1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment

1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment
Unit name	1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment
Dates	1812–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry, guard duties
Size	Battalion
Command structure	3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), United States Army Military District of Washington
Garrison	Fort Myer
Motto	"Non Sibi" / "Fortitudine"
Notable commanders	General John A. Logan, Colonel Randolph Ridgway

1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment

1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment is the line infantry battalion of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment serving as the active duty foot guard unit attached to the United States Army Military District of Washington, based at Fort Myer and closely associated with ceremonial duties at the Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and national state functions in Washington, D.C., while also maintaining tactical infantry capabilities for deployments to operations like Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

History

The battalion traces lineage to formations raised during the War of 1812 and participated in the Second Seminole War, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War, serving in campaigns that included the Peninsula Campaign and the Overland Campaign, and later assignments during the Indian Wars and the Spanish–American War. In the 20th century the regiment, including this battalion, performed garrison and security duties in the Philippine–American War, provided color guard and ceremonial detachments during the interwar years, and held occupation duties after World War II and during the Cold War in the continental United States and overseas. During the post-9/11 era the battalion deployed personnel to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and homeland security missions tied to Presidential inaugurations and State funerals.

Organization and Structure

The battalion is organized under the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the Military District of Washington with companies responsible for combined ceremonial and tactical tasks; companies typically include Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Infantry Companies assigned to ceremonial and security missions, and a Band/Color Guard detachment that interfaces with institutions such as Arlington National Cemetery, The White House, United States Capitol, and the Pentagon. The battalion maintains relationships with training institutions including the United States Army Infantry School, the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, and joint service organizations like the Joint Task Force National Capital Region. Administrative control may shift during deployments to combatant commanders such as United States Central Command.

Campaigns and Engagements

The battalion has a long operational record across major American conflicts, including actions tied to the War of 1812, Mexican–American War, American Civil War engagements like Battle of Antietam and Battle of Gettysburg elements, frontier service during the Indian Wars, expeditionary operations in the Philippine–American War, and expeditionary service tied to World War II theaters in Europe and the Pacific via regimental elements. In modern times detachments supported stability and counterinsurgency operations in Iraq War provinces and Afghanistan provinces under task forces operating with units from the 1st Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and 3rd Armored Division, and have participated in multinational exercises with NATO partners including deployments associated with Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Unit Honors and Decorations

The battalion and its regiment have been awarded unit commendations and campaign streamers for service in conflicts such as the War of 1812, Mexican War, the Civil War, World War II, Korean War era service ribbons through regimental lineage, and modern awards including the Meritorious Unit Commendation and Valorous Unit Award-style recognitions through subordinate unit citations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom taskings. The battalion also carries ceremonial distinctions tied to service at national monuments like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and honors associated with long-standing duties under presidential commands, reflected in awards issued by the Department of the Army and citations from the Secretary of Defense for exceptional performance in national-level events.

Notable Commanders and Personnel

Historically prominent leaders connected to the regiment include figures like General John A. Logan and regimental commanders who shaped its ceremonial mission, officers and noncommissioned officers who later served in senior positions across the Department of Defense, and Medal of Honor recipients from regimental actions in earlier wars. The battalion's personnel have included senior drill sergeants and ceremonial experts who collaborated with agencies such as the United States Secret Service, the Smithsonian Institution for memorial events, and the National Park Service for national commemoration ceremonies.

Traditions and Insignia

The battalion inherits the regiment's traditions such as close-order drill, sentry duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participation in Presidential inaugurations and state funerals, reflecting customs codified by 19th-century practices and refined during the 20th century under directives from Department of the Army headquarters. Insignia associated with the regiment include the distinctive unit insignia and shoulder sleeve insignia reflecting lineage to the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), regimental colors and campaign streamers displayed at Fort Myer and ceremonial venues, and ceremonial accoutrements used for events at the White House and national cemeteries.

Equipment and Weapons Development

While primarily focused on ceremonial duties, the battalion remains a combat-capable infantry unit equipped and trained with standard small arms and support weapons fielded by the United States Army, including the M4 carbine, crew-served weapons such as the M240 machine gun, precision systems like the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, and support vehicles adapted for security missions including the Humvee and tactical transport platforms maintained under sustainment from the Army Materiel Command. The battalion also interfaces with research and development organizations such as the Army Futures Command and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command for testing of training systems, ceremonial equipment, and survivability enhancements.

Category:Infantry battalions of the United States Army