B co 3:5 CAV, 3rd Armored Div

• Unit Lineage: B Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment traces its origins to the 5th Cavalry Regiment, established in 1855. The 3/5 CAV became part of the 3rd Armored Division during the Cold War era. • Cold War Service: B Co 3/5 CAV was stationed in West Germany as part of NATO’s forward defense during the Cold War, tasked with deterring Soviet aggression. • Operation Desert Storm: The unit participated in Operation Desert Storm (1991), serving as a reconnaissance and armored force during the liberation of Kuwait. • Fulda Gap Defense: B Co 3/5 CAV was positioned near the Fulda Gap, a strategic corridor expected to be a main route for a Soviet attack into Western Europe. • Distinctive Insignia: The 5th Cavalry Regiment is known for its crossed sabers insignia and the regimental motto "Loyalty and Courage." • Combined Arms Operations: As part of the 3rd Armored Division, B Co 3/5 CAV often trained with tanks, infantry, and artillery in large-scale maneuvers, perfecting rapid armored assaults and reconnaissance. • Berlin Crisis Response: During the Berlin crisis of 1961, 3rd Armored Division units, including B Co 3/5 CAV, were placed on high alert, ready to move east if conflict broke out. • Modernization: In the 1980s, B Co 3/5 CAV transitioned from M60 tanks to the more advanced M1 Abrams, significantly increasing their firepower and survivability. • Strong Community Bonds: The unit fostered close ties with local German communities, participating in joint events and fostering NATO solidarity. • Deactivation and Legacy: With the end of the Cold War, 3rd Armored Division was inactivated in 1992. However, B Co 3/5 CAV’s traditions and honors continue in other active elements of the 5th Cavalry Regiment.