The Army organized its first armored division in 1942 prior to the invasion of North Africa. A total of 16 armored divisions served during World War II, mostly in the European Theater. Some of these divisions, the 2d for example, are closely associated with pioneers in armored warfare such as General George S. Patton, Jr. Many spearheaded famous actions, among them the 4th, which broke through the Bulge to relieve the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, and the 9th, first across the Rhine at Remagen. For most of the Cold War, the Regular Army had three or four armored divisions. Today, the Regular Army and National Guard each have one armored division.
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