible of combat against German and Italian forces for the first time. At the Battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943, American forces sustained multiple German assaults that nearly resulted in defeat of the American II Corps. Elements of the 1st Armored Division held firm, buying time for the arrival of critical reinforcements, which halted and reversed the German offensive.

The soldiers of the 1st Armored Division, incorporating lessons learned from the Battle of Kasserine Pass, displayed their competence and discipline at the Battle of El Guettar in March-April 1943. Elements of the 1st Armored Division secured key terrain near El Guettar and repulsed the ensuing Axis offensive. After this American victory, Allied forces converged in Tunisia and initiated offensive operations that destroyed the final Axis defensive belts in Northwest Africa.

Allied forces continued their coordinated assault in Tunisia with American forces, including the 1st Armored Division, now under Major General Ernest Harmon, attacking the city of Bizerte while British forces attacked the Axis stronghold of Tunis. Axis resistance ended on May 13, 1943, with the Allies capturing over 230,000 Axis prisoners of war. By this point the U.S. troops had developed into hardened veterans. The opposing German commander, Erwin Rommel, wrote that “the Americans had fought brilliantly.” Victory in North Africa was the critical first step in the defeat of Axis forces in the European Theater.

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2022 Uniform Inspired Features

  • World War II Era Flag

    The flag is modeled for the era of combat during World War II (Alaska and Hawaii were officially added as states in 1959.) During the invasion of North Africa in 1942, U.S. forces wore the American flag on their left shoulders with the blue field forward to identify themselves to the Vichy French as Americans. By the end of North Africa and before Sicily, units began wearing divisional insignia on their left shoulders. This required moving the American flag to the right shoulder.

  • Streamer

    The campaign streamers are green, representing the green fields of Europe, with a brown stripe symbolizing the sand of Africa on each edge. The center has a narrow blue, white, and red stripe taken from the American Defense Medal ribbon in reference to defense of America after Pearl Harbor. On the upper portion are narrow green, white, and red stripes (the Italian colors) with a narrow white, black and white stripe on the lower portion referring to Germany. The Arrowhead Device on the Algeria-French Morocco Streamer denotes the amphibious assault landing that began Operation Torch.

  • Mud Splatter

    The mud on the jersey and helmet signifies the reality of what tanks and armored vehicles looked like during Operation Torch and the North Africa Campaign. The uniform highlights the harsh conditions that Iron Soldiers overcame while fighting against Axis forces.

  • Unit Patch

    The 1st Armored Division unit patch symbolizes the cohesive nature of the division by incorporating the tricolors of cavalry yellow, infantry blue, and field artillery red. The United States Army relies on every team member to accomplish difficult missions and assignments.

  • Cadet Company Mascots

    Each player’s jersey has his cadet regiment number and cadet company mascots on his right chest. Cadets take great pride in their regiment and company; the uniform connects the players on the field with their fellow West Point cadets.

  • 1st Armored Pants Insignia

    The 1st Armored Division insignia on the pants represent how vehicles are identified in the United States Army, in World War II and present day. The “bumper number” is a quick way to identify a specific organization, vehicle, or leader during training or combat operations.

  • Number & Font Inspiration

    The font is inspired by the typography seen across the iconic M3 tanks used by the 1st Armored Division during World War II.

  • Shoulder Design

    The World War II era M3 tank, which was used by the 1st Armored Division, is the inspiration for the uniform. Army takes on the color scheme of the M3 tank, which was iconic to the 1st Armored Division and operations in North Africa during World War II.

The Corps of Cadets

This year’s uniform not only highlights the legacy of the 1st Armored Division during Operation Torch and the North Africa Campaign but connects the rest of the Corps of Cadets with the players on the field. On the field of friendly strife, the Army players carry with them their cadet regiment and company names, bringing the spirit of the Corps on the field with them.

THE DIVISION ORIGINS

On July 15, 1940, the 1st Armored Division was formed from a collection of cavalry and reconnaissance units at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Organized with an emphasis on combined arms, the 1st Armored Division integrated armor, infantry, and field artillery into a cohesive unit, ready to succeed on the battlefields of World War II. The unit patch symbolizes this cohesion by incorporating tricolors of cavalry yellow, infantry blue, and red field artillery.

America’s Tank Division

The 1st Armored Division trained in Louisiana and in the Carolinas in 1941 prior to deploying to Northern Ireland in May 1942. There the division prepared for Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa on November 8, 1942. After participating in the advance across North Africa and seizure of Tunisia, Iron Soldiers fought in mainland Italy before participating in the occupation of Germany after World War II.

In the years following World War II, the 1st Armored Division played a vital role in the Cold War. The division participated in large-scale joint exercises in the 1950s, supported American interests during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, and served as a defender of freedom while positioned in West Germany in the 1970s and 1980s.    

Iron Soldiers served with distinction during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, tackling the most elite divisions of Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard. Iron Soldiers deployed in support of operations in the Balkans between 1995 and 1999 to help keep the peace in a volatile region of Europe.

During the Global War on Terror, 1st Armored Division soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of multiple operations of national interest. In 2011, the 1st Armored Division uncased their colors, signifying its official move from Germany to Fort Bliss, Texas, where the division continues to serve today.

Select Notable Units of the 1st Armored Division

  • 1st Armored Regiment (Light), aka the 1st Cavalry Regiment (Blackhawks)

    Founded in 1833, the Blackhawks are the oldest cavalry regiment in the United States Army, with several squadrons still actively serving today across the United States Army. In 1932, they were the first of the old “horse cavalry” regiments to turn in their horses, transition to armored vehicles, and begin training for mechanized warfare. By 1942, they had reflagged as the 1st Armored Regiment (Light), while still proudly bearing the Blackhawk crest on their M3 light and medium tanks. In this capacity, they fought in North Africa as part of the 1st Armored Division in Operation Torch. “Animo et Fide!”

  • 13th Armored Regiment (Light), aka 13th Cavalry Regiment (13th Horse)

    Founded in 1901, the 13th Cavalry first saw action during the Philippine Insurrection where it served two tours of duty. The troopers of the “13th Horse” turned in their horses in 1936 and were reflagged in 1940 as the 13th Armored Regiment (Light). Throughout Operation Torch and the Tunisian Campaign, they fought as part of the 1st Armored Division. To this very day the 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry directly carries on this proud legacy of WWII, as it still serve actively within the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss Texas. “It Shall be Done!”

  • 6th Armored Infantry Regiment

    The history of the 6th Infantry Regiment and its motto, "Regulars, By God!" dates to the War of 1812. The regiment spearheaded the amphibious seizure of the port of Oran and the adjacent airfield in the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign, earning a Presidential Unit Citation. As the Tunisia Campaign began, 6th Infantry joined the attack and helped to break Axis resistance, with one of its soldiers awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

  • 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion

    The 27th Field Artillery Battalion originally activated in 1918 and saw its first action in World War I. As part of 1st Armored Division, the unit participated in the Algeria-French Morocco and Tunisia campaigns, where its batteries provided not only indirect fire support but also employed direct, close-range fire against Axis armored elements. For their valor in the Tunisia Campaign, the soldiers of the 27th earned a Presidential Unit Citation.

  • 16th Armored Engineer Battalion

    The 16th Engineer Battalion was first constituted in 1935 and saw its first action during Operation Torch. The battalion participated in both the Algeria-French Morocco and Tunisia Campaigns, providing mobility and counter-mobility for 1st Armored Division. Its use of mines thwarted numerous Axis armored thrusts and work on airfield construction and road repair enabled close air support and logistical support for the armor and infantry regiments in close combat.

Notable Biographies

  • BG Edwin Lloyd “Spec” Powell, Jr.

    Edwin Powell commissioned into the Army in 1941 from West Point. He deployed with 16th Armored Engineer Battalion as part of 1st Armored Division as part of Operation Torch, where he participated in the Tunisian Campaign. February 17, 1943, then a company commander, Powell was essential in the defense of and orderly withdrawal from Thelepte Airfield, which the Army Air Forces used for close air support of 1st Armored Division during German General Rommel’s counterattack towards the Kasserine Pass. In recognition of his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star. BG Powell is buried in USMA cemetery.

  • PVT Nicholas Minue (CMH)

    A first-generation Ukrainian immigrant, Minue requested a voluntary reduction from sergeant to private to deploy with Company A of the 6th Armored Infantry Regiment as part of Operation Torch. After fighting across North Africa, Company A received orders to seize the town of Medjez el Bab to prevent retreating German forces from controlling an essential rail line and a river valley. As Company A advanced, machine guns in a flanking position opened fire on the company. Minue acted immediately, charging the enemy position with his rifle and bayonet to save his company. He killed ten machine gunners and riflemen, eliminating the threat to his company, but was fatally wounded and died April 28, 1943. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 1, 1944.

  • Major General Orlando Ward

    MG Orlando Ward was born in Macon, Missouri in 1891 and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point at the age of 18. Ward commissioned into the Cavalry Branch in 1914 and his first assignment was leading Black cavalry troops of the 9th Cavalry Regiment along the border of Mexico. Soon after, Ward transferred into the Field Artillery Branch and served with the 3rd Infantry Division during the Second Battle of the Marne, receiving a Silver Star for his heroic actions. Ward took command of the 1st Armored Division in March 1942 and led it during Operation Torch in November 1942 and across North Africa until April 1943. Ward later served as the Commandant of the U.S. Field Artillery School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma before commanding the 20th Armored Division during the invasion of Germany in early 1945. For his World War II service, Ward was awarded the Legion of Merit (twice), the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart.

  • Major General Ernest Harmon

    MG Ernest Harmon was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1894 and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1913. While at West Point, Harmon rode horses, played football and hockey, and was a member of the boxing team. Harmon commissioned into the Cavalry Branch just two weeks after the United States entry into World War I. Harmon served with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which would be the last horse mounted U.S. Cavalry unit to engage the enemy in combat, during the St. Mihiel Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive among other battles. After World War I, Harmon coached the backfield for the Army football team and coached West Point’s first lacrosse team. Harmon himself also represented the United States in the 1924 summer Olympic Games in the modern pentathlon. During the North African Campaign, Harmon assumed command of the 1st Armored Division in April 1943. Harmon continued to lead the 1st Armored Division during the Italian Campaign until July 1944. Harmon retired from the Army in 1948 at the rank of Major General, serving for over three decades during two World Wars.

  • General Dwight D. Eisenhower

    President of the United States and General of the Army David “Dwight” Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas on October 14, 1890, but was raised in Abilene, Kansas. Eisenhower entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1911 and was commissioned into the Infantry in 1915. As a junior officer, Eisenhower served in a variety of Infantry and Tank Corps units. After graduating first in his class (out of 245) at the Command and General Staff College in 1926, he served in key staff positions in the inter-war period. Eisenhower was designated as the Commanding General, European Theater in June 1942 and named Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces in North Africa in November 1942. In December 1943, he was appointed as the Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Forces and promoted to General of the Army (5 stars) in December 1944. Eisenhower’s exceptional ability to foster a “team” mentality among partner nations was vital to the success of Allied coalition warfare. After retiring from active service on May 31, 1952, Eisenhower pursued a career in public service and was elected 34th President of the United States, serving two terms.

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