BRO History

Question 1

When did the Division’s history began?

Answer 1

1917, when General John “Blackjack” Pershing arrived in France with the First American Expeditionary Force.

Question 2

How did the 1st Infantry Division influenced during WW2?

Answer 2

• First to reach England.
• First to fight the enemy in North Africa and Sicily.
• First on the beaches in Normandy on D-Day.
• First to capture a major German city - Aachen

Question 3

When was the BRO called to go fight in Vietnam?

Answer 3

In the summer of 1965

Question 4

When was the BRO alerted to deploy to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm?

Answer 4

November 8 1990

Question 5

When did the BRO primed itself for Operation Iraqi Freedom?

Answer 5

January 2003

Question 6

When did the Army identify the 1st infantry division as the first division to deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve?

Answer 6

September 2014

Question 7

What is the origin of the Big Red One patch?

Answer 7

A General Officer decided that the Division needed a suitable shoulder sleeve insignia. He cuts a crude numerical “1” from his flannel underwear. A young lieutenant mades fun of the General’s underwear showing, the General then told him “come with something better then” The young lieutenant take a piece of cloth probably grey from the uniform of a capture soldier and then puts the Big Red One on top of the cloth.

Question 8

What is the Division’s distinctive insignia?

Answer 8

Lady Victory