In February, 1955 a reorganization of the Army National Guard included reorganizing the 27th Infantry Division as the 27th Armored Division.[1] This included exchanging the black and red "NYD" (New York Division) shoulder patch for the triangle-shaped patch of the Army's armor divisions. The 27th Armored Division was called the "Empire Division," after New York's nickname, the Empire State.[2]
The division headquarters was originally in Buffalo, and was later moved to Syracuse.[3][4]
In 1955, the composition of the 27th Armored Division was:
Ronald C. Brock, first commander of the 27th Armored Division.
Three individuals served as commander of the 27th Armored Division:
Major General Ronald C. Brock (1955–1957).[6] Brock had been commander of the 27th Infantry Division.[7] He subsequently served as commander of the New York National Guard.[8]
MG Collin P. Williams (1959–1968)[11] Williams had served as commander of Combat Command B, 27th Armored Division and the division's Assistant Division Commander.[12] He retired in 1968.[13]
The 27th Armored Division was inactivated in February, 1968 during another reorganization of the Army National Guard.[14] During its existence the 27th Armored Division was not activated for federal service and saw no combat.[15] It was activated for state service, including the response to the 1964 Rochester riot.[16]
27th Infantry Division SSI.
The division was reorganized in 1968 as the 27th Armored Brigade, a unit of the 50th Armored Division.[17]
The 27th Armored Brigade was reorganized as an Infantry brigade in 1975 and aligned with the 42nd Infantry Division.[18]
The 27th Brigade was later reorganized as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and reestablished use of the 27th Infantry Division's NYD shoulder sleeve insignia.[20] The 27th Infantry Brigade carries on the lineage and history of the 27th Infantry Division.
U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Hearing Record, Military Cold War Education and Speech Review Policies, Biographical sketch, Collin P. Williams, 1962, page 2662
United States
United States Army
