In 1960 US Army armored divisions were organized much as they had been in World War II, though they had grown in size. The division's four medium tank battalions and four armored infantry battalions could be allotted among the three combat commands as required to create flexible battle groups. Division artillery consisted of three self-propelled 105mm howitzer battalions and a composite battalion with two self-propelled 155mm howitzer batteries, one self-propelled 203mm howitzer battery and one atomic-capable Honest John rocket battery. The division also had an armored reconnaissance battalion, an armored combat engineer battalion, a signal battalion, an aviation company and a military police company. The division trains controlled an adjutant general (administration) company, a quartermaster (supply) battalion, an ordnance (maintenance) battalion and a medical battalion. This traditional configuration was maintained because it was thought that the Pentomic organization of infantry and airborne divisions would make the armored division too large.

The distinguishing flag for armored divisions was horizontally divided, scarlet over yellow, with the division's shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) in proper colors centered. For combat commands and the division trains the flag was yellow with the division's number horizontally centered over the unit monogram, both green. The flag for the division artillery headquarters was scarlet with a wide central horizontal yellow stripe and the division's number in scarlet centered on the yellow stripe.

Distinguishing flags for armored divisions  and their major subordinate units were made of silk or a silk-like material; dimensions were 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch yellow fringe. Campaign and unit decoration streamers were always displayed with these flags. Distinguishing flags were always carried or displayed with a National Color of the same material and dimensions.

Guidons for headquarters elements of armored divisions were of the same design as the corresponding distinguishing flags. Company, battery and troop guidons were much the same as those in use nowadays, though at the time cavalry units were part of the Armor branch and carried the yellow/green Armor guidon. Guidons were made of cotton or wool bunting; dimensions were 20 inches at the hoist by 27 inches on the fly with a 10-inch fork.

Note: Active links in descriptions point to pages depicting the guidons of subordinate units.

NATIONAL COLOR & DISTINGUISHING FLAGS

COMBAT COMMAND A