3rd Bn 8th Inf Ivy Dragoons

• Origins in the 19th Century: The 8th Infantry Regiment, of which 3rd Battalion is a part, was constituted on July 5, 1838, and has served in every major American conflict since. • Nickname "Ivy Dragoons": The battalion’s nickname combines the 4th Infantry Division’s "Ivy" moniker (from the Roman numeral IV) with "Dragoons," referencing mounted infantry—signifying both heritage and versatility. • Civil War Service: The regiment fought in dozens of major Civil War battles, including Antietam and Gettysburg, earning a reputation for tenacious fighting. • World War II Valor: As part of the 4th Infantry Division, the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and played a crucial role in liberating France. • Vietnam War Operations: The battalion deployed to Vietnam in 1966, conducting numerous search-and-destroy missions and counterinsurgency operations in the Central Highlands. • Presidential Unit Citations: The 8th Infantry Regiment has received multiple Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action. • Cold War Defender: Stationed in West Germany for decades, the battalion guarded NATO’s front lines during the Cold War, often training alongside allied forces. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry deployed multiple times to Iraq, including operations in Fallujah and Baghdad, undertaking both combat and stabilization missions. • Notable Alumni: Several Medal of Honor recipients have served in the 8th Infantry Regiment, including 3rd Battalion soldiers recognized for acts of heroism in both WWII and Vietnam. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion’s crest features a silver cross and a dragoon’s saber, symbolizing courage and the unit’s proud mounted heritage.