FORT RILEY, Kan. (AP) Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division, better known as the “Big Red One” for its distinctive patch, is about to turn 95.
The division was formed in 1917 during World War I when it arrived in Europe with Gen. John Pershing and was known as the First American Expeditionary Force. The soldiers began wearing the red patch on their left shoulders to identify them on the battlefield.
Based now at Fort Riley, the division will celebrate its history with a series of events beginning Thursday with a carnival beginning Thursday. The division will participate in a “Victory Run” that starts a week of competitions and ceremonies on the northeast Kansas post.
The division’s headquarters is currently deployed to Afghanistan.
