From the Philippines to Pyongyang

The history of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division dates back to September 1921, when the unit was established to patrol the border with Mexico.

The history of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division dates back to September 1921, when the unit was established to patrol the border with Mexico.

The unit has spearheaded many military advances in its long and distinguished history. For instance, in January 1945 it was the first unit to enter Manila.

After the capitulation of Japan, the unit acted as bodyguards to Gen. Douglas MacArthur and was the first to enter Tokyo.

At the outbreak of the Korean War, however, the unit struggled after its long idle period in Japan.

In the push northward during the Korean War it failed to enter Pyongyang as the first unit, that honor falling instead to the ROK 1st Division.

Currently, the division consists of four combat brigades with some 17,000 soldiers.