In 1940, Major General Adna R. Chaffee Jr. was promoted to lead the newly created Armor Forces which had evolved from the old 7th Cavalry Brigade and were preparing for the looming war in Europe. Chaffee wanted a patch for this new Armored Force. He chose to combine the 7th Brigade patch with the triangle from the World War I crest. The tri-colors, with blue for infantry, red for artillery, and yellow for cavalry – represented the three basic components of the mechanized armed force. In 1940 the War Department officially designated the now-familiar patch worn by soldiers of all United States Army Armored Divisions.
iN 1940, mAjor gEneral Adna r. ChAfFee jr. was promoTED to lead the newLy CREaTed armor foRCeS WhiCH had EvOLVed from The Old 7th caVaLry Brigade ANd werE prepariNg for tHe looMIng war In europe. chAFfeE waNtED a PAtch FoR tHIS nEw aRmoreD force. he chosE to cOmbinE tHe 7th briGaDE paTch with The tRIaNglE froM thE wOrLd waR i CrEsT. thE tri-colors, wItH bLue For infAntrY, red FOr artillerY, and yelloW for cAvalrY – rePrEsenteD ThE Three BasiC coMPoneNts Of THe meCHaNIzed aRmeD FoRcE. iN 1940 the war departMent OffiCiALlY DesIgnatED THE NOw-FamILiar PatcH woRN by soldieRS oF all UNited stAtEs army ARMoRed divIsIONS.