3rd Infantry Division Photographs-3rd Division & Society 2002-4

Calendar for 2009

August 10-23, 2009
65th Anniversary
Battlefield Tour
For the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division
Italy, France

Sept 16- 20, 2009
90th Annual Reunion
Society of the 3ID
Clarion Hotel
Springfield, MO
Near Branson, MO

All Rights Reserved
©Rich Heller
1997-2009

This is a photo of the Battalion officers and senior NCO's of 4-7 Infantry. This photo was taken in Saudi Arabia as we prepared to deploy back to Germany at the conclusion of Gulf War 1. 4-7 IN was part of 3rd Brigade. Our brigade had been attached to 1st Armor to replace their 1st Brigade. At the time I was XO of HHC. In the photo, I'm front row (kneeling) on the far right. Thanks for the great site. Chris DeWitt

History of Veterans Day Click Here	Veterans Day 2003 by Ray Anderson John Insani the "Do it all guy" of Outpost 7, hosted and invited me to the Third Infantry Div. annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. I attended with my wife, daughter and son. There were around 35+ in attendance and we had a few special guests on hand to assist us with the ceremonies.
We had four active duty soldiers that had just returned from Iraqi and well known TV reporter and commentator Ted Koppel and his Executive director in attendance.	Ted had accompanied the 3d. Squadron, 7th Calvary on their attack and occupation of Baghdad. He spent over two hours with our group and at John's invitation participated in both our wreath laying ceremonies. He was scheduled to do a special report on some our serious wounded that evening at Walter Reed.
	The Senior NCO of the Tomb of the Unknown Honor Guard was so impressed by the Third's turnout, he invited the group to a special tour of the guards quarters beneath the Cemetery Amphitheater. John Insani gave his usual fine memorial talk about the Third Inf. Div. achievements in all conflicts and recognized all in attendance.
Veterans, Who Do They Think They Are? November 21, 2003 By Laurel A. Olmsted Today I overheard a young man exclaim, "Veterans, who do they think they are?" Was he a protester carrying a sign? No. Was he someone who had been wronged by a Veteran? No. He simply had discovered that his mail might not be delivered on Veterans Day. Click here to read the entire article on 3rd Division Stories and News of Interest page. Contributed by Bill Strong


Operation Iraqi Freedom, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) Memorial Dedication
September 25, 2003	Marne Garden at Fort Stewart

Operation Iraqi Freedom Monument-Front and Back

Frontline Story and Marne Gardens	3ID Monument

3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) Commanding General Change of Command
Friday, September 26, 2003	Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart

Gen Webster assuming command	Gen. Webster and Jerry Cunningham
Jerry Cunningham and General Blount	General William Webster
Jerry Cunningham and Rich Heller on reviewing stand	Rocky in Marne Garden

Click Here to see more photos of Change of Command
President Bush Awards 3rd Infantry Division (M), the Presidential Unit Citation FORT STEWART, Ga. -- President George W. Bush visited the 3rd Inf. Div. at Fort Stewart, GA, this morning Friday, September 12th, 2003
US President George W. Bush (L) presents Major General Buford Blount (R), Commander, 3rd Infantry Division the Presidential Unit Citation at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. (AFP/Stephen Jaffe)	President Bush waves after offering his tribute to the soldiers of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division during a visit to Ft. Stewart, Ga., Friday, Sept. 12, 2003. The 3rd Infantry Division suffered more casualties than any other American military division in the Iraq invasion and Bush awarded them the Presidential Unit Citation for exceptional valor. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The president presented the Presidential Unit Citation — the highest award given to a military unit for exceptional valor — to the division that sent 16,500 troops to the Persian Gulf. More than 40 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry and affiliated units at Fort Stewart have died in the war. Members of the division served between six and 11 months in Iraq. The last of its troops returned home earlier this month. Bush presented the citation to Capt. Vern Tubbs, who wrote the president a letter from Iraq saying he saw firsthand the Iraqis people's desire for liberty. The experience of the 3rd Infantry, however, epitomizes Bush's frustration in stabilizing Iraq and bringing U.S. troops home. President Bush saluted the Army's 3rd Infantry that stormed Baghdad and ousted Saddam Hussein regime, telling the troops on Friday: "You made history. You made our nation proud." Thanks to DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer, the AP, and the Public Affairs Office at Fort Stewart, GA, for this story.
President George Bush reviewing 3rd Div. troops at Fort Stewart, GA

Staff Sgt. Jimmy Caldwell plays the part of the U.S. Army's most-decorated soldier in a ceremony Tuesday, May 16, 2000, unveiling the Postal Service's Audie Murphy stamp.

30th INFANTRY REGIMENTAL REUNION HELD AT FT. BENNING, GA by Carl Q. Topie Photos courtesy Carl Q. Topie and Bob Bailey click on photos for larger image
The headquarters hotel for the reunion was the Four Point Sheraton, Columbus, Georgia. TUESDAY, JUNE 25TH, 2002 Most of us arrived on Tuesday. In the evening, we all enjoyed supper at the Texas Roadhouse.	WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH, 2002 Passing in review during the Change of Command
We left the hotel at 7:30 a.m. by two army vans. In each of the vans there was an officer, a driver, and a soldier as escorts. At the entrance of Ft Benning, there was a long line of vehicles waiting to be checked by the MPs - we had to show them our IDs. We were taken to the Battalion Conference Room for a 30th Society by-laws meeting and had refreshments.
	Members of the 30th Inf. Reg. Society
We were then taken to the Red Cloud Range and saw a live fire/static display - four Bradley Fighting Vehicles and soldiers gave a demonstration of their weapons.

We all were given earplugs to wear and binoculars to look through. The men were then outfitted with a helmet and a flack jacket so that we could fire several of the weapons.
Carl Q. Topie with helmet and Flack Jacket waiting to go on the firing line.	We fired the machine guns, M16 rifles, and the 25mm shells from the cannon on the Bradley.
Bradley Fighting Vehicle with Crew	Presenting the Footsie Britt award (L-R) Col.(ret), Charles Murray (MOH), to Capt.Jody Shouse
At noon, we had lunch with the troops in the Gibson Dining Facilities. We got to talk to some of the soldiers. Most of them had just returned from a six-month tour of duty in Kosovo. After lunch, we were taken on a tour of the Fort Michell National Veterans' Cemetery in Alabama. In the evening, we attended the Regimental Society Dinner at the hotel. Along with our group, there were approximately 150 active Regimental soldiers.	Following the buffet supper, Lt. Colonel Audy R. Snodgrass, battalion commander, gave a short speech and showed a video on our soldiers in Kosovo. CSM James G. McDonough (Retired), president of Outpost #60, was the guest speaker. To close the evening, we all sang "Dogface Soldier" and the "Army Song".
THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH, 2002
Maj. Gen Buford C. Blount, Commanding General 3rd ID (Mech) presenting a plaque to Lt. Col. Andy R. Snodgrass, 1st Battalion, 30th Inf. Reg.
1st Battalion, 30th Inf. Reg
In the morning, we were taken to Essebagger Field for the Regimental Awards Ceremony. Lt. Colonel Audy R. Snodgrass welcomed us. Remarks were made by Colonel Charles P. Murray (Retired), Medal of Honor recipient. The "Footsie" Britt Award was presented along with the Honorary Colonel and CSM Induction Ceremony. Once again, we had lunch at the Gibson Dining Facilities. In the afternoon, our two vans and a busload of soldiers traveled to see the National Prisoner of War Memorial Museum at Andersonville, Ga. It was a Confederate Prisoners of War Camp for captured Union soldiers during the Civil War. In the evening, we had supper at Chef Lee's Peking Restaurant.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH, 2002 We were taken to Essebagger Field for the Battalion Change of Command Ceremony. The outgoing commander was Lt. Colonel Audy R. Snodgrass and the incoming commander was Lt. Colonel Wesley Gillman. The Third Infantry Band from Ft. Steward was there to perform.
(L) Members of 30th Inf. Reg. Society at the Change of Command	(R) Addison Farrell Presenting Footsie Britt award to Lt. Col. Andy Snodgrass with Col. (ret) Chas. Murray
The troops were inspected, the change of command took place, and the troops passed in review. Very impressive. Once again, we all sang the "Dogface Soldier" and the "Army Song". Following the ceremony, we met with the families of the present and past battalion commanders and were treated to refreshments.
"OUR COUNTRY NOT OURSELVES"

The 3rd Infantry Division Monument at the Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery February 16, 2002 (Click on small photos for larger image)
OP 22 President, Andy Scullion addresses members and guests during the dedication, 2/16/02, of the newly placed 3rd Infantry Division Monument at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.	The 3rd Infantry Division Monument at the Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.The Monument overlooks San Diego Harbor to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West.
Plaque affixed to the top of the new 3rd Infantry Division Monument at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. The Monument was placed in the name of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division by the Albert Miceli OP 22, Southern California and dedicated 2/16/02 (Photos contributed by Jim Jarboe)

83rd Reunion Photos
Buffalo, New York
September 2002
(Click on small photos for larger view)

Jerry Cunningham, retiring President of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division and Jerry Manley,
newly elected President of the Society share the podium at the annual business meeting of the Society in Buffalo NY.

Newly elected Society President, Jerry Manley (Center), is seen with our two guest speakers, Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney(L)
and Col. Louis W. Weber, Assistant Division Commander (Support) of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mech)

3rd Infantry Division Soldier of the Year, Sgt. Cort Anderson (L and NCO of the year Sgt. Reuben Herrera (R) flank
Society Member Dale McGraw, who received the Audie Murphy Achievement Award.

Over 400 members and guests attend the Memorial Breakfast

Members and guests attend the pre banquet reception at the 83rd reunion of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, Buffalo NY.
Photos by Jim Jarboe

Dale Marker and French Re-enactors
at Buffalo Reunion

(L-R) Jerry Cunningham President, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division,
Major General Walter Sharp, Commander, 3rd Infantry Division,
Martin Markley, Immediate past President, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division

Frontline Story of 2002 Reunion in Buffalo New York

83rd Reunion Photos
Buffalo, New York
September 2002
83rd Reunion Photos

84th Reunion Photos
St. Louis, Missouri
September 2003
84th Reunion Photos

85th Reunion Photos
Savannah, Georgia
August 2004
85th Reunion Photos

86th Reunion Photos
San Diego, California
September 2005
86th Reunion Photos

86th Reunion Photos
Nashville, TN
September 2006
87th Reunion Photos

88th Reunion Photos
Colorado Springs, CO
September 2007
88th Annual Reunion

Former 3/15 soldier speaks at Infantry Ball
Pfc. Whitney Mullen, a World War II veteran, checks out the inside of a 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Bradley Fighting Vehicle during his tour with the unit. Mullen, who was a member of 3/15 in 1945, spoke at the 3/15 Infantry Ball. Joe Englert's License plates designed by his son