<P> The Continental Congress unanimously elected Henry Knox "Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery" on 17 November 1775 . The regiment formally entered service on 1 January 1776 . </P> <P> The Armor branch traces its origin to the Cavalry . A regiment of cavalry was authorized to be raised by the Continental Congress Resolve of 12 December 1776 . Although mounted units were raised at various times after the Revolution, the first in continuous service was the United States Regiment of Dragoons, organized in 1833 . The Tank Service was formed on 5 March 1918 . The Armored Force was formed on 10 July 1940 . Armor became a permanent branch of the Army in 1950 . </P> <P> The Ordnance Department was established by act of Congress on 14 May 1812 . During the Revolutionary War, ordnance material was under supervision of the Board of War and Ordnance . Numerous shifts in duties and responsibilities have occurred in the Ordnance Corps since colonial times . It acquired its present designation in 1950 . </P> <P> The Signal Corps was authorized as a separate branch of the Army by act of Congress on 3 March 1863 . However, the Signal Corps dates its existence from 21 June 1860, when Congress authorized the appointment of one signal officer in the Army, and a War Department order carried the following assignment: "Signal Department--Assistant Surgeon Albert J. Myer to be Signal Officer, with the rank of Major, 27 June 1860, to fill an original vacancy ." </P>

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