History
The 1st Infantry Division was formed in 1917 shortly after the United States joined the Great War. It was the first American division to arrive in France. Because they were the first, they had to learn how to fight in the trenches very quickly. The soldiers were trained by French and British experts before going to the front lines. They spent many months living in mud and harsh conditions. The division earned the nickname 'The Big Red One' because of the patch they wore on their shoulders. They fought in several big battles to push back the enemy. Their success gave other American soldiers confidence that they could win the war. After the fighting stopped in 1918, the division helped protect the peace. They became a symbol of American strength on the world stage. Today, they remain a very active and important part of the United States Army.
