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The 3d Infantry Division has one of the most successful combat records of
any U.S. Army division. It has paid a high price for this distinction,
suffering nearly 35,000 wartime casualties. Fifty members of the 3d Infantry
Division have been awarded the Medal of Honor while serving our nation.
Activated in November 1917 during World War I at Camp Greene, North
Carolina, the Division went into combat for the first time eight months
later in France. At midnight on July 14, 1918, the Division earned lasting
distinction. Engaged in the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the Division was
protecting Paris at a position on the banks of the Marne River. When
flanking units retreated, then Division Commander, Major General Joseph
Dickman, told our French allies "Nous Resterons La - We shall remain here."
The 3rd Infantry Division remained rock solid and earned its reputation as
the "Rock of the Marne".
During World War II the 3rd Infantry Division fought in North Africa,
Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Austria for 531 consecutive days of
combat. 3rd Infantry Division soldiers earned 36 Medals of Honor during
World War II. In a single day of combat at Anzio, the 3rd Infantry Division
suffered more than 900 casualties, the most of any division on one day in
World War II. The most highly decorated and well known soldier of the war,
LT Audie Murphy served with the 15th Infantry Regiment in France and Italy.
In April 1958 to April 1996, the Marne Division was station in Germany
serving as a key link in securing the defense of Western Europe and
contributing greatly to the ultimate triumph over Communism in the Cold War
in 1989.
During the Korean War, the Division, was known as the "Fire Brigade" for its
rapid response to crisis. Eleven more MOH recipients were added to the
division's list of heroes during the Korean War.
In November 1990, soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division were once again
called into action. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, more than 6,000
Marne men and women deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation
Desert Storm as part of the Allied Coalition.
In 1996 the Division was re-stationed at Fort Stewart, Fort Benning, and
Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. The Division repeatedly demonstrated its
deployability by maintaining a brigade task force presence in Kuwait. It has
also moved sizeable forces to Egypt, Bosnia and Kosovo in partnership
training and peacekeeping missions. Since Sept 11, 2001, units have been
sent to Afghanistan, Pakistan and other Middle Eastern countries in the War
on Terrorism.
Early in 2003 the deployability and fighting capability of the Marne
Division was highly visible worldwide when the entire Division deployed to
Kuwait. As Operation Iraqi Freedom began in early April, the division was
called on to spearhead the advance to Baghdad. The overwhelming Coalition
force took Baghdad in 21 days, leading to the end of Saddam Hussein's
tyranny over the people of Iraq. Today the Division remains in Iraq
contributing to stabilization and nation building with Coalition forces and
the people of that long oppressed nation.
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