V CORPS HISTORY

It Will Be Done

V Corps, known as the “Victory Corps,” was first activated in France in 1918 and fought in major World War I offensives before being demobilized and later reactivated for World War II, where it led the assault on Omaha Beach, captured Cherbourg, and advanced into Germany. During the Cold War, it was headquartered in Frankfurt and served as a key NATO formation responsible for defending the Fulda Gap. After playing a major role in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans during the 1990s, V Corps commanded the main ground invasion during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and later managed stabilization efforts in Iraq. Inactivated in 2013 and reactivated in 2020 at Fort Knox with a forward command post in Poland, V Corps today oversees U.S. Army operations in Europe, leads multinational training and deterrence missions, and remains a central element of NATO’s readiness and forward presence.

Video by Sgt. Ronald Bell

Download

U.S. Army medics with the 1-8 CAV train with British soldiers

U.S. Army V Corps

June 16, 2026 | 1:05

U.S. Army Pfc. Royal Pierson, combat medic specialist, assigned to Medical Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (1-8 CAV), 1st Cavalry Division, discusses cross-training with British Army medical personnel assigned to Bravo Squadron of the Light Dragoons, Forward Land Forces Battle Group-Poland, during close-quarter battle drills at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, June 17, 2026. The medics from the 1-8 CAV trained with British Army medical personnel for two days in a simulation of a Role 1 aid station during operations in an urban environment. U.S. forces in Europe conduct routine training in Poland to enhance interoperability with NATO allies and maintain readiness along the alliance’s eastern flank. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Sgt. Ronald D. Bell) Music is used with permission and licensing rights from Envato Elements.