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History of 3RD ARMY HEADQUARTERS

The 3rd Army Headquarters, also known as Third United States Army, was first activated in November 1918 in France during World War I, serving as part of the American occupation force in Germany. Reactivated in 1932, it gained fame under the command of General George S. Patton during World War II, leading rapid advances across France and Germany following the Normandy invasion. The 3rd Army played a crucial role in the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and contributed significantly to the Allied victory in Europe. After World War II, the unit continued to serve in various capacities, primarily as a training and support command in the United States.

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ABOUT 3RD ARMY HEADQUARTERS

  • Patton’s Command: The 3rd Army is most famously associated with General George S. Patton, who took command in August 1944 and led the unit with aggressive tactics across France and Germany during World War II.
  • Rapid Advance Across France: Under Patton, the 3rd Army advanced 600 miles across France in just a few weeks after the breakout from Normandy, liberating thousands of square miles from German control.
  • Relief of Bastogne: In December 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, the 3rd Army executed a rapid pivot north to relieve the besieged 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium—a maneuver considered one of the greatest in U.S. military history.
  • “Lucky Forward” Headquarters: The 3rd Army’s mobile headquarters was nicknamed “Lucky Forward,” reflecting Patton’s own nickname, “Old Blood and Guts.” This mobile HQ allowed for rapid command and control as forces advanced.
  • Prisoners and Captures: During its WWII campaign, the 3rd Army captured over 1.2 million enemy soldiers and liberated more than 80,000 square miles of territory.
  • Ghost Army Deception: The 3rd Army benefited from the efforts of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (“Ghost Army”), which used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and fake radio traffic to deceive German forces about the Army’s size and location.
  • Crossing the Rhine: The 3rd Army played a pivotal role in crossing the Rhine River in March 1945, facilitating the final push into Nazi Germany.
  • Post-War Role: After WWII, the 3rd Army was reorganized and played a key role in occupation duties in Germany and Austria, helping to stabilize Europe after the conflict.
  • Modern Legacy: Today, the lineage of the 3rd Army is carried on by U.S. Army Central, which manages American Army operations in the Middle East and Central Asia from its headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
  • Motto and Patch: The 3rd Army’s motto is “Third Always First.” Its shoulder sleeve insignia, a white “A” on a blue and red circle, is one of the most recognizable Army patches in history.

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