98th Training Division Iroquois US Army Patch

98th Training Division (Iroquois) U.S. Army Patch 2.25" x 3.0" 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 98th Training Division, known as the "Iroquois Division," was first constituted in the Organized Reserve on June 24, 1921, and officially activated in 1942 during the height of World War II. It drew its nickname and symbolism from the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, whose ancestral lands spanned the area around upstate New York—where the division was first headquartered.

The division’s shoulder sleeve insignia prominently features the red Iroquois head on a blue background, a proud nod to its geographical roots and symbolic of warrior spirit, readiness, and cultural respect.

Originally a combat infantry division, the 98th would evolve into a premier training force in the U.S. Army Reserve, reshaping itself to meet the Army’s need for skilled, disciplined soldiers.

Notable Commanders
While not as publicly recognized as combat divisions, the 98th has been led by a series of respected U.S. Army generals and Reserve leaders who shaped thousands of careers. Among its more notable commanders was Brigadier General John A. Franchi, who helped expand the division’s mission in the post-9/11 era as the Army leaned heavily on Reserve components to support training and mobilization.

The division's success is often credited to its senior noncommissioned officers and cadre of experienced drill sergeants, many of whom are combat veterans turned instructors.

Major Campaigns/Operations
During World War II, the 98th Infantry Division was deployed to Hawaii in April 1944 to defend against potential Japanese invasion. Though it never saw combat in WWII, the division was training intensively for Operation Olympic—the planned invasion of Japan—before the war ended with the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In the modern era, the 98th has played a vital support role during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom by providing drill sergeants and instructors to Basic Combat Training (BCT) centers and to partner nation training missions in the Middle East.

In 2004, elements of the 98th were deployed to Iraq on a unique mission—to train and advise the newly forming Iraqi Army. These soldiers didn’t serve behind desks; they patrolled with their trainees, led by example, and built an Army from scratch amidst insurgent warfare.

Specialized Role/Equipment
As part of the U.S. Army Reserve's 108th Training Command, the 98th specializes in Initial Entry Training and Leader Development. Its personnel includes certified drill sergeants, instructors, and leadership trainers who operate at active-duty posts like Fort Jackson, Fort Moore, and Fort Sill.

The division’s soldiers are equipped with standard Army gear but often operate within a training environment—rifles loaded with blanks, rubber bayonets, and combatives mats instead of grenades and mortars. Still, their mission is no less vital: to instill discipline, physical fitness, tactical proficiency, and warrior ethos in every recruit who enters the Army.

Acts of Heroism
While the 98th may not have a storied combat legacy like airborne or infantry divisions, its members have served with valor in every major conflict since WWII—whether deployed individually or as part of training support teams.

During the Iraq mission in 2004, 98th soldiers faced ambushes and IED threats while escorting and advising Iraqi trainees. One team leader, a Reserve sergeant first class, was credited with shielding his interpreter during a mortar attack and returning fire during a base breach. The incident earned him the Bronze Star with Valor and highlighted the often-unseen risks of training missions in combat zones.

The heroism of 98th soldiers lies in the foundation they build—not just in defending life, but in forging future warfighters.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The 98th Training Division carries a legacy of discipline, transformation, and dedication to excellence. Its mission may be to train, but its impact is enduring—visible in every soldier who graduates from basic training, every officer who learns to lead, and every foreign ally prepared for self-defense.

The division has helped redefine the role of the Army Reserve in the 21st century—not as a backup force, but as an integral part of America’s total military readiness.

To wear the 98th patch—the bold red Iroquois head—is to join a legacy of warrior scholars and battlefield educators. It’s not about medals or headlines. It’s about service through strength, and the quiet pride of shaping the Army from the ground up.