U.S. I Armored Corps
Encyclopedia
__FORCETOC__
I Armored Corps was a World War II
corps of the United States Army
. The army made its debut in Operation Torch
in November 1942 under the command of Major-General George S. Patton
. In July 1943 it was redesignated as the U.S. Seventh Army.
I Armored Corps was a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
corps of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The army made its debut in Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
in November 1942 under the command of Major-General George S. Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
. In July 1943 it was redesignated as the U.S. Seventh Army.
History
- Established – 15 July 1940 – at Fort KnoxFort KnoxFort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
under the command of Major-General Adna R. Chaffee, Jr.Adna R. Chaffee, Jr.Adna Romanza Chaffee, Jr. was a major general in the United States Army, called the "Father of the Armored Force" for his role in developing the U.S. Army's tank forces.-Early years:...
. - Change of command – November 1940 – Major-General Charles L. Scott assumes command
- Change of command – 15 January 1942 – Major-General George S. PattonGeorge S. PattonGeorge Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
assumes command - Transfer of Headquarters – January 1942 – to Fort BenningFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788... - Training – 26 March 1942 – Patton designated to setup Desert Training Center
- Training – 10 April 1942 to 30 July 1942 – at Desert Training Center, California-Arizona Maneuver Area (DTC-CAMA)General George S. Patton Memorial MuseumThe General George S. Patton Memorial Museum, in Chiriaco Summit, California, is a museum erected in tribute to General George S. Patton on the site of the entrance of Camp Young, part of the Desert Training Center of World War II....
- Planning – 30 July 1942 – 5 August 1942 – Patton and staff does initial planning for Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
in Washington, DC - Planning – 5 August 1942 – 21 August 1942 – Patton and staff does higher level planning for Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
in London, England - Tactical Deception – 11 September 1942 – I Armored Corps redesignated as Western Task Force to carry out Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
. - Combat Mission – Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
– 8 November 1942 – landed near CasablancaCasablancaCasablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture... - Cessation of Tactical Deception – 9 January 1943 – Western Task Force redesignated as I Armored Corps
- Change of command – 4 March 1943 – Patton reassigned to command II CorpsU.S. II CorpsThe II Corps was a corps of the United States Army and the first US formation of any size to see combat in Europe or Africa during World War II.-World War I:...
after MG Lloyd FredendallLloyd FredendallLloyd Fredendall was an American General during World War II. Major General Fredendall is best known for his command of the Central Task Force landings during Operation Torch, and his command of the US II Corps during the early stages of the Tunisia Campaign...
is relieved following the loss at the Battle of Kasserine Pass - Change of command – 15 April 1943 – Lieutenant-General Patton resumes command
- Redesignated – 10 July 1943 – I Armored Corps becomes U.S. Seventh Army
Subordinate units
- 3rd Infantry Division – 1 February 1943 – 15 July 1943
- 9th Infantry DivisionU.S. 9th Infantry DivisionThe 9th Infantry Division was created as the 9th Division during World War I, but never deployed overseas. Later, the division was an important unit of the United States Army in World War II and the Vietnam War...
– May 1943 - 2nd Armored DivisionU.S. 2nd Armored DivisionThe 2nd Armored Division was an armored division of the United States Army. The division played an important role during World War II in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily and the liberation of France, Belgium, and Holland and the invasion of Germany...
Shoulder Sleeve Insignis
- Description: On an equilateral triangle with a green border, one point up, divided into three sections, the upper section yellow, the dexter section blue, and the sinister section red, a gun bendwise in front of a tank track and wheels all black and overall a red lightning flash bend sinisterwise. In the apex the Roman numeral "I" in black.
- Symbolism:
- Yellow, blue, and red are the colors of the branches from which armored units were formed.
- The tank tread, gun, and lightning flash are symbolic of mobility, power, and speed.
- The corps designation is in Roman numerals.