The 49th Armored Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, is identical in design to those of other Armored Divisions save for its numerical designation in Arabic numbers in the top portion of the insignia and the “Lone Star” inscription on the yellow tab at the bottom. The red, yellow, and blue areas of the insignia represent the three branches of the Army that were drawn upon to create the first Armored units, viz., Artillery, Cavalry, and Infantry. The tank tread represents mobility, the lightning flash speed of movement, and the cannon firepower.
Formed in Texas in 1947, the 49th Armored Division was one of the first two Armored Divisions in the National Guard (its lone counterpart at the time was the 50th Armored Division in New Jersey). Though comprised of many World War II veterans, the Division was never deployed to a combat zone and was called into Federal service just once.
On 15 October 1961, it fell under Federal control and was ordered to report to Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), from where it subsequently was posted to Fort Polk (Fort Johnson after 13 June 2023) in Louisiana. During its time in Louisiana, the Division took part in Iron Dragon, one of the largest Texas National Guard exercises ever conducted, and also became the first Army National Guard unit to actually fire the Honest John, an unguided ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead (with a warhead capable of delivering the destructive force of 20 kilotons of TNT ) or conventional explosives (1,500 lbs.).
At the time it was reflagged as the 36th Infantry Division in 2004, the 49th Armored Division was the sole remaining Armored Division in the National Guard.
Related Items
49th Armored Division Unit Crest (DUI)
49th Armored Division Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)