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ABOUT 3rd Army Headquarters Fort McPherson, GA
- Historic Activation: The Third United States Army, known as "3rd Army," was activated on November 7, 1918, in Chaumont, France, shortly before the end of World War I.
- Patton’s Command: During World War II, the Third Army became famous under the leadership of General George S. Patton, Jr., spearheading the rapid Allied advance across France and Germany after D-Day.
- Fort McPherson Headquarters: From 1973 until its closure in 2011, Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia, served as the home of the Third Army Headquarters, providing strategic command and control.
- Operation Desert Storm: The Third Army, as U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT), played a critical role in commanding ground forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
- Nickname "Patton’s Own": The unit is affectionately known as "Patton’s Own," honoring the legacy of its most famous commander.
- Red Ball Express: During WWII, the 3rd Army depended on the Red Ball Express, a massive truck convoy operation, to supply fuel and ammunition as it raced across France.
- Post-WWII Occupation: After the defeat of Nazi Germany, Third Army was responsible for occupying large areas of southern Germany, maintaining order, and overseeing denazification.
- Symbolic Insignia: The Third Army’s shoulder patch features a white “A” on a blue circular background, symbolizing the "Army of the United States."
- Humanitarian Missions: While headquartered at Fort McPherson, the 3rd Army/ARCENT also coordinated humanitarian and disaster relief operations, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
- BRAC and Relocation: As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, the headquarters moved from Fort McPherson to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, in 2011, ending nearly 40 years at the Georgia installation.