3rd Armored Division in World War II

Unit Insignia and History 

· Beautiful Walnut Frame. 11” x 14”

· Contains:

                 Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

                 Route of the Division across Europe 

                 Division Commanders

                 Major Campaigns/Battle

                 Order of Battle

Adapted from the U.S. Army Center of Military History Combat Chronicles

The 3d Armored Division landed in Normandy 23 June, 1944 and entered combat on 29 June, 1944.   The Division initially fought easy of St Lo and broke out of the hedgerows at Marigny and swung south to Mayenne in the St. Lo break-through.

In August, the Division, as part of the US 1st Army and with the US 3rd Army, British, Canadian and Polish forces participated in closing of the Falaise Gap, encircling and destroying the German Seventh Army.  Later the Division cut across the Seine River, and was streaking through Meaux, Soissons, Laon, Mons, Namur, and Liege.

Between 8 and 13 September Leige and Eupen fell. The Division broke through the Siegfried Line, capturing Rotgen and Stolberg.  

When the Battle of the Bulge broke, the Division was shifted to Hotten and Houffalize, Belgium, where it severed the Manhay-Houffalize highway leading to St. Vith, and in January participated in the reduction of the German salient north of Bastogne.  After a brief rest, the Division crossed the Roer River- into Duren, broke out of the Duren bridgehead, and drove south along the Rhine to capture Cologne 6 March, 1945. The Division swept to Paderborn to encircle the Ruhr pocket.  The Division took Paderborn, assisted in mopping up the Ruhr pocket, crossed the Saale River, and after overcoming stiff resistance took Dessau, 21-23 April 1945.  It moved to Sangerhausen for rest and were there on 7 May, 1945 when hostilities ended.