About this Unit
The 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2/3rd ACR) is a distinguished cavalry unit of the United States Army with a storied history of reconnaissance and armored warfare. Activated in the early 20th century, the squadron has participated in major conflicts including World War II, the Gulf War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, often serving at the forefront of combat operations. Renowned for its expertise in mounted maneuver and intelligence gathering, 2/3rd ACR has earned multiple commendations for valor and service. Today, it continues to uphold its legacy as a versatile and highly trained reconnaissance force within the U.S. Army's modern cavalry units.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Lineage: The 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2/3 ACR) traces its roots back to the formation of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment in 1846, which served in the Mexican-American War and has since participated in nearly every major American conflict.
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Motto: The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's motto is "Brave Rifles!"—a phrase originally coined by General Winfield Scott during the Mexican-American War to honor the regiment's bravery at the Battle of Contreras.
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Indian Wars & Frontier Duty: In the late 19th century, elements of the regiment, including what would become 2/3 ACR, were involved in frontier duty, fighting in the Indian Wars and protecting settlers in the American West.
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World War II Service: During World War II, the regiment was reorganized as the 3rd Cavalry Group, Mechanized, and fought through France, Luxembourg, and Germany, earning campaign streamers for its actions in Europe.
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Cold War Deployments: The 2/3 ACR spent much of the Cold War stationed in Germany, serving as a forward-deployed unit tasked with reconnaissance and security missions along the Iron Curtain.
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Operation Desert Storm: The 2/3 ACR played a key role in the 1991 Gulf War, conducting screening and reconnaissance missions that helped locate and fix Iraqi forces ahead of the Coalition’s main attack.
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Iraq War Heroism: In Operation Iraqi Freedom, the squadron was instrumental in the fight for control of Tal Afar in 2005, working with local forces and earning praise for innovative counterinsurgency tactics.
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Regimental Structure: Traditionally, the 2nd Squadron is known as the "Sabre Squadron" and is composed of cavalry troops equipped with armored vehicles and reconnaissance elements.
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Decorations: The 3rd ACR, including 2nd Squadron, has earned numerous unit citations and awards, including Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards, and French Croix de Guerre for WWII service.
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Traditions and Legacy: Members of 2/3 ACR are known as "Brave Rifles," maintaining unique regimental traditions such as the Spur Ride and Stetson wear, linking today’s troopers to their mounted cavalry heritage.
