3rd Infantry Division
An active combined-arms division of the United States Army, established in 1917 and nicknamed the “Rock of the Marne.”
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The 3rd Infantry Division, commonly designated 3ID, is an active United States Army combined-arms formation headquartered at Fort Stewart, Georgia. It belongs to the XVIII Airborne Corps within U.S. Army Forces Command. Although described historically as an infantry division, its modern structure includes armored brigade combat teams, aviation, artillery, sustainment, and maneuver-enhancement capabilities. It is therefore a deployable operational formation rather than a consumer-facing brand, with its identity expressed through service, heraldry, history, unit traditions, and public military communications. The division was organized in November 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina, following the United States’ entry into the First World War. It deployed to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces and fought in the Aisne-Marne sector in July 1918. During the Second Battle of the Marne, elements of the division held positions along the Marne River while nearby formations withdrew. This defense produced the enduring nickname “Rock of the Marne,” while the division’s blue-and-white insignia also led to the informal name “Blue and White Devils.” The division received recognition for maintaining its position against the German offensive, and two of its soldiers received the Medal of Honor during the First World War. In the interwar period, the division served at Camp Lewis, later Fort Lewis, Washington, and conducted training for its own personnel, Reserve components, Citizens Military Training Camp participants, and ROTC cadets. It was reorganized into a triangular infantry division in 1939 and undertook extensive maneuver and amphibious training before the United States entered the Second World War. The division’s Second World War service was unusually broad. It landed in French Morocco during Operation Torch in November 1942, invaded Sicily in July 1943, landed at Salerno in September, and later fought through France, Germany, and Austria. It was among the first American formations to conduct offensive ground operations against Axis forces and fought for 531 consecutive days across the European theater. The division’s wartime members included Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American soldiers of the conflict. Its military working dog Chips also became associated with the division after serving in North Africa, Sicily, and later European campaigns. The 3rd Infantry Division fought in the Korean War and subsequently became a major component of the American military presence in West Germany and NATO’s Central European defense structure from 1957 to 1996. In the post-Cold War era it participated in operations connected with Iraq and Afghanistan. Its Iraq service included the opening ground campaign in 2003 and later rotations during the U.S. phase of the Iraq War. It also supplied personnel and units for operations in Afghanistan. The division’s present organization centers on armored maneuver and combined-arms operations. Its publicly described components include a division headquarters and headquarters battalion, two armored brigade combat teams, a combat aviation brigade, division artillery, a sustainment brigade, a combat sustainment support battalion, and a maneuver enhancement brigade. The division’s institutional reputation rests on combat continuity, expeditionary readiness, and a highly decorated record; 61 members have received the Medal of Honor, a total identified in reference material as the highest among U.S. Army divisions.
History
The War Department directed the formation of the 3rd Division on 12 November 1917, and organization began at Camp Greene later that month. The division assembled Regular Army cadres and newly inducted personnel from installations across the United States before sailing to France between late 1917 and spring 1918. In July 1918 it took part in the Aisne-Marne Offensive. During the Second Battle of the Marne, its units defended the Marne River near Château-Thierry while other formations retreated. The stand became the source of the “Rock of the Marne” identity and remains the central element of the division’s institutional mythology. After the First World War, the division performed occupation duty in Germany and returned to the United States in August 1919. It was stationed at Camp Pike and then Camp Lewis, where its elements trained Reserve units and participated in large-scale maneuvers. A triangular reorganization in 1939 reduced the infantry structure to three regiments and reorganized supporting arms into battalions. Amphibious and field exercises in California and Washington prepared the division for wartime deployment. During the Second World War, the division landed in Morocco during Operation Torch in November 1942. It subsequently fought in Sicily, at Salerno, through France, and across Germany and Austria. The formation was notable for the length and geographic breadth of its combat service, and it served continuously in offensive operations for more than 500 days. Audie Murphy served in the division, while the war dog Chips became associated with its Sicilian fighting. Following victory in Europe, the division returned to the United States and later served in Korea. From 1957 through 1996, the division was a major U.S. Army formation in West Germany, supporting NATO’s deterrence posture during the Cold War. After the Cold War, it was repeatedly reorganized and re-equipped for expeditionary operations. Its post-2001 history includes major service in Iraq, beginning with the 2003 invasion and continuing through later rotations, as well as deployments and support missions in Afghanistan. Today the division is based at Fort Stewart and operates as a combined-arms formation with armored brigades, aviation, artillery, sustainment, and headquarters elements.
- 2003
Iraq War ground campaign
[1]The division took part in the opening U.S. ground campaign in Iraq.
- 1957
NATO presence in West Germany
[1]The division began a long period as a major U.S. Army formation in West Germany.
- 1943
Sicily and Italy campaigns
[1]The division landed in Sicily in July and at Salerno in September before continuing into continental Europe.
- 1942
Operation Torch
[1]The division landed at Fedala in French Morocco during the Allied invasion of North Africa.
- 1939
Triangular reorganization
[1]The division adopted a triangular structure with three infantry regiments and reorganized supporting units.
- 1918
Defense of the Marne
[1]The division held positions during the Second Battle of the Marne, establishing the “Rock of the Marne” tradition.
- 1917
Division organized
[1]The War Department ordered the organization of the 3rd Division at Camp Greene, North Carolina, in November 1917.
Products and positioning
A combat-ready U.S. Army combined-arms division whose institutional identity is built around expeditionary readiness, armored maneuver, sustained operational service, and the “Rock of the Marne” tradition.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The division served as a major U.S. ground formation during the invasion of Iraq and later occupation and security operations.
Outcome. It completed combat and follow-on rotations during the U.S. phase of the Iraq War.
- 1943Operation Husky
Sicily, Italy
The division landed near Licata and fought through the Allied campaign to seize Sicily.
Outcome. The campaign secured Sicily and preceded the division’s landing at Salerno.
- 1942Operation Torch
French Morocco
The division conducted an amphibious assault at Fedala during the Allied invasion of North Africa.
Outcome. Its forces captured their assigned area and remained in North Africa for subsequent operations and training.
- 1918Aisne-Marne Offensive
France
The division defended the Marne sector against the German offensive and earned its principal nickname.
Outcome. The defense helped block the German advance toward Paris and became a defining unit tradition.
- War in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Personnel and subordinate units supported U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.
Outcome. The division contributed forces during the conflict’s 2001–2021 U.S. war period.
Brand decisions
1939
Adoption of the triangular division structureStrategyBackground
The Army was redesigning infantry divisions for a more flexible wartime organization.
Action taken
The division reorganized around three infantry regiments and converted several supporting regiments into battalions.
Aftermath
The new structure was used during the division’s Second World War training and combat service.
- Modern combined-arms organizationStrategy
Background
The division’s contemporary mission requires armored maneuver, aviation, fires, sustainment, and force-protection capabilities.
Action taken
The active formation is organized with armored brigade combat teams, aviation, artillery, sustainment, and maneuver-enhancement elements.
Aftermath
The structure supports expeditionary operations under XVIII Airborne Corps and Army Forces Command.
Recent events
- 2003
3rd Infantry Division enters Iraq in 2003[1]
Other
The division was among the principal U.S. ground formations in the opening phase of the Iraq War and advanced toward Baghdad.
- 1943
3rd Infantry Division lands in Sicily[1]
Other
The division made an amphibious landing near Licata during Operation Husky and helped establish Allied control of Sicily.
- 1942
3rd Infantry Division participates in Operation Torch[1]
Other
The division conducted its first major Second World War combat operation by landing at Fedala in French Morocco as part of the Allied invasion of North Africa.
3rd Infantry Division supports operations in Afghanistan[1]
Other
Division personnel and subordinate units served in the Afghanistan conflict during the U.S. war period.
Sources2 sources
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