1st Army Corps Distinctive Unit Patch - B Version

1st Army Corps Distinctive Unit Patch - B Version (U.S. Army) 3.5" x 3.25" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality. 

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
The 1st United States Army was officially formed on August 10, 1918, during the closing months of World War I. This wasn’t a ceremonial creation or a peacetime formality—it was born out of necessity on the battlefields of Europe, where the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing were growing in size and needed a dedicated, American-led field army to conduct independent operations. Prior to this, American troops had often been scattered under Allied command structures, but with the formation of the First Army, the United States was finally asserting its ability to conduct large-scale modern warfare on its own terms. It was headquartered initially at Ligny-en-Barrois, France, and immediately prepared for the first full-scale offensive led by American troops in Europe. The First Army represented a coming of age for the U.S. military on the world stage. It was no longer just an auxiliary force—it was a strategic spearhead.

Notable Commanders
Several towering figures of American military history took the reins of the First Army. John J. Pershing initially oversaw its creation and commanded it through the St. Mihiel offensive before stepping up to lead the broader American Expeditionary Forces. He handed command to General Hunter Liggett, a steady and competent leader who directed the army through the brutal Meuse-Argonne Offensive. In World War II, the First Army was led into France by General Omar N. Bradley, a West Point man known for his calm demeanor and meticulous planning. Bradley’s leadership during the Normandy invasion was instrumental in its success. Later, command passed to Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges, a soft-spoken, former enlisted man who had risen through the ranks. Hodges would lead the army from the beaches of Normandy to the heart of Germany, demonstrating quiet determination and resilience in the face of fierce opposition.

Major Campaigns/Operations
The First Army made its combat debut in World War I with the St. Mihiel Offensive in September 1918, a major operation that saw American forces reduce a long-held German salient in northeastern France. It followed this with the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest and bloodiest operation in U.S. military history up to that point. Over a million American troops took part, with First Army coordinating the assault through dense forest, rugged terrain, and well-fortified German positions.
In World War II, First Army was the spearhead of Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings in Normandy. On June 6, 1944, it led the assaults on Omaha and Utah beaches. The carnage at Omaha was nearly a disaster, with troops pinned down under withering machine gun and artillery fire, but through grit and valor, they broke through. First Army then pushed inland through the hedgerows of Normandy, led Operation Cobra to break out of the bocage country, and liberated Paris alongside French forces.
As the Allies advanced, First Army fought in the Hürtgen Forest, then braced itself during the Battle of the Bulge when Hitler launched his final counteroffensive in the Ardennes. Holding the northern shoulder of the German advance, First Army absorbed the brunt of the initial assault and played a pivotal role in sealing the German defeat. In 1945, First Army crossed the Rhine River and advanced into Germany, capturing key cities and liberating concentration camps along the way.

Specialized Role/Equipment
First Army was never about flashy equipment or niche specialization. It was the quintessential field army—designed to command and coordinate large formations, sometimes hundreds of thousands of troops, across vast operational fronts. Its strength lay in command and control, integrating corps and divisions from multiple Allied nations and ensuring cohesion on the battlefield. In modern times, its mission evolved. After World War II, First Army transitioned from combat to readiness and training. Today, headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, it prepares and mobilizes Army Reserve and National Guard units, ensuring they’re combat-ready before deployment. It plays a vital role in homeland defense, disaster response coordination, and reserve component integration. While its tools have changed, its mission—preparing soldiers for battle—has never wavered.

Acts of Heroism
Stories of valor are woven into the very fabric of the First Army. In the Meuse-Argonne, one Tennessee marksman became a legend. Sergeant Alvin C. York of the 82nd Division, under First Army command, single-handedly charged a German machine gun nest, killing over 20 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 more. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, and his story became a symbol of American bravery.
On D-Day, the men of the 29th and 1st Infantry Divisions—both under First Army—stormed Omaha Beach under withering fire. Companies like A Company, 116th Infantry Regiment, suffered staggering casualties in the opening minutes. Yet they fought through the chaos, scaled the bluffs, and secured the beachhead.
During the Battle of the Bulge, the men of the 99th and 2nd Infantry Divisions held the northern flank of the German assault at Elsenborn Ridge. Severely outnumbered, short on supplies, and facing some of Hitler’s most elite armored divisions, they held their ground and inflicted punishing losses on the enemy. Their stand helped contain the German advance and ultimately contributed to the collapse of the offensive.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The First United States Army occupies a storied place in American military history. It was the first American field army ever deployed, the hammer of U.S. might in two world wars. Its troops were the first ashore on D-Day, the first across the Rhine, and among the first to enter Germany. Over the decades, it has prepared countless soldiers for combat, guided National Guard units through readiness evaluations, and supported national defense objectives from behind the scenes.

Whether standing against the Kaiser's armies, Hitler's war machine, or preparing troops for battle in the modern era, the First Army has remained constant in its purpose. First to fight. First to lead. First in service.