About this Unit
The 49th Armored was a Texas-based unit of the United States Army National Guard, originally constituted as the 49th Armored Division in 1946. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the division was part of the post-World War II expansion of the National Guard and was primarily responsible for regional defense and support missions during the Cold War. Though it never saw combat as a division, its elements participated in numerous training exercises and provided disaster relief within Texas. The 49th Armored Division was inactivated in 1968, but its lineage continued through the 49th Armored Brigade and later the 49th Armored Division (Separate), before eventually reorganizing as the 36th Infantry Division in 2004.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 49th Armored Division was originally formed as part of the Texas Army National Guard in 1947, inheriting the lineage of the historic 49th Infantry Division.
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Nickname: The unit was often nicknamed the "Lone Star Division," reflecting its Texas roots.
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Cold War Role: Throughout the Cold War, the 49th Armored Division served as a key reserve force, prepared to reinforce NATO forces in Europe if needed.
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Domestic Deployments: Members of the division were mobilized to help maintain order during civil disturbances, such as during the 1957 integration crisis at Little Rock and natural disasters in Texas.
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Modernization: In the 1960s and 1970s, the division was among the first National Guard units to receive the M60 Patton main battle tank, enhancing its combat capabilities.
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Training Exercises: The 49th Armored Division regularly participated in large-scale training exercises, such as REFORGER in Germany, to maintain readiness alongside active-duty forces.
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Commanders: Notable commanders included Major General Ross Ayers, who led modernization efforts and improved the division’s training standards in the 1970s.
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Reorganization: In 1992, the 49th Armored Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 49th Armored Brigade, reflecting broader changes in the post-Cold War Army structure.
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Balkans Deployment: In 2000, the headquarters of the 49th Armored Division was activated for a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, marking one of the first times a National Guard division headquarters commanded active-duty forces overseas.
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Legacy: Elements of the 49th Armored’s lineage continue today in the Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division, preserving the traditions and honors of the unit.
