1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum

10/31/2022

The First Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum is ready for TORCH WEEK.

After 3 years of cancelations due to COVID-19, we are happy to announce that this year's TORCH WEEK is a GO...

Museum staff have been busy preparing for the past several months for the TORCH WEEK events that will be held at Fort Bliss, Texas from 1-4 November 2022. The museum has set up several tables with artifacts, uniforms, and equipment ranging from pre-World War Two when the Division was activated through present-day operations. We encourage everyone to stop by the museum and see some of the artifacts as well as many other armored vehicles and equipment used by the 1st Armored Division during Operation Torch in WW2 as well as other eras throughout history.

On October 31, 2022, the 377th Transportation Company once again showed outstanding professionalism and support as they relocated the WW2 era M3 Stuart Tank that was at the corner of Buffalo Soldier and Bradley Roads to the Division Headquarters and Parade Field where many of the TORCH events will occur. This artifact will be on display for photo opportunities. Upon completion of the TORCH WEEK events the M3 Stuart will be returned to the pad at the intersection of Buffalo Soldier and Bradley Roads.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the 1AD Division HQs Parade Field and the 1AD/FT BLISS/NCO Museum Complex.

10/04/2022

10/04/2022

09/09/2022

Sergeant’s Time Training at its Finest

On September 8, 2022 Soldiers from Bravo Company 1-77 Armor partnered with Soldiers of the 377th Transportation Company and the staff of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss museum to move a WW2 era German Flak 88 Anti-Aircraft gun from storage to the LRC paint shop for restoration and conservation. The group met the day prior and conducted a leader’s recon and site visit to evaluate the best course of action for lifting the gun for transport.

Early in the afternoon on September 8th, the M88 recovery vehicle arrived on a transport from the 377th Transportation Company (Heavy Truck). It was offloaded and immediately the Soldiers went to work moving the crane into place and preparing lift chains. The coordination between the NCOs of the two units was an impressive display of professionalism, skill and communication. The use of visual hand and arm signals and other communication skills was observed during this delicate operation and the Soldiers in both units worked cohesively together to complete the mission safely and efficiently. The German Flak gun was safely lifted and placed on the transport trailer and moved to the LRC paint shop. As the gun made its way to the paint shop the M88 was loaded onto a second hauler and the process was repeated once again at the paint shop to offload the German gun in order to start the conservation and preservation process. Once complete the gun will be picked up and transported to the 1AD museum where it will be placed on exhibit in-doors. As we continue to research this artifact we will update you.

The 1AD museum staff once again would like to thank the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of Bravo Company 1-77 Armor and the 377th Transportation Company for their continued support, professionalism and interest in preserving history for future generations. The 1AD museum looks forward to working with the Soldiers of America’s First and Finest Tank Division in future conservation/preservation projects.

09/05/2022

Happy ! Today we celebrate America's hardworking service members and civilians working together to grow our Nation. 🇺🇸


U.S. Army | LTG Maria Gervais

09/01/2022

If it ain’t rainin it ain’t trainin…

Officer’s, NCOs, and Soldiers of the 377th Transportation Company, 142nd DSSB, 1AD DSB assisted the staff of the 1AD museum in moving one its MACRO artifacts to the LRC paint shop for restoration and conservation for future exhibition in the museum. On a rainy August 31st afternoon, the men and women of the 377th loaded a WW2 era M2A1 Halftrack onto one of its haulers and moved the vehicle to the LRC paint shop. The professionalism and expertise of this unit and its Soldiers was once again outstanding.

The 377th and the 1AD museum have a history together as the unit helped move a WW2 M4 Sherman tank out of our museum last year for transport to Fort Hood, Texas. Tight spaces and obstacles were no match for the Soldiers who improvised, adapted, and overcame challenges to successfully and safely accomplish the mission of loading, securing and unloading the half-track at the paint shop. The 377th will be called upon a few more times as the museum prepares to restore and conserve other pieces of equipment to include a WW2 era German 88mm FLAK anti-aircraft gun, a T-34/85 Soviet Tank, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and some other historically important pieces of equipment. So stay tuned for updates on the movement and conservation/preservation of these artifacts.
The 1AD Museum staff wishes to thank the 377th Transportation Company for their continued support and interest in preserving military history.

HEAVY TRUCK!

09/01/2022

The Funky Rooster Coffee Shop and Café is now open in the 1AD Museum at 1735 Marshall Road.

The 1AD and Ft Bliss Museum is happy to announce the reopening of the Funky Rooster Coffee Shop and Café in the main lobby of the museum. The Fort Bliss MWR office has been hard at work prepping the kitchen area, restocking the shelves with coffee and assorted syrup flavors and we are happy to be partnering with the MWR staff in order to promote the museum as well as Fort Bliss and to provide a venue for unit events and functions.

Currently the Coffee shop can prepare hot and cold specialty coffees and drinks, and there are also bottled waters, energy drinks and other drinks for sale. There are some light snacks (chips, candy bars) for sale and after the Labor Day weekend the other food items listed on the menu will be become available as the MWR Staff receive them from their food distributors.

The Hours of Operation are the following:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 0900-1400 (2:00 P.M.)

Thursdays: 0830-1400 (2:00 P.M.)

The Museum and Rooster are still closed on weekends and federal holidays due to staffing shortages but we hope to reopen again on Saturday’s in the future. We will keep everyone posted on when this may happen.

The Museum Staff would like to kindly remind patrons that no food or drink will be allowed in the museum area in order to preserve the historical artifacts and vehicles on display. Patrons are welcome to utilize the tables and stools in the rooster or take their coffee and food to go.

We look forward to seeing you all so come on in an order a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

08/27/2022

A SALUTE TO WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY!

Today, we honor and remember all the women who have served in our Army past and present!

08/20/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

07/29/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

07/26/2022

Today marks the anniversary of Executive Order 9981, Desegregation of the Army. In 1950 the U.S. Army agreed to desegregate across the entire service, but it was not until 1954 that the last units were integrated.
Before this former 1AD Commander MG Bruce Clark integrated the division, without authorization from his superiors, before the rest of the Army began desegregating. For more information see the attached image of an article from Armor magazine.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/executive-order-9981.htm#:~:text=On%20July%2026%2C%201948%2C%20President,desegregation%20of%20the%20U.S.%20military

07/18/2022

The museum is open!
Whether you are new to the area or have been here awhile, the museum is a great place to learn about the 1AD and Fort Bliss history.
The museum preserves and exhibits artifacts pertaining to the 1st Armored Division's 76-year history through World War II, the Cold War, Vietnam, the Bosnia and Kosovo conflicts in the Balkan states, Operation Desert Storm, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The museum also presents the 167-year history of Fort Bliss, including its six locations in and around El Paso, the post's role in the exploration and mapping of the western states, the Civil War in the Southwest, the various American Indian conflicts, the Mexican Revolution and World Wars I and II, and the role of the post in Army air defense artillery during and after World War II.

Also, by visiting the museum you can avoid the triple digit heat!

For post access visit: https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/gate-information

07/16/2022

Happy birthday to the 1st Armored Division. Today marks the 82nd birthday of our division. We have been a lethal force since 1940 and will continue to impose our will onto our enemies to show our dominance. From Operation Torch in WWII through Vietnam and Iraq and Afghanistan the 1st Armored Division has proven its dominance over any enemy we have faced.

1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division 1st Armored Division Artillery 1st Armored Division, Division Sustainment Brigade Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss

07/04/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

06/19/2022

Photos from National Museum of the United States Army's post

06/14/2022

14 June 1775 marked the official beginning of the U.S. Army! 247 years later we continue to celebrate the Army and remember those who have and still serve.

Learn more about the Army's birthday here: https://history.army.mil/html/faq/birth.html?fbclid=IwAR1tCYjfKe0ifyFclIVb53cJeci9_sqbZZ2tZT0j8Zjp6Wva60S03sV6PEk

06/10/2022

Just a reminder, to celebrate the Army's upcoming birthday, WSMR week starts tomorrow!
WSMR is hosting multiple events over multiple days. So mark your calendar for all the fun!

06/10/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

06/06/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

05/30/2022

Taps at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Please take time today to honor America’s veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember their lives, courage, legacy and service.

05/29/2022

The Poppy Story

The Poppy Story

The history of how the Poppy came to be a symbol of peace and remembrance during WWI.

05/28/2022

Get ready to celebrate the U.S. Army’s birthday! June 14th!
To celebrate, WSMR is hosting multiple events over multiple days. So mark your calendars for all the fun happening during WSMR Week!

05/21/2022

Chin chin! In celebration of , here’s the tea on the world’s most consumed beverage 🐸☕:

During WWI, tea was rationed to soldiers in the British military. A hot cuppa was such a morale booster for British soldiers, it was known as “the cup that cheers our fighting men.” In his 1919 book, Experiences of the Great War: Artois, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, American soldier Ashby Williams writes:

“I must not fail to record also that it was at Calais that we first came in contact with the British custom of having ‘tea’ at four thirty in the afternoon. No matter what a British officer is doing he must have his ‘tea’ at half-past four. To most of the American officers it seemed an utter waste of time to have tea and toast in the middle of the afternoon, but the Britisher has his dinner late in the day, between seven and eight o'clock, and the tea was not an unpleasant way for him to bridge over the long afternoon. And then, too, the British officers have very efficient, highly trained domestic servants, and the tea was always very tempting and very delicious. While we were in Rome, therefore, we did as the Romans, and had our ‘tea’ at ‘harf-parst’ four in the afternoon.”

The United Kingdom continues to be among the world’s top consumers of tea, with a little over 4lbs drunk per person. The country with the highest consumption is Turkey, with an average of 7lbs drunk per person. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/01/map-the-countries-that-drink-the-most-tea/283231/

From the Collection: three German soldiers sit around a table, set with tea, in a trench.

05/18/2022

Winter Combat Jacket (Tanker’s Jacket) 1943

This isn’t just any combat jacket on display here at the museum, this jacket has a story.
This jacket was worn by Robert L. Wiley of B Battery, 27th Armored Field Artillery, 1st Armored Division during Operation Shingle. A hole can be seen toward the lower right portion on the back of the jacket. This hole is the result of a shrapnel piece from a German night bombing at Anzio, on February 6th 1944.

German bombing and shelling of the Anzio beachhead was constant, and due to the small size of the Allied controlled area, no area was safe; above ground at least. This prompted the Allies to move underground. Not only did soldiers live underground, they also built recreation and training facilities below ground. The 1st Armored Division built two underground theaters capable of holding about 200 men each.

05/17/2022

Featured in our WWII gallery, a Harley Davidson WLA. This type of motorcycle was known as “The Liberator” or “The motorcycle that won the war.”

Harley Davidson began producing a limited number of the WLA for the U.S. Army in 1940.
Learn more about this type of bike here: https://nationalmcmuseum.org/2016/11/11/1942-harley-davidson-wla-the-liberator/

05/08/2022

Happy Mother's Day!

Soldiers abroad sent these beautiful hand-embroidered silk postcards home from France and Belgium. This one came from Private Clark Amos Lowe, Company B, 304th Engineers, 79th Division, AEF. Happy Mother's Day!

05/06/2022

Military spouses, today is your day!
Thank you for supporting your soldiers and the U.S. Army.
We hope you have a wonderful day!

Image courtesy of Helping Heroes

04/25/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

04/23/2022

The first part of our WWII gallery!

04/21/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

04/19/2022

Looking for a fun family event? Check out what's going on this Saturday at the Centennial Museum at UTEP!

You can also visit the traveling Water/Ways Smithsonian exhibit at the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens!

UTEP Geological Sciences El Paso Master Gardeners Trans-Pecos Chapter Texas Master Naturalist

04/17/2022

HAPPY EASTER WITH

"Easter Services"

by Army Artist Dennis O. McGee, 1967

04/16/2022

Have a safe and happy Easter weekend!

If you are planning on joining us tomorrow for Easter-Avaganza here are some important reminders:
1. This event is FREE except for the food trucks, most accept card payments. Picnics are allowed but the following items are not allowed at Biggs Park at this event: glass, alcohol, grilling, or pets.
2. The first 200 families will receive a Easter Bunny photo ticket with a time slot. This is the most photos we can accommodate in the 4 hour time frame.
3. It’s supposed to be in the mid-80’s so don’t forget sunscreen!
4. There will be designated inflatables and a little kids area for our smallest guests.
5. There will be several surprises that are just too exciting to mention!!
6. This one we can’t emphasize enough: there is NO egg hunt at our event. The size and anticipated attendance makes it too hard and unsafe.
7. Be excited but understand that NO ONE is more excited than us. Fort Bliss MWR Special Events are back!! See you tomorrow!

04/12/2022

April is Month of the Military Child

Military children have been present at Fort Bliss since its early days. Pictured here is a regimental band playing on South El Paso Street in 1860. There are young boys nearby wearing uniforms, likely the children of officers standing close by.

04/10/2022

Photos from U.S. Army Center of Military History's post

04/08/2022

Today’s Furry Friend Friday post is a little tricky.

This picture shows a Magoffinsville scene of a gathering of men relaxing in the shade of a breezeway. This grouping of men has some in uniform, some in civilian clothing. This may have been before or after midday meal.

There is also a dog in the picture. Can you spot it?

04/07/2022

Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks! Today is opening day for Major League Baseball!⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️

Sports, including baseball, were popular among commanders and troops at Fort Bliss. There were major competitions between units, giving soldiers an extra curricular activity to look forward to.
Pictured here are the 22 members of the 8th Cavalry baseball championship team in 1930. The regimental commander and the troop commander pose with them. This picture was taken in front of their barracks, either Building 11 or 13.

04/01/2022

April is . To military kids everywhere -- thank you for serving and supporting our nation through your commitment, contributions, and sacrifices. We appreciate you so much!

03/29/2022

Recently pulled from storage, we have a layout of Fort Bliss Commanding Generals since 1854!