3rd Infantry Division (United States)

3rd Infantry Division (United States)

The 3rd Infantry Division (nicknamed the Rock of the Marne) is a United States Army infantry division based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. It is a direct subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps and U.S. Army Forces Command

The division fought in France in World War I. In World War II, it landed with Gen. Patton's task force in a contested amphibious landing on the coast of Morocco overwhelming Vichy French defenders in November 1942. North Africa. In 1943, The division invaded Sicily in July, and invaded Italy at Salerno in September, before fighting in France and finally Germany. The Division suffered the highest casualty rate of any American Division in World War II. Its exploits are aptly illustrated by its Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, featured in the Hollywood movie, "To Hell and Back". The Division also deployed to Korea in 1950 during the Korean War and fought in some of the toughest combat of the conflict. From 1957 until 1996, the division was the "backbone" of the United States Army's presence in the NATO alliance in West Germany.

The 3rd Infantry Division was the first conventional U.S. unit to cross the border into Iraq and enter Baghdad during the 2003 invasion, and the first division to serve four tours in Iraq. Its current organization includes four brigade combat teams, one aviation brigade, and support elements.