The 3rd Armored Division —nicknamed the Spearhead Division— was an armored division of the United States Army. The division was first activated in 1941, and was a key participant in the European Theater of World War II. The division was stationed in Germany for much of the Cold War, and participated in the Persian Gulf War. Shortly after the Gulf War, the division was deactivated as part of a general drawing down of forces at the end of the Cold War. As of 2006 its strength is officially zero, but it is not inactive. Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... Animation of the WWII European Theatre. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

U.S. 3rd Armored Division
Active	1941-1945 1947-1992
Country	United States of America
Allegiance	United States
Branch	U.S. Army
Type	Armored Division (Heavy)
Role	Armored Attack/Exploitation
Size	Typically 15,000+
Nickname	Spearhead
Motto	Spearhead!
Colors	Blue, Red, Gold, Black
March	Spearhead March
Battles/wars	World War II Desert Storm
Commanders
Notable commanders	Major General Maurice Rose
Insignia
Identification symbol	Armored Division Triangle

Shoulder sleeve patch of the 3rd Armored Division File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... General Maurice Rose (November 26, 1899 - March 31, 1945) was an American military officer in the United States Army during World War II. Rose first enlisted in the Colorado National Guard as a Private in 1915 hoping to serve with General John Black Jack Pershings expedition into Mexico. ...

World War II

Order of Battle

The Third Armored Division was organized as a "heavy" armored division, as was its counterpart, the Second Armored Division aka "Hell on Wheels". Other U.S. armored divisions of the time were smaller by comparison, since in the judgement of U.S. Military Staff, the large divisions were so large as to be somewhat unwieldy when maneuvering across the European road systems. Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 2nd Armored Division, Hell on Wheels. ...

As a "heavy" division, the 3rd Armored possessed two armored regiments totalling four medium tank battalions and two of light tanks (18 companies) instead of three tank battalions containing both (12 companies), 232 Medium tanks instead of the 168 allotted a light armored division, and with attached units numbered over 16,000 men, instead of the normal 12,000 found in the light armored divisions. Each division type had an infantry component of three mechanized infantry battalions. British regiment A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - commanded by a colonel. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, bicycles, or other means. ... Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). ...

The division's core units were the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, the 32nd Armored Regiment, the 33rd Armored Regiment, the 23rd Armored Engineer Battalion, the 83rd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and the 143rd Armored Signal Company. During World War II, these were organized operationally into task forces known as Combat Commands A, B and R (Reserve), as in the light divisions. Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... Look up company in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A Combat Command was a combined-arms military organization of comparable size to a brigade or regiment employed by armored forces of the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1963. ...

In addition to the core units, a number of other units of various kinds were attached to the division during various operations. As with most American divisions in World War II, the 3rd Armored suffered heavy casualties, and by the end of the war replacement troops often outnumbered veterans in the line units.

During 1944 and 1945, the units comprising the Third Armored Division included:

Combat Units:

• 32nd Armored Regiment
• 33rd Armored Regiment
• 36th Armored Infantry Regiment
• 54th Field Artillery Battalion
• 67th Field Artillery Battalion
• 391st Field Artillery Battalion
• 143rd Signal Company
• 23rd Armored Engineer Battalion
• 83rd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion

Headquarters Units:

• Headquarters Company, 3rd Armored Division
• Service Company, 3rd Armored Division
• Division Trains
• Supply Battalion
• 45th Armored Medical Battalion
• 503rd Intelligence Corps

Attached Units:

• 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (attached 22 December 1944 to 26 December 1944)
• 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (attached 25 June 1944 to 17 December 1944, 2 January 1945 to 9 May 1945)
• 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion (attached 25 June 1944 to 2 July 1944)
• 413th AAA Gun Battalion (attached 7 July 1944 to 16 July 1944)
• 486th AAA Auto-Weapons Battalion (attached 25 June 1944 to 9 May 1945)

December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... American troops mount an anti-aircraft gun near the Algerian coastline in 1943 Anti-aircraft warfare, or air defence, is any method of engaging military aircraft in combat from the ground. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Training Timeline

3 AD Tankers under fire, Cologne

The division was activated on April 15, 1941 at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. In June 1941, it moved to Camp Polk Louisiana (now Fort Polk). On 9 March 1942, it came under Army Ground Forces and was assigned to the II Armored Corps. In July 1942, it was transferred to Camp Young, CA and from August to October 1942, took part in maneuvers at the Desert Training Center. It left Camp Young in January 1943 and moved to the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania. Image File history File links 3adCologne. ... Image File history File links 3adCologne. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... is the 68th day of the year (69th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The 3rd AD arrived in the European Theatre on September 15, 1943, conducting pre-invasion training in the Liverpool and Bristol areas. It remained in Somerset, England until June 24, 1944, when it departed to partake in the Normandy operations. is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the county of Somerset in England. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is God Save the Queen. See also Proposed English National Anthems. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Flag of Normandy Normandy (in French: Normandie, and in Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region in northern France. ...

3 AD soldier and a young admirer

Image File history File links 3adThankyoukisss. ... Image File history File links 3adThankyoukisss. ...

Into Battle

The first elements of the 3rd Armored in France saw combat on June 29, with the division as a whole beginning combat operations on July 9, 1944. During this time, it was under the command of VII Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps for some time, and assigned to the First Army and the 12th Army Group for the duration of its career. is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the VII Corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, see VII Corps (ACW). ... XVIII ABC Background Trim The XVIII Airborne Corps is the corps of the United States Army designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world. ... Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. First Army. ... The 12th Army Group was the largest and most powerful American formation ever to take to the field. ...

The division "spearheaded" the US First Army through Normandy, taking part in a number of engagements, notably including the Battle of Saint Lô, where it suffered significant casualties. After facing heavy fighting in the hedgerows, and developing methods to overcome the vast thickets of brush and earth that constrained its mobility, the unit broke out at Marigny, alongside the 1st Infantry Division, and swung south to Mayenne. Saint-Lô is a town and commune of France, the préfecture (capital) of the Manche département, in Normandy. ... In gardening a hedge is a row of woody plants, generally of one species, used to demarcate spaces. ...

Ordered to help close the Falaise Gap and Argentan pocket which contained the German Seventh Army, the division finished the job near Putanges by 18 August. Six days later the outfit had sped through Courville and Chartres and was located at the banks of the Seine River. On the night of August 25, 1944 the crossing of the Seine by the division started; once over, the 3rd slugged its way across France, reaching Belgium on September 2, 1944. During World War II, the Falaise pocket (also known as the Chambois pocket, Chambois-Montcormel pocket, Falaise-Chambois pocket) was the area between the four cities of Trun-Argentan-Vimoutiers-Chambois near Falaise, France, in which United States 12th Army Group encircled and destroyed the German Seventh Army. ... Ensign of the German 7th Army from 1944 The German Seventh Army (German: ) was a World War II field army. ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the river in France; it should not be confused with the Senne, a much smaller river that flows through Brussels. ... is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Liberated in the path of the division were Meaux, Seissons, Laon, Marle, Mons, Charleroi, Namur and Liege. It was at Mons that the division cut off 40,000 Wehrmacht troops and captured 8,000 prisoners. Then the division began the first invasion of Germany since the days of Napoleon. Wehrmacht   (armed forces, literally defence force(s)) was the name of the armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. ...

3 AD Tanks & Troops cross the Siegfried Line, September 1944

Image File history File links 3adsiegfriedline. ... Image File history File links 3adsiegfriedline. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Across the Rhine

On September 10, 1944 the Spearhead Division fired what it claimed was the first American field artillery shell of the war onto German soil. Two days later it passed the German border and soon breached the Siegfried Line, taking part in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants United States Germany Commanders Courtney Hodges Walter Model Strength 120,000 80,000 Casualties 33,000 casualties 12,000—16,000 deaths[1] (est. ...

The 3rd Armored Division continued fighting during the Battle of Bulge, far north of the deepest German penetration. Countering German attacks, it severed an important highway leading to St Vith. By late January 1945, the German offensive had been checked, and the division began pushing its way into Germany. Advancing at a little better than half a mile a day against stiff resistance, the 3rd captured ten towns in January 1945, took 2,149 prisoners and destroyed 61 armored vehicles. The German Ardennes Offensive1, popularly known as the Battle of the Bulge, started in late December 1944 and was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II. The German army had intended to split the Allied line in half, capturing Antwerp and then proceding to... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ...

General Beidinot & 3 AD Officers question locals after liberation of concentration camp

Major General Maurice Rose, Killed in Action, March 1945

Image File history File links 3ADNordhausen. ... Image File history File links 3ADNordhausen. ... Image File history File links MauriceRose. ... Image File history File links MauriceRose. ...

Death of a General

The division began a thrust into the Rhineland of Germany on February 7, 1945. On March 31, the commander of the division, Major General Maurice Rose, famed as one of few commanding generals to frequent the front lines during combat, rounded a corner in his jeep and found himself face to face with a German tank. As he withdrew his pistol to surrender, the young German tank commander, apparently misunderstanding Rose's intentions, shot the general. The Rhineland (Rheinland in German) is the general name for the land on both sides of the river Rhine in the west of Germany. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... General Maurice Rose (November 26, 1899 - March 31, 1945) was an American military officer in the United States Army during World War II. Rose first enlisted in the Colorado National Guard as a Private in 1915 hoping to serve with General John Black Jack Pershings expedition into Mexico. ...

After Rose's death, the two sergeants with him were taken prisoner. Shortly after this, the division went into battle against Waffen SS units, and captured over 100 troops. [1] German historians claim these troops were killed while under guard by Third Armored Division troops, and believe that they were killed in retribution for Rose's death. This is possible, but it is an unfortunate fact that SS prisoners were sometimes killed by Allied troops, who put their adherence to the Geneva Convention aside in the case of SS Troops, due to their heinous reputation, especially after the Malmedy Massacre of 17 December 1944. Waffen-SS recruitment poster; Volunteer to the Waffen-SS The Waffen-SS was the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel. ... The Geneva Conventions consist of treaties formulated in Geneva, Switzerland that set the standards for international law for humanitarian concerns. ... United States soldiers discover the aftermath of the Malmedy Massacre. ...

The division swept into the key city of Cologne in March 1945. Beyond Cologne the division swept up Paderborn in its advance, to shut the back door to the Ruhr. In April, the 3rd crossed the Saale River, north of Halle, and sped on toward the Elbe River. , For other uses, see Cologne (disambiguation). ... For the conurbation see Ruhr Area. ... The Elbe River (Czech Labe, Sorbian/Lusatian Łobjo, Polish Łaba, German Elbe) is one of the major waterways of central Europe. ...

On April 11, 1945, the 3rd Armored discovered the Dora-Mittelbau concentration camp. The division first arrived on the scene, reporting back to headquarters that it had uncovered a large concentration camp near the town of Nordhausen. Requesting help from the 104th Infantry Division, the 3rd immediately began transporting some 250 ill and starving prisoners to nearby hospital facilities. is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Categories: Stub | Nazi concentration camps ... It has been suggested that Internment be merged into this article or section. ... The 104th Infantry Division —nicknamed the Timberwolf Division— was a division of the United States Army that fought for 195 consecutive days during World War II. Some 34,000 men served with the division under the leadership of General Terry Allen, who was much admired despite his nickname, Terrible Terry...

At war’s end it pulled up near Dessau. Occupational duty near Langen was given the division following V-E Day, a role it filled until inactivation. The division was inactivated on 10 November 1945. is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Combat Statistics

The 3rd Armored Division had 231 days of combat in World War II, with a total of 2,540 killed, 7,331 wounded, 95 missing, and 139 captured. Total battle and non-battle casualties came to 16,122.

The 3rd Armored Division lost more tanks in combat than any other U.S. division. Combat Command A lost more tanks than any other unit in the 3rd Armored Division.

Medals & Awards Earned by Division Soldiers

• Distinguished Service Crosses - 17
• Legions of Merit - 23
• Silver Stars - 885
• Soldiers Medal - 32
• Bronze Stars - 3,884
• Purple Hearts - in excess of 10,500
• Air Medals - 138
• Distinguished Flying Crosses - 3

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. ... The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ... The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. ... The Soldiers Medal is a medal of the United States. ... The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... For other meanings see Purple Heart (disambiguation). ... The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ... The Distinguished Flying Cross. ...

Successive Division Commanders during World War II

• Major General Andrew C. Gillem, April 1941 to January 1942
• Major General Walton H. Walker, January 1941 to August 1942
• Major General Leroy R. Watson, August 1942 to August 1944
• Major General Maurice Rose, August 1944 to March 1945 KIA
• Brigadier General Doyle O. Hickey, March to June 1945
• Brigadier General Truman E. Beidinot, June & July 1945
• Brigadier General Frank A. Allen, Jr., July 1945
• Major General Robert W. Grow, July 1945 until inactivation

Temporary grave of an American machine-gunner during the Battle of Normandy. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ...

The Cold War

Ayers Kaserne, 1985. Note Motorpools with Tanks, APCs & Artillery

"Field Version" of Postwar 3 AD patch, for use on khakis & BDUs

The division was reactivated on 15 July 1947 at Fort Knox, Kentucky to act as training formation. In 1955 it was reorganized for combat and shipped to Germany the next year. It replaced the 4th Infantry Division under a program called Operation Gyroscope. Image File history File links Ayerskaserne. ... Image File history File links Ayerskaserne. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 147 × 160 pixelsFull resolution (147 × 160 pixel, file size: 34 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Field version of the 3rd Armored Division patch, used after WWII for use on Khakis and BDUs I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 147 × 160 pixelsFull resolution (147 × 160 pixel, file size: 34 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Field version of the 3rd Armored Division patch, used after WWII for use on Khakis and BDUs I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the... is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about United States Army post. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... It has been suggested that U.S. 1st Brigade 4th Infantry Division be merged into this article or section. ...

The Mission and the Men

The 3rd Armored's primary mission during this period was, in the event of war, to defend the Fulda Gap against numerically superior Warsaw Pact forces alongside other NATO elements. At the peak of East/West tensions during the 1980s, as many as nineteen Soviet and East German divisions faced off against Spearhead soldiers. To prepare their defenses against an invasion, the division's units frequently conducted field training at Hohenfels, Wildflecken and Grafenwöhr U.S. Army training areas, conducting exercises of live fire, movement and communications. The division would also frequently take to the German countryside for training maneuvers, including what became an annually staged war game Reforger, which simulated invasion of Western Europe by Warsaw Pact forces. Location of terrain features in the region of the Fulda Gap. ... Unofficial Seal of the Warsaw Pact Distinguish from the Warsaw Convention, which is an agreement about airlines financial liability and the Treaty of Warsaw (1970) between West Germany and the Peoples Republic of Poland. ... NATO 2002 Summit in Prague. ... Hohenfels is a town in the district of Konstanz in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. ... Wildflecken, founded in 1524, is a small town in the district Bad Kissingen at the border between northeastern Bavaria and Hessen. ... Grafenwöhr is a small town in the district Neustadt (Waldnaab), in eastern Bavaria, Germany. ... Exercise REFORGER (REturn of FOrces to GERmany) was an annual exercise conducted, during the Cold War, by the United States Army. ...

Throughout the Cold War, the division's headquarters was based in Drake-Edwards Kaserne, in Frankfurt Germany, with a number of its subunits based in other Kasernes throughout the German state of Hesse, notably Kirch-Goens (CCA), Gelnhausen (CCB), Buedingen, Butzbach and Friedberg (CCC). The division itself comprised an average of 15,000 soldiers, organized into three Combat Commands (CC) later renamed Brigades, organizations of comparable size to the World War II combat commands. These brigades (ROAD Reorg in 1963) were individually manned by at least one battalion each of infantry, armor, and artillery, and various supporting units, notably including medical, engineering, and aviation elements. The division was also assigned a dedicated military intelligence battalion by 1980. Kaserne is the German translation of the word Barracks, and is the typical term used when naming the Garrison location for NATO forces stationed in Germany. ... Location Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country NUTS Region DE7 Capital Wiesbaden Largest city Frankfurt Minister-President Roland Koch (CDU) Governing party CDU Votes in Bundesrat 5 (from 69) Basic statistics Area  21,100 km² (8,147 sq mi) Population 6,077,000 (08/2006)[1]  - Density... Military intelligence (abbreviated MI, int. ...

Most of the Kasernes were located adjacent to or within German communities, leading to lively trade and interaction between soldiers and German civilians. A few, however, were somewhat remotely located, particularly Ayers Kaserne (aka "The Rock"), where the 1st Brigade was stationed. The most famous soldier in the 3rd Armored Division during the 1950s was Elvis Presley, assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade at Ray Barracks in Friedberg. After his time in service, Presley made the movie G.I. Blues, in which he portrays a 3rd Armored Division tank crewman with a singing career. Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... G.I. Blues is a 1960 Elvis Presley musical motion picture played as a romantic comedy. ...

By 1990, Communism in eastern Europe collapsed, the two Germanies reunited, and the Soviet Army was being withdrawn back to the Soviet Union. With these events, the Cold War came to a peaceful conclusion, freeing U.S. army units in Europe for other deployments. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production. ...

Desert Storm

The division remained in Germany until momentous events in the Middle East developed. In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and soon after, President George Herbert Walker Bush committed US troops to the theater, first to defend Saudi Arabia, and then to eject Iraqi troops from Kuwait. A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... George H. W. Bush - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Redeployment and Retraining

MG Paul Funk reviews plans with Brigade Commanders and Aides - note woodland camouflage

The 3rd Armored Division, then commanded by Major General Paul Funk, was one of four US heavy divisions deployed with U.S. Army VII Corps. The division and its equipment were shifted from Germany to Saudi Arabia, with in some cases, National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve elements taking some of their duties in Germany, while in others, Kasernes were left virtually empty. One must note that this massive redeployment was possible only due to the Western victory in the Cold War, in which the 3rd AD helped to play a part by guarding the Fulda Gap. Image File history File links 3adpaulfunk. ... Image File history File links 3adpaulfunk. ... For the VII Corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, see VII Corps (ACW). ... The United States National Guard is a reserve forces component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...

After redeployment, the division acclimated to the desert climate and its troops faced new challenges in mobility, tactics and maintenance in the sandy and hot climate. Various National Guard and Army Reserve units were then attached to the division for the duration of the conflict, bringing the division's size to over 20,000 troops - 25% larger than during its time in Germany.

The majority of the division's troops never received Desert BDUs, due to a shortage of the uniforms, and fought in lightweight summer "woodland camouflage" uniforms, covered by tanker suits or the ever-present and much-despised chemical warfare protective MOPP suits. The abbreviation BDU may refer to: Battle dress uniform, United States combat uniforms. ... Soldier shown wearing MOPP 4 level gear M.O.P.P. (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) (acronym pronounced as mÇ’p) is a military term used to describe chemical protective gear, to be used in a toxic chemical environment or for example during a chemical or biological strike: Protective Mask - Commonly...

Into Battle

Finally, after months of training the division moved to the Line of Departure, alongside the 1st Armored Division on its left flank and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment on its right flank. While the Iraqi Army concentrated much of its defenses in and around Kuwait itself, the 3rd AD and VII Corps launched a massive armored attack into Iraq, just to the west of Kuwait, taking the Iraqis completely by surprise. Line of Departure is a military term used to denote the starting position for an attack on enemy positions. ... The 1st Armored Division —nicknamed “Old Ironsides”— is an armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Wiesbaden, Germany. ... Coat of Arms of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment The 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (2d ACR) —established by President Andrew Jackson on May 23, 1836 as...

A 3rd AD Brigade along the Line of Departure

Scouts from 2nd Brigade crossed on the afternoon of the February 23, 1991 just after 1500 hours. Less than two hours later, they had penetrated several miles into Iraq and managed to capture over 200 prisoners. On February 24, the official first day of action, the division as a whole swung into action as part of a coordinated attack by hundreds of thousands of allied troops. Image File history File links 3adiraq. ... Image File history File links 3adiraq. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

During the first day of battle, the 3rd Armored pushed 18 miles into Iraq, taking over 200 prisoners. By dawn of the second day, an additional 50 prisoners had been taken, with scouts reporting enemy reinforcements moving to meet the division.

The Second Day

At 1115 hours of the second day, all elements of the division were finally across the Line of Departure. The day was marked by hard pushing to penetrate deep and fast, striking for an objective south of Basra. In the course of its drive, various elements of the division engaged the enemy, taking prisoners, skirmishing, sometimes bypassing enemy strongholds to gain ground, other time engaging in full scale battle. This article is about the city of Basra. ...

Iraqi Tank knocked out by 3rd AD fire

By nightfall of the second day, the 3rd AD had driven 53 miles into Iraq, with dozens of enemy vehicles destroyed, hundreds of POWs captures, and was on the verge of achieving its first objective - an accomplishment that war planners had not anticipated. Image File history File links 3adtankblown. ... Image File history File links 3adtankblown. ...

The Third Day

On the third day of combat, February 26, the division closed in upon its objective and faced for the first time the Iraqi Republican Guard, a much stronger foe than the forces the division had first engaged, and less inclined to retreat or surrender. Opposing forces included the highly touted Republican Guard "Tawakalna" Division, the Iraqi 52nd Armored Division and elements of the 17th and the 10th Armored Divisions. The division engaged in full scale tank battles for the first time since World War II, and as one of the division's veterans states "There was more than enough action for everyone. is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Republican Guard is the organization of a republic which serves to protect the President and the government. ... Iraqi President Saddam Hussein talks with elite Republican Guard officers in Baghdad on March 1, 2003. ...

Action continued after nightfall, and by 1840 hours, the ground and air elements of the 3rd AD could report over 20 tanks, 14 APCs, several trucks and some artillery pieces destroyed. Unfortunately, that same evening, the 4-32nd Armored Battalion lost the division's first casualties Bradley Fighting Vehicle to 25mm cannon fire - with two soldiers killed and three wounded. During the night, both darkness and sandstorms hampered soldiers' visibility, but thermal sighting systems on board the M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradleys allowed gunners to knock out Iraqi targets. East German BRDMs on parade during celebrations of the 40th anniversary of East Germany in 1989 Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) are light armoured fighting vehicles for the transport of infantry. ... General Characteristics (M2 Bradley) Length: 21 ft 2 in (6. ... The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army. ...

The Fourth & Fifth Days

By the fourth day, the division reached its objective, and pursued its now retreating enemy. The division turned east, into Kuwait, continuing to inflict heavy casualties and capture troops as it rolled forward, often hitting new units whose defensive berms and foxholes faced south from their northern flank, rendering their defenses ineffective. By nightfall, forces facing the 3rd Armored Division had been virtually eliminated, with their remnants in full retreat.

By the fifth day of combat, the division had achieved all objectives and continued to push east to block Iraqi retreat from Kuwait, conducting mopping up operations. One hundred hours after the ground campaign started, President Bush declared a ceasefire.

Spearhead

Click for visual of 3AD movement during Gulf War

At the height of the battle, the 3rd AD included 32 battalions and 20,533 troops. It was the largest coalition division in the Gulf War and the largest U.S. armored division in history. In its moving arsenal were 360 Abrams tanks, 340 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 128 self-propelled 155 mm howitzers, 42 Apache attack helicopters, 27 multiple-launch rocket systems, and more. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2346x1650, 561 KB) Description: Map of Troop Movements from Desert Shield/Storm Source: US-Army images Licence: Public Domain File links The following pages link to this file: Gulf War ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2346x1650, 561 KB) Description: Map of Troop Movements from Desert Shield/Storm Source: US-Army images Licence: Public Domain File links The following pages link to this file: Gulf War ... The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, with three main versions being deployed starting in 1980: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. ... The M2 Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and M3 Bradley CFV (Cavalry Fighting Vehicle) are American infantry fighting vehicles manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, (formerly United Defense, originally FMC). ... The M109 is an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. ... The Boeing IDS AH-64 Apache is the US Armys principal attack helicopter, the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... A Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a form of rocket artillery that can be reused. ...

Superior training, initiative and equipment had enabled the soldiers of the 3rd Armored Division to spearhead their way through the Iraqi Army, including opponents with Soviet-provided training and equipment. In the 100-hour Gulf War, the 3rd AD destroyed hundreds of Iraqi tanks and vehicles, and captured more than 2,400 Iraqi prisoners, with 15 division troops killed between December 1990 and late February 1991. This article is about the armed forces of the Soviet Union. ...

In 1991, Division Historian Dan Peterson, comparing the performance of the division in WWII and Desert Storm stated "History does always repeat itself. 3rd Armored Division was the Spearhead in both wars." The soldiers of the 3rd Armored had lived up to the reputation set by their WWII predecessors.

Following the war, 3rd Armored was one of the first units rotated to Camp Doha, Kuwait, providing protection to Kuwait as it rebuilt. Camp Doha was the main US Army base in Kuwait, and played a pivotal role in the US military presence in the Middle East since the 1991 Gulf War and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ...

Retirement

Following Desert Storm, a number of the division's units were transferred to the First Armored Division. The 1st Armored Division —nicknamed “Old Ironsides”— is an armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Wiesbaden, Germany. ...

On January 17, 1992, the 3rd Armored Division officially ceased operations in Germany, with a ceremony in Frankfurt at Division Headquarters, Drake Kaserne. is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

"Sir, this is my final salute. Mission accomplished," said Maj. Gen. Jerry Rutherford, the division commander. Rutherford preceded the final salute to General Crosbie E. Saint, USAREUR Commander, with a loudly shouted "Spearhead!" Tears rolled down the cheeks of some of the soldiers gathered for the ceremony. The division colors were then returned to the United States, with the 3rd AD still officially active, since Army Regulations state that Divisional "Casing of Colors" cannot occur on foreign soil. Crosbie E. Saint is a retired United States Army four star general who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG) from 1988 to 1992. ... The Seventh United States Army, also known as USAREUR, is the main American force in Europe. ...

Official retirement took place at Fort Knox, on October 17, 1992. In attendance at the ceremony were several former Spearhead commanding generals, and division veterans from all eras. In a traditional ceremony, Command Sgt. Major Richard L. Ross, holding the division flag with battle streamers, passed it to 4-star General Frederick M. Franks, Jr., and with that, the official retirement of the division was complete, and it was removed from the official force structure of the U.S. Army. This article is about United States Army post. ... is the 290th day of the year (291st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Frederick M. Franks, Jr. ...

With the end of the Cold War, several of the division's overseas Kasernen were transferred to other units, particularly the 1st Armored Division. Over time, many were closed, fell into disrepair and were eventually demolished.

Future

In the modern era, the differences between an Infantry Division (Heavy) and an Armored Division are not as great as in past years. One of the consequences of this is that unit designations are somewhat liquid, with less regard for unit histories than for seemingly ensuring that the "lowest numbered" infantry and armored divisions remain active (with some exceptions). Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, bicycles, or other means. ... Armor or armour (see spelling differences) is protective clothing intended to defend its wearer from intentional harm in combat and military engagements, typically associated with soldiers. ...

For example, the 5th Infantry Division was reflagged as the 2nd Armored Division, after the original division was retired. After some time, the 2nd Armored was reflagged -again- as the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. Should the U.S. Army grow in size once again, the 2nd Armored Division would likely be reactivated prior to the 3rd Armored Division. Distinctive unit insignia of the 5th Infantry Division. ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 2nd Armored Division, Hell on Wheels. ... It has been suggested that U.S. 1st Brigade 4th Infantry Division be merged into this article or section. ...

If the 3rd Armored was reactivated, most of the new soldiers would never have served in the division, and the equipment, if not brand new would have been transferred from storage, or other units. Some of the regiments historically associated with the division might be returned to it, but once again, new units might simply be reflagged in the name of the old for a semblance of historical continuity.

As technological advances and the nature of warfare change, it may be that someday soon, heavy armored vehicles and large units of over 10,000 soldiers may no longer be desirable. If so, then the 3rd Armored may never return to duty. However, in the minds of its veterans, and those who love history, it will remain forever alive.

The 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment now resides at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as part of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The unit was reorganized as the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, and is assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as its organic RSTA element. The 1st Battalion, 33rd Armor Regiment is also calling Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) home. The 1st Battalion, 33rd Armor was reorganized as the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment and is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry is now part of 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Divion. The following units joined the 1st Cavalry Division: Fort Campbell is a large post of the United States Army located approximately ten miles northwest of downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)—nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles”—is an elite airborne division of the United States Army primarily trained for air assault operations. ... A US Army UH-1 Huey seen offloading troops during the Vietnam War Air Assault (or air mobile, in the U.S.) is the movement of forces by helicopter or aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... French Republican Guard - May 8, 2005 celebrations Cavalry (from French cavalerie) were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat. ... British regiment A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - commanded by a colonel. ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... RSTA is an acronym standing for Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and refers to a type of unit in the United States Army. ... 7th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia The 7th United States Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry regiment, whose lineage traces back to the mid-19th century. ... The 2nd Infantry Division (Heavy) is a formation of the United States Army. ... The 1st Cavalry Division (1st Cav Div) is a heavy armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Hood, Texas. ...

• 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry
• 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry
• 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
• 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation
• 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation

The 5th Cavalry Regiment is a regiment of the United States Army. ... The 8th Cavalry Regiment was organized as a regiment on 21 September 1866 at Angel Island, California. ... The 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment provides aerial C3 support, limited air assault, aeromedical evacuation and air movement for the 1st Cavalry Division. ...

In Media & Memory

Elvis made G.I. Blues immediately after leaving the 3AD

Despite the division's impressive record and the important role it played during the war, it has been often overlooked by both historians and Hollywood, who have favored depictions and histories of units participating in D-Day, and in the siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Books, movies and other media that feature the Third Armored Division include: Image File history File linksMetadata GIBluesElvis. ... Image File history File linksMetadata GIBluesElvis. ... Land on Normandy In military parlance, D-Day is a term often used to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. ... Combatants United States  United Kingdom Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower Omar N. Bradley George S. Patton, Jr. ...

• The Tanks Are Coming (1951) -- A typical WWII action movie of the time, only vaguely based on actual events
• G.I. Blues (1960) -- Elvis Presley, a real life 3AD tanker, stars as a 3rd AD Tanker with an off-post singing career and dreams of owning a nightclub
• Death Traps: The Survival of an American Armored Division in World War II -- A unique look at the war from a Maintenance Officer's perspective
• Rolling Thunder - The True Story of the Third Armored Division (2002) -- A History Channel documentary detailing the history of the division from birth to the 1990s
• Stormin' Norman and the Abrams Tank -- Featuring footage of the 3rd AD in the Gulf War, & interviews with 3AD tankers

G.I. Blues is a 1960 Elvis Presley musical motion picture played as a romantic comedy. ...

External links

Association Websites

• 3AD.com -- The 3rd Armored Division History Foundation -- Covering 1941 to 1992 with high-quality photos, feature articles, documents, audio, and more. Includes, for example, complete text of the 260-page 3AD WWII history "Spearhead in the West" ; audio of President Kennedy's speech to the troops in 1963; details on 3AD Cold War nuclear weapons; Spearhead Newspaper's Gulf War reports; and a look at Elvis Presley's Army days.
• Association of 3d Armored Division Veterans (All-era group) - Extensive historical information, personal photos, and featuring a roster of Operation Desert Storm troops.
• 3rd Armored Division Association (WWII veterans) - a site by Charles R. Corbin Jr., Past President of the Association, with unit histories, photos, and interviews with WWII veterans.
• 3rd Armored Division Association Archives at the University of Illinois. Text-only listings of their large WWII collection, which must be visited in person.
• WWII Reenacting Organization: 32nd Armored Regiment & 83rd Recon Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division (Recreated).
• 3rd AD Unit page on Military.com.
• [http://www.blitzdoughs.com/ WWII reenacting organisation, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment - SE USA

3rd AD Unit Websites

• Voice of Iron: The 143rd Signal Battalion, 3rd Armored Division
• Division Public Information Office 1965-68, including Drake Kaserne in Frankfurt/M
• 1/33 Armor Site by Bob Decker, assigned to 3rd AD at Gelnhausen in mid-1960s
• 486th AAA Bn - WWII - "Anti-Anything Bn"
• 991st Field Artillery Bn - WWII - 155 mm guns

Personal Photos & Remembrances of the Third Armored Division in WWII

• A selection of photos from Marvin Mischnick, 3AD Headquarters photographer in WWII
• A collection of hi-res personal photos from WWII by Sergeant Walter Schreck of the 36th Combat Infantry Battalion, 3rd Armored Division
• Remembrances and Photos of Charles "Ray" Reeder of the 33rd Armored Regiment
• Third Armored Division site built by Sgt. William Teicholz of the 3rd AD, and his son
• WWII pictures of the division at work & rest

Cold War Sites featuring the Third Armored

• Detailed Early to Mid Cold War History of the division, from usarmygermany.com
• Map of 3AD Cold War Kasernes and Units
• Maps of Central Front, Cold War Germany
• "The Tanker" - a site featuring photos of 3rd AD Cold War training exercises in 1978-79
• Fulda Gap Concerns in 1985
• Medical Battalion, 3rd+Armored Site by Leon Baldwin, assigned to 3rd AD 1n 1960s
• Davy Crocketts in the Southern Ave of Fulda Gap 1962

Official & Government Sites

• Bureau of Land Management site on 3rd AD training area in Mojave Desert
• Army WW2 European Documents
• GlobalSecurity.org 3rd Armored Division site
• Unites States Holocaust Historical Museum site, featuring an overview of the liberation of the Nordhausen concentration camp by the 3rd AD, with videos and photos

Other Relevant Sites

• Battle of Hurtgen Forest Website
• Scorpio's Website - The Battle of the Huertgen Forest
• Text Version of "Spearhead in the West" from Questia.com (No G2 Battle Reports)
• Fact Sheet of the 3rd Armored Division from http://www.battleofthebulge.org