3rd Infantry Division (United States)
The 3rd Infantry Division ("Rock of the Marne") is a combined arms division of the United States Army, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. It is a direct reporting unit to XVIII Airborne Corps.
History
The division was officially activated on November 21, 1917, at Camp Greene, North Carolina, during World War I. Composed of elements drawn from various states, it quickly deployed to France in the spring of 1918. Its tenacious defense along the Marne River earned it the nickname "Rock of the Marne." The division participated in several major offensives, including the Aisne-Marne, Champagne-Marne, Saint-Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne.
During World War II, the 3rd Infantry Division was one of the first American divisions to see action in North Africa, landing as part of Operation Torch in November 1942. It subsequently fought in Sicily, Italy, and Southern France. The division participated in numerous hard-fought battles, including the landings at Anzio, the crossing of the Volturno River, and the liberation of Marseille. Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II, served with the 3rd Infantry Division.
In the Korean War, the division arrived in Korea in late 1950 and participated in heavy fighting throughout the conflict. It fought in battles such as the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the advance north into North Korea, and the Chinese counteroffensives.
Following the Korean War, the 3rd Infantry Division was stationed in Germany for decades, serving as a key component of NATO's defense against the Warsaw Pact.
In the early 1990s, elements of the division deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
The 3rd Infantry Division has also been deployed to Iraq multiple times as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. It played a significant role in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and subsequent counterinsurgency operations.
Organization
The 3rd Infantry Division is a modular division consisting of brigade combat teams (BCTs), a combat aviation brigade, a division artillery (DIVARTY), and a division sustainment brigade. This structure allows for greater flexibility and deployability.
Notable Units
Several of the division's subordinate units have their own distinguished histories and traditions.
Honors
The 3rd Infantry Division has earned numerous awards and decorations for its service, including multiple Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards, and campaign streamers. Individual members of the division have also received numerous awards for valor and meritorious service.
Traditions
The division's motto is "Nous Resterons Là" (We Shall Remain There), reflecting its unwavering defense during the Battle of the Marne. The division's patch features three white diagonal stripes on a blue background, representing the division's numerical designation.