ABOUT 3:39th Infantry
- Origins and WWII Service: The 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment was constituted on 15 May 1917 and organized at Camp Syracuse, New York. It later served with distinction during World War II as part of the 9th Infantry Division.
- North African Campaign: The 3/39th Infantry landed in North Africa in November 1942, participating in the Allied invasion of French North Africa (Operation Torch).
- Sicily and European Theater: The battalion fought in Sicily, then landed on Utah Beach during D-Day plus 4 (June 10, 1944), pushing through France, Belgium, and into Germany.
- Battle Honors: The 3/39th earned campaign credits for eight different campaigns in WWII, including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.
- Vietnam War Service: Reactivated for Vietnam, the battalion arrived in country in December 1966 and fought in the Mekong Delta, earning a reputation for aggressive patrolling and riverine operations.
- Operation CORONADO: 3/39th Infantry participated in the large-scale Operation CORONADO series, working closely with the Mobile Riverine Force in the challenging terrain of the Mekong Delta.
- Medal of Honor Recipients: Several members of the 39th Infantry Regiment, including those from the 3rd Battalion, have been awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in combat.
- Motto: The regiment’s motto is “AAA-O,” which stands for “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere – Bar Nothing,” reflecting their readiness and fighting spirit.
- Post-Vietnam Legacy: After Vietnam, the battalion went through several periods of inactivation and reactivation, most recently serving as a training battalion at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
- Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 39th Infantry’s insignia features a blue shield and a white falcon’s head, symbolizing vigilance and swiftness—qualities exemplified by 3/39th Infantry throughout its history.