I Armored Corps (United States)

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 Seventh United States Army.

History

 * Established – 15 July 1940 – at Fort Knox, Kentucky under the command of Major-General Adna R. Chaffee, Jr..
 * Change of command – November 1940 – Major-General Charles L. Scott assumes command
 * Change of command – 15 January 1942 – Major-General George S. Patton assumes command
 * Transfer of Headquarters – January 1942 – to Fort Benning, Georgia
 * Training – 26 March 1942 – Patton designated to set up Desert Training Center
 * Training – 10 April 1942 to 30 July 1942 – at Desert Training Center, California-Arizona Maneuver Area (DTC-CAMA)
 * Planning – 30 July 1942 – 5 August 1942 – Patton and staff does initial planning for Operation Torch in Washington, DC
 * Planning – 5 August 1942 – 21 August 1942 – Patton and staff does higher level planning for Operation Torch in London, England
 * Tactical Deception – 11 September 1942 – I Armored Corps redesignated as Western Task Force to carry out Operation Torch.
 * Combat Mission – Operation Torch – 8 November 1942 – landed near Casablanca
 * 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 Corps after MG Lloyd Fredendall 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 Division – May 1943
 * 2nd Armored Division

Shoulder sleeve insignia

 * 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:
 * 1) Yellow, blue, and red are the colors of the branches from which armored units were formed.
 * 2) The tank tread, gun, and lightning flash are symbolic of mobility, power, and speed.
 * 3) The corps designation is in Roman numerals.

Distinctive unit insignia

 * None approved.