OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE
Society of the 3rd Infantry
Division, U. S. Army
"Men who have offered their lives for their country know
that patriotism is not fear of something;
it is the love of something." Adlai Stevenson-1952 speech to
American Legion
www.3rdiv.org or www.warfoto.com/3rdiv.htm
Last Update
January 27, 2012
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Society of the 3rd Division |
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Personal Request Page |
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 Society of the 3rd Infantry
Division, U.S. Army
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Join
the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division
Eligibility
for Regular Membership:
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The 2012 93rd Society of the 3ID
Reunion The Society of the 3rd Infantry Division and attached units in wars and in peacetime will hold their 93rd annual reunion September 6th - September 9th, 2012. The
reunion will be held at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto Hotel, |
| Coming Soon to a Mailbox near
you! The 2012 Roster Book of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division  |
| Third Infantry Division Monument
Fort Benning |
| With the
construction of the new Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, our
beautiful Third Infantry Division Monument has been left behind at
the old Infantry Museum location. This monument honors the 3rd
Infantry Division and was dedicated during the Society of the Third
Infantry Division Reunion at Ft. Benning in 1992. There is a place
set aside at the new museum for the monuments from the old location.
It is estimated the cost for moving our monument and setting it in the new location will be about $8,000. If every active duty Soldier and all Veterans could give from $1.00 to $10.00 each, we would have the funds to move the monument. It is possible that we could receive enough donations to add another wing to honor our Soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eight thousand of us each giving a dollar would cover the cost. Giving a bit more will insure the success of the fundraising effort, and will conclude the fundraising as soon as possible. The sooner we move the monument the better will be our location at the new museum. To help, please send your contribution, identified as “monument relocation,” to: Ray Anderson, 10 Paddington Ct. Hockessin, DE 19707-9766 Thank you for your help. —Bob Bailey, Chair of the Monument Moving Committee |
| 3rd ID
Headquarters to Deploy to Afghanistan 3rd ID's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is scheduled to head to Afghanistan in August. The deployment is expected to last a year.  |
| January
20, 2012 From Fort Stewart PAO: The Third Infantry Division was notified by the Department of the Army that the division headquarters and headquarters battalion will deploy to Afghanistan in August in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is led by the division commander and his command group and consists of approximately 700 soldiers comprising of various staff components and the support element. Their mission is to serve as the command and control element of Regional Command South, one of four International Security Assistance Force regional commands responsible for all ISAF operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, the division headquarters will advise and assist their Afghan partners as well as provide logistical coordination, civil, administrative and infrastructure support to their area of operation. Until November the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion of Third Infantry Division had been preparing to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn and potential follow on missions. The announcement by the President of the United States ended the timeline for the unit's deployment; however all the training and deployment preparation for Operation New Dawn established a firm basis of preparation for the new deployment mission the unit received. The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is expected to deploy for a year. The new Deployment Period Policy was announced by the Secretary of the Army in August and took effect January 1, 2012, but states division headquarters elements will deploy for a one-year timeframe. The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion anticipate returning late summer 2013. This is the first time the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion will deploy to Afghanistan. The Third Infantry Division Commanding General, Major General Robert "Abe" Abrams said, "The soldiers and leaders of the Marne Division are focused on this new mission and are diligently preparing for the new opportunities and challenges that we will face. I am fully confident in our abilities to accomplish this new deployment mission." |
| 3rd ID
Headquarters tapped for year in Afghanistan Posted: January 20, 2012 Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News By Corey Dickstein  |
 Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams, the
3rd Infantry Division commander, |
| About three months after its
scheduled deployment to Iraq was canceled, the 3rd Infantry
Division’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion has been ordered
to Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced Thursday
afternoon that the about 700-soldier unit and two brigade combat
teams from the Fort Bragg, N.C.-based 82nd Airborne Division would
deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in
August. Because his unit had already undergone training for its expected November 2011 Iraq deployment — that was canceled when President Barrack Obama announced all U.S. troops would exit that country by the end of that year — 3rd ID Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams said the new orders came as no surprise. “Frankly, we have a trained and ready division headquarters,” Abrams said. “We spent an incredible amount of time, energy and resources to get this headquarters ready to go to Iraq. “It was natural for the (Army’s) senior leaders to insert us, if you will, into the batting order knowing that we would need some additional training that’s Afghanistan specific.” Although the unit has deployed to Iraq four times since the U.S. invaded in 2003, it has not before been ordered to Afghanistan. It most recently returned from a 13-month tour in Iraq in November 2010 just before Abrams took the division’s reins last April. The major differences in training the unit’s soldiers to operate at a different destination center around language, culture and geography. The soldiers already have a beat on that, Abrams said. “We’ve already started (training),” the general said. “We had a heads up that this was probably going to occur a couple of months ago, and we’ve taken steps through leader engagement with other units that have previously served in Afghanistan and I’ve personally led a pre-deployment site survey to Afghanistan in December.” The unit has been designated to take the place of the headquarters element of the 82nd Airborne as the operational and tactical command element of the International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command South. Abrams will serve as the commander of ISAF forces in the provinces of Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul and Daykundi. His unit, the general added, will also serve in an advise-and-assist role for its Afghan counterparts. Although the Army’s new Deployment Period Policy — that cut deployment lengths from a year to nine months — went into effect Jan. 1, it specifies division headquarters elements will continue to serve 12-month deployments. Abrams said he expected the unit to return to Fort Stewart in late summer 2013. The 3rd ID Headquarters will follow two battalions — totalling about 1,500 soldiers — from the 3rd ID’s 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan. The Pentagon announced in early January the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment would deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February and the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment would follow in April. “The soldiers and leaders of this division have embraced the opportunity to once again serve their country overseas,” Abrams said. “They stand ready to accept the challenges and opportunities ahead, and they are prepared for this mission.” Savannahnow.com, Savannah Morning News ©2012. All Rights Reserved. |
| Remember the guy who
wouldn't take the flag down? Thanks to John C. Clark (OP2) for sending this on an email |
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| You might remember a news story
several months ago about a crotchety old man who defied his
homeowners association and refused to take down the flagpole on his
property and the large flag that flew on it. Now you can find out
who, exactly, that old man was. If that wasn't enough for a day's work, he later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions. That probably didn't make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a colonel after also serving in Korea and Vietnam , a Congressional Medal of Honor. |
What did make news was a
neighborhood association's quibble with how the 90-year-old veteran
chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home.
Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on a house-mounted
bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot flagpole
were unsuitable. He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action if he didn't take it down. Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them. |
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| "In the time I have
left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without
interference," Barfoot told The Associated Press. As well he should.
And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him,
they might want to read his Medal of Honor citation. It indicates
he's not real good at backing down. Van T. Barfoot's Medal of Honor citation: This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE... BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! AND, BECAUSE OF OLD MEN LIKE VAN BARFOOT! Van T. Barfoot is an Honored Member of Outpost 5845 of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division |
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Future Outpost Meetings and Other Events |
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| February 15, 2012: 67th Anniversary of Colmar Liberation ceremony in Colmar, France | |
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April 25-29, 2012: Anzio Beachhead Veterans of
1944, WWII, Reunion in Norfolk, Virginia. All who served on the
Beachhead or in support of our troops (Army, Navy, Air Force, and
Nurse Corps) are invited to attend. All family members are welcome,
and we look forward to meeting them. For more information, contact
Clyde E. Easter, 276-728-7293 or write 299 Panorama Drive, Fancy Gap, Virginia, 24328-2751. |
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April 28-29, 2012: The spring meeting of Outpost
#12 will be held on April, 28 - 29, 2012, at the Country Inn &
Suites in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The February 2012 issue of the
Watch will contain all the stipulations with which you must comply
in order for you and your guest (2 people total) to have your
dinners paid for by the Outpost. For questions, contact Jerry Manley. jerrymanley@msn.com |
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| May 1, 2012: Marne Plaque dedication ceremony in Bad Brueckenau, Germany | |
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May 4, 2012: 67th anniversary of Liberation
celebration in Salzburg, Austria (by invitation of city only) |
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| May 8, 2012: 67th anniversary of Victory Day - Europe celebration in Colmar | |
| May 23-June 2, 2012: 68th Anniversary Battlefield Tour of Italy: The eleven-day tour will include participation in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy; visits to the landing beaches at Salerno, Paestum, Anzio, Nettuno, and to the beautiful City of Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, the Isle of Capri,Monte Cassino, Rome, the American Embassy, Holy See, and many more places of interest. For more information, contact Clyde E. Easter, 276-728-7293 or write 299 Panorama Drive, Fancy Gap, Virginia, 24328-2751. | |
| May 27, 2012: Outpost #7’s 2012 Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled at 10:15 AM. Parties interested in participating must report 30 minutes early. Check with Outpost President Dave Adams 7thcavghost@gmail.com regarding where to meet and the required attire/dress code at the ceremony | |
| May 27, 2012: Memorial Day ceremony at Aisne-Marne Cemetery, Belleau, France | |
| June 25, 2012: 62nd anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War in Washington DC | |
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July 19-22, 2012: 68th anniversary of Operation Dragoon Historical Seminar and ceremony Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, VA and Arlington National Cemetery |
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July 27, 2012: 59th anniversary of Korean Armistice Day in Washington DC |
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| August 2012: Outpost 5845 Europe plans to conduct a seminar and commemorative events in Arlington, Virginia. For more information, contact Monika Stoy: 703-912-4218 or monikastoy@yahoo.com. | |
| August 14-28, 2012: 68th anniversary of Operation Dragoon ceremonies from St Tropez to Montelimar in Southern France | |
| August 22-25, 2012: The Reunion of the Fraternity of Honor, “The Chosin Few,” will be held at the Crown Plaza Riverwalk Hotel in downtown San Antonio, Texas. The hotel is located on the San Antonio River—the famous Riverwalk is one of the premiere visitors’ attractions in the city. The Riverwalk is filled with many restaurants and shops. You can travel the river in River taxis, or just walk the beautiful sidewalks and bridges. The room rate is $109.00 per day, plus tax. Additional information will be published when available. Members of the Chosin Few are Army and Marine survivors of the Korean War Battle at Chosin Reservoir in November-December 1950. | |
| September 6-9, 2012: The 93rd Reunion of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division will be held in Savannah, Georgia, at the De Soto hotel. With Ft. Stewart nearby, this will be a great reunion. Make your plans to attend now. Updates will be published as they become available. | |
| November 11, 2012: Veterans Day Ceremony Chateau-Thierry, France | |
| November 15, 2012: 95th 3rd ID Birthday celebration in Ft Myer Officer's Club with wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknowns and the 3rd ID monument and many 3rd ID fallen comrades in Arlington National Cemetery, VA | |
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December 6-9, 2012: Battle of the Colmar Pocket Historical Seminar in Sheraton Hotel, VA |
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The 2013 94th Society of the 3ID Reunion
is tentatively scheduled for Chicago, IL Dates to be announced soon |
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Vietnam War Virtual Wall This is link to a virtual wall of all those lost during the Vietnam War with the names, bio's and other information on our lost comrades. First, click on the link, then click on a state, when it opens click on a city or town, then click on a name. It should show you a picture of the person or at least his/her bio and medals. Everyone should know of someone whose name is on "The Wall". http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm |
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Click Here for
Ft. Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Website
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Society
Members Deaths
Condolences
3568 OP 60 FLOYD J. KRUSZKA
EVANS, GA
9FA/C WW2
SGT
4455 OP 35 THOMAS D. RUSH
HOUSTON, TX 7INF/F/AT
WW2 MAJ
4337 OP 12 EMIL G. REIDER
MESA, AZ 7INF/AT
WW2 PFC
3550 OP 5 ADAM KRADYNA VALLEY STREAM, NY
30INF/B WW2/Sept1942-Nov 1944
PFC
6251 OP 60 OSCAR L. HOLMES
COVINGTON, GA 15INF/
KOREA PFC 4738 OP 57 FOIEST WALDEN STORIE SPRINGBORO, OH 15INF/B KOREA/Oct52-Oct54 OP Harry CPL DOD - December 13, 2011 Reported January 16, 2012 by Ray Anderson
7953 OP 1 STANLEY F. SIEMRZUCH
WHEATON, IL 39FA/
WW2/Jul1940-Jun45 TSGT
5048 OP 17 KENNETH D. WHITTEAKER VALLEY PARK,
MO 15INF/F KOREA
CPL
5515 OP 2 PETER ROMAS
STAMFORD, CT 7INF/
KOREA/Feb51-Jul52 PFC |
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Click Here for
Complete List of Honorees
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Operation
Iraqi Freedom-1 |
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Operation
Iraqi Freedom-3 |
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OIF
2007 - 2011 3ID Active Duty Casualties |
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 Society 3ID Drinking Glass $12.99 |
 Outpost Harry Shot Glass $8.49 |
 Society of the 3ID Calendar Print $4.99 |
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If you don't see your insignia, email roster3id@warfoto.com to see if one
is available |
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Attention Cold War and Peace-Time Veterans
The Society of the 3rd Infantry Division needs you! We are
looking for former members of the Marne Association of the 3ID
to join the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division. This
organization was not a part of the Society and was
disbanded when the Division came back to the states in the
1990's. We would like to have you as members of the Society
where many of your former comrades are now members.
Go to http://www.warfoto.com/3IDmembform2006.pdf
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DISPLAY THE 3RD ID PATCH
PROUDLY & SUPPORT Inside Window
Decal with Society’s Emblem—2 ½ inches round, blue & white,
silk-screened, self-clinging, easy to remove.
Donations are
accepted and will go to our Scholarship Fund. Donors’ names will
be recognized in
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Standard Operating Procedures |
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Current
Constitution & By-Laws - |
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Marne Riders |
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Watch on the Rhine
Newsletter
Please send all
articles and other news for the Watch on The Rhine to
Lynn Ball as early as possible, and certainly, no later than
5th of the month preceding publication. Lynn’s
e-mail address is
ldball1@msn.com.
(Please note the numeral 1 just before the @ sign.)
Also, if you move
to a new address, please send your new address by the dates
listed above to
roster3id@warfoto.com.
Lynn’s mailing
address is 2010 Worcester Lane, Garland TX 75040-3331. |
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Scholarship News
- 2011
Call for Applications for Scholarship Grants
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The Oldest Continuous U. S. Army Division Association Since 1919 OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY
The Society
provides opportunities and facilities uniting past, present and
future members of the Third Infantry Division, U. S. Army, in a
national program dedicated to the preservation and maintenance
of the Third Infantry Division's traditions and history. |
