bravest of the brave: The 3rd Infantry Division in World War II, The

Army, Nov 2003 by Broadwater, Robert P

The annals of the United States military in World War II are filled with acts of heroism that give evidence to the highest levels of patriotism, courage, honor and self-sacrifice. Units and individuals left to future generations a legacy that will always shine as an example of what free men can and will do when called upon to defend the rights they hold so dear. With so many acts of bravery, in so many places, one cannot presume to pronounce any military organization to have been any braver, or more heroic than another, but when measured in terms of recorded instances of valor, the 3rd Infantry Division stands alone. The division's stellar performance in Operation Iraqi Freedom has brought it again into prominence and reminds us of its heritage.

During the four years that America fought in World War II, there were a total of 440 Medals of Honor presented to members of the nation's military. Members of the Army took the lion's share of these, with 301 medals. Members of the 3rd Infantry Division won a total of 36 Medals of Honor, or approximately 12 percent of the total number awarded to the Army. The next closest contender was the 1st Infantry Division, with a total of 16, and two other divisions with 10 or more. In addition, 71 members of the division were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal awarded by the Army for bravery. The sheer disparity in numbers between the 3rd Division and the rest of the Army is impressive. The individual stories that go along with those numbers reinforce the 3rd Infantry Division's reputation as the bravest of the brave.

The 3rd Division was mobilized early in 1941 when the President declared a state of emergency. The task of bringing it up to full strength was taken to a fever pitch after Pearl Harbor.

By July 1942, the division had been recruited, the men trained and orders had been received for the 3rd to make ready to go to war. It was to take part in Operation Torch, the American invasion of North Africa.

Operation Torch was intended to gain a foothold in French North Africa, from which offensive operations could be launched against continental Europe. American troops were to be landed at three points: Casablanca in Morocco, and Oran and Algiers in Algeria. The 3rd Division was entrusted with the capture of Casablanca. The soldiers embarked on transport ships in the United States and sailed directly to Morocco.

The landing was successfully accomplished on November 8, 1942, and after the Vichy French forces recovered from their initial surprise, three days of hard fighting ensued before they capitulated. In fact, when the French surrendered, they joined forces with the Americans. Casablanca had been a key objective. Its possession by the Allies ensured that military operations in North Africa could proceed without fear that the Straits of Gibraltar would be sealed off, denying naval access to the Mediterranean.

The division next moved east, in support of the British assault on Tunisia. The British forces were attacking the Mareth Line in Tunisia from two directions: west from Egypt and east from Algiers. The Mareth Line was a fortified position in Tunisia that had been built by the French, but was now being occupied by German and Italian troops. A strong position and well defended, it proved too formidable for the British to take, so Allied forces established a defensive position in the Tunisian mountains while they waited for reinforcements to arrive. It was during this time that Rommel resumed the offensive, attacking the Americans at Kasserine Pass and punching a hole in the Allied line. The German drive stalled, however, when it could not be reinforced, and a strong British force in its front caused the attacking column to call off the offensive and return to the Mareth Line. Allied forces kept up the pressure on the Germans and Italians, and on May 10, 1943, the Mareth Line fell and the Allies had complete control of North Africa.

There was little time for the men of the 3rd Division to rest at the end of the North African, campaign. Orders were issued almost immediately to prepare for the invasion of Sicily, and the division made ready for its second amphibious operation of the war. Sicily would be the first step in the invasion of Europe, and it would also be the first place where members of the 3rd Division would display the conspicuous bravery that would be recognized with the Medal of Honor.

The landing took place on the morning of July 10, 1943, under terrible conditions caused by gale force winds and rough seas. Light opposition was encountered on the beaches as the 3rd Division stormed ashore, and the immediate objectives were quickly taken. The Allies consolidated their beachhead positions and prepared to move inland. The 3rd Division was operating as part of Gen. George S. Patton's 7th Army.

Patton's orders were to drive westward against Agriento, while the British, under Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, were to advance north, along the coast road toward Messina. Patton, however, had other ideas. He captured Agriento, then thrust his army north and west to capture Palermo. From there, he shifted due east, in a race to beat Montgomery to Messina and to cut off the route of retreat for the German and Italian armies. During this eastern thrust, the 3rd Division was called upon to make two amphibious landings, as Patton kept the Germans running by throwing large forces in their rear as he hammered at their front.