3rd Infantry Division (United States)

3rd Infantry Division (United States)
source
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
Command structure	XVIII Airborne Corps
Garrison	Fort Stewart, Georgia
Nickname	"Rock of the Marne", "Marne Division"
Motto	"Nous Resterons Là" (French for "We Shall Remain Here")
Battles	World War I, World War II, Korean War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Current commander	MG Charles D. Costanza
Notable commanders	Joseph T. Dickman, John W. O'Daniel, Lucian Truscott, John P. Lucas, Thomas F. Metz

3rd Infantry Division (United States). The 3rd Infantry Division is a combined arms division of the United States Army based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. It is a subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps and has a distinguished history spanning over a century of service. Nicknamed the "Rock of the Marne" for its stalwart defense during World War I, the division has fought in every major U.S. conflict since its activation in 1917.

History

The division was activated in November 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina, for service in World War I. It earned its enduring nickname during the Second Battle of the Marne in July 1918, where it held its ground against a massive German offensive. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the division served as part of the occupation force in Germany. Reactivated in 1941 at Fort Lewis, the division saw extensive action in World War II, participating in the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign, and the invasion of Southern France before advancing into Germany. During the Korean War, the division fought in major battles including the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir and the Third Battle of Seoul.

Organization

The division is headquartered at Fort Stewart, with its sustainment brigade at Fort Moore. Its primary maneuver brigades are 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. The division also commands the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, and the 3rd Division Artillery. This structure is designed for rapid deployment and sustained combat operations across the full spectrum of warfare.

Campaigns and operations

The division's campaign participation credits are extensive, beginning with the Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne offensives in World War I. In World War II, it fought through North Africa, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, and Southern France before the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. It saw heavy combat throughout the Korean War, including at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. In the modern era, the division was a central component of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the subsequent Battle of Baghdad, and sustained operations during the Iraq War. It also conducted multiple deployments to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Honors and awards

The division has received numerous unit decorations, including two Presidential Unit Citations for actions at Colmar and in South Korea. It was awarded the French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with palm for its stand at the Marne, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for the Korean War. Individual soldiers have earned many of the nation's highest awards, such as the Medal of Honor, with notable recipients including Audie Murphy and Maurice L. Britt.

Notable members

Many distinguished soldiers have served in the division. Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II, served in its 15th Infantry Regiment. Other notable members include General Lucian Truscott, who commanded the division and later the U.S. Fifth Army; John P. Lucas, commander during the Battle of Anzio; and Chesty Puller, who served with the division in Haiti. In later years, former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell was a battalion commander in the division during the 1970s.

In popular culture

The division's legacy has been depicted in various films and literature. Audie Murphy's autobiography, To Hell and Back, and the subsequent 1955 film where he portrayed himself, chronicle his service with the 3rd Division in World War II. The division's actions in the Korean War are featured in the film and book Pork Chop Hill. More recently, the division's role in the Iraq War has been documented in films like The War Tapes and books such as The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell by John Crawford.