Rolling Along: The U.S. Army at 250
June 14, 2025 marks 250 years of the U.S. Army, the nation’s oldest military branch. From the frozen encampments of Valley Forge to the beaches of Normandy, the Army has left its mark on American history. To honor this milestone, we’re highlighting key moments from the Army’s past through records held at the National Archives. With thousands of digitized military records categorized by branch and conflict, the Archives offers a powerful entry point into understanding the Army’s legacy.
You can explore more for yourself here.
America’s first national institution, the U.S. Army was formed nearly a year before independence was declared. The Continental Army was led by General George Washington and became best known for defeating the British during the Revolutionary War. However, one moment persists as a symbol of the Army’s perseverance— the encampment at Valley Forge during the grueling winter of 1777-1778. At Valley Forge, Washington signed his oath of allegiance to the United States, which is presently on display at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C.
After the Revolution, the U.S. Army was disbanded, but it was re-established in 1798 during the Quasi-War with France. The Army grew in importance as the country expanded westward.
The next major inflection point was the Civil War, one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history. The Union Army, under generals like Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, faced off against the Confederacy, commanded by Robert E. Lee. The Union’s victory preserved the nation and ended slavery, with Grant emerging as a national hero and later becoming President.
The Army’s role evolved further during the Spanish-American War, during which individuals like Theodore Roosevelt—who led the Rough Riders—garnered acclaim. In particular, San Juan Hill was a turning point in the Army’s campaign in Cuba. It was a victory that helped secure control of Santiago de Cuba and ultimately led to the downfall of Spanish colonial power. The battle solidified Roosevelt's image as a war hero.
World War I saw the modernization of the Army with new technologies like tanks and airplanes. Generals like John J. Pershing commanded American forces in Europe, contributing to the Allied victory. While the U.S. involvement was relatively limited, it proved crucial in affecting the outcome of the war.
World War II solidified the U.S. Army as a dominant global force. Generals like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and George S. Patton became household names due to their leadership in key battles across Europe and the Pacific. The victory over the Axis powers is still one of the most significant political and military actions that solidified the Army’s status as a critical component of global security.
Following that momentous victory, the Army sought an official anthem and ultimately chose a tune that had already garnered a following within the ranks.
First written in 1908 by Lieutenant Edmund L. Gruber and popularized during World War I after John Philip Sousa adapted it, the song began as “The Caisson Song.” It was embraced by troops and played at major wartime events, including a 1943 performance for Winston Churchill when he visited the White House. Officially adopted in 1952 with one key revision, which altered “the caissons go rolling along” to “the Army goes rolling along,” the song captures the branch’s enduring spirit through lyrics that echo its storied history.
Program from the 1921 Battery D Reunion Banquet, featuring a performance of “The Caisson Song”
The Cold War era saw the Army shift its focus to containment of the Soviet Union. Conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War, tested the Army’s strategies and tactics. The Army also played a major role in the Gulf War, leading a successful campaign to liberate Kuwait.
As the Army continues to evolve in the face of modern threats, its 250-year legacy is preserved through the records and stories held at the National Archives. From enlistment papers to battlefield maps, and from iconic images to personal letters, these materials document the full scope of the Army’s service across generations. Many of these records are digitized and accessible to the public, offering researchers, veterans, their families, and history buffs a chance to explore this essential history for themselves.
