3rd Infantry Division

3rd Infantry Division
Unit name	3rd Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1917–1919, 1921–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Combined arms
Size	Division
Garrison	Fort Stewart, Georgia
Nickname	"Rock of the Marne"
Motto	"Nous Resterons Là" (We Shall Remain Here)
Battles	World War I, World War II, Korean War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, War in Afghanistan
Notable commanders	Joseph T. Dickman, John W. O'Daniel, Lucian Truscott, John P. Lucas, Thomas F. Metz
Identification symbol	75px

3rd Infantry Division is a combined arms division of the United States Army based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Its history dates to its activation during World War I, and it has served in every major U.S. conflict since. The division is famously known as the "Rock of the Marne" for its steadfast defense during the Second Battle of the Marne.

History

The unit was first constituted in November 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina, under the command of Joseph T. Dickman. It deployed to France and saw extensive combat on the Western Front, participating in the Aisne-Marne Offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, it was part of the occupation forces before returning to the United States and being deactivated in 1919. The division was reactivated in 1921 at Fort Lewis, and on the eve of World War II, it trained extensively under Lesley J. McNair's Army Ground Forces doctrines. During the Korean War, it fought in critical battles like the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and the Battle of the Hook.

Organization

The division is organized under the U.S. Army Forces Command and consists of three infantry brigade combat teams: the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard. It also includes the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, the 3rd Division Artillery, and the 3rd Sustainment Brigade. This structure supports the Army of Excellence and modular force concepts, enabling rapid deployment and integration with elements from the XVIII Airborne Corps and other Department of Defense components.

Insignia and traditions

The division's shoulder sleeve insignia, a blue patch with three white stripes, was approved by the Department of the Army in 1918. Its nickname, "Rock of the Marne," originates from its heroic stand at the Marne River in July 1918. The motto "Nous Resterons Là" was given by French Marshal Ferdinand Foch. The division song is "The Dogface Soldier," and its mascot is a Bulldog named "Rocky." These symbols are maintained by the Society of the Third Infantry Division.

Notable commanders

Prominent leaders have shaped the division's legacy. Early commander Joseph T. Dickman led it through World War I. In World War II, Lucian Truscott commanded during the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign, while John P. Lucas later led it at the Battle of Anzio. John W. O'Daniel commanded during the Korean War. More recently, Thomas F. Metz led the division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and David H. Petraeus served as its assistant division commander prior to commanding Multi-National Force – Iraq.

Campaigns and battles

The division's battle honors span multiple wars. In World War I, it fought at Château-Thierry and the Second Battle of the Marne. During World War II, it participated in the North African Campaign, the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Battle of Monte Cassino, and the invasion of Southern France, culminating in the capture of Nuremberg. In the Korean War, it was engaged at the Battle of the Soyang River. More recently, it led major combat operations during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Battle of Baghdad, and the Second Battle of Fallujah, and later conducted stability operations in Regional Command South during the War in Afghanistan.

Current status and deployments

Headquartered at Fort Stewart with elements at Fort Benning, the division is a key component of the XVIII Airborne Corps' global response force. It maintains a high state of readiness for rapid deployment worldwide under the guidance of United States Central Command and United States European Command. Recent rotations have included forward presence missions in Eastern Europe supporting NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence, and ongoing advisory missions in the Middle East. The division continues to train alongside allies like the British Army and the Bundeswehr through exercises such as Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1917