In September, 1961, an executive order alerted the 49th Armored Division for mobilization due to the Berlin Crisis. On October 15, 1961, the division entered federal service at armories throughout the state and subsequently deployed to Fort Polk, Louisiana.
During their ten month stay at Fort Polk, the 49th made National Guard history. In May, 1962, the Texas division staged a massive maneuver that was code-named IRON DRAGOON. This is still remembered as a classic National Guard armor exercise. It was also during this period that the 49th was the first Guard unit to fire the Honest John ballistic missile. ( read more )
