The first Armored Conference was held at Fort Knox in May 1946.
The 10-day conference, held at the Armored School, provided an opportunity for approximately 100 Army leaders and partners to discuss armor doctrine, organization, equipment and future policy on tank warfare. Lessons learned from the Second World War helped guide discussions during the conference. Another subject studied was how atomic weapons would affect tank warfare.
The conference offered a stage from which to showcase newly developed weaponry, vehicles, and bridges. Rocket-propelled explosives were demonstrated that rattled homes 30 miles away. Among the numerous vehicles demonstrated for the attendees was the M44 armored utility vehicle and 105mm Gun Motor Carriage T95. However, future development for these two vehicles was eventually abandoned.
Thirteen general officers attended the conference, a number of which were influential to Fort Knox's history. Among the attendees was Gen. Jacob Devers, chief of Army Ground Forces and the past Fort Knox commanding general, and Maj. Gen. Hugh Gaffey, Fort Knox commanding general at that time.
Among the future Fort Knox commanding generals in attendance were Maj. Gen. John Leonard, Maj. Gen. I. D. White, and Col. John Ryan, Jr. Army chief of staff Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was expected to be among the attendees, but ultimately was unable to attend.
Much like the AUSA conference today, leaders used the armored conference as an opportunity for the Army and defense industry to address issues and discuss needs for armored equipment. Representing industry were K.T. Keller, president of the Chrysler Corporation; H. F. Vickers, of Vickers, Inc., and C. A. Frische, of Sperry Gyroscope Company.
Officers from the War Department's Special Information Section were present to handle any censorship issues and the media. Committee reports were labeled confidential and an address by Maj. Gen. Leslie Groves, who directed the Manhattan Project, was classified as top secret.
Following the conference, organizers offered attendees a photo album commemorating the important event. That first conference ultimately paved the way for future armor conferences for subsequent generations.
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