In World War II, it landed with General Patton's task force in a contested amphibious landing on the coast of Morocco, North Africa, overwhelming Vichy French defenders in November 1942. In 1943, the division invaded Sicily in July, and invaded Italy at Salerno in September, before fighting in France and finally Germany.

History Of The Third Infantry Division In World War II by United States. Army. 3rd Division; Taggart, Donald G. (Donald Gilbert)

As one of the first five U.S. divisions to enter the European war in November 1942, the 3rd Division was active for 30 months — logging 553 days in combat. The division assaulted four beachheads, suffered 25,977 battle casualties and honored 39 of its own with the Medal of Honor.

This campaign map shows the route of the 3rd Infantry Division throughout North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany during World War II. This chart is available for purchase at HistoryShots.com.

Its participation in three major battles in 1918 is symbolized by the three diagonal stripes of its shoulder patch. The “Fighting Third” is the only American division which fought the Nazis on every front in this war—North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.

The 3rd Infantry Division is one of the few American divisions that fought the Axis on all European fronts during World War II. It fought in 531 consecutive days of combat action, participated in four amphibious assault landings, suffered 4,922 killed in action, and 18,766 wounded.

The 3rd Division (later re-designated as the 3rd Infantry division on August 1, 1942) was organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina, November 21, 1917. The division was composed of the 4th, 7th, 30th, and 38th Infantry Regiments, the 10th, 18th, and 76th FA Regiments, and the 6th Engineer Regiment, with a total of 28,000 men.

During World War II, the division fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Austria for 531 consecutive days of combat. [4] The division first saw action as a part of the Western Task Force in the invasion of North African, landing at Fedala on 8 November 1942, and captured half of French Morocco.

The 3rd Infantry Division remained rock solid and earned its reputation as the “Rock of the Marne”. During World War II the 3rd Infantry Division fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Austria for 531 consecutive days of combat. 3rd Infantry Division soldiers earned 36 Medals of Honor during World War II.

Redesignated 1 August 1942, the 3rd Division is the only American Division which fought the Axis on all European fronts. The Division first saw action in the North African invasion, landing at Fedala, November 8, 1942, and capturing half of French Morocco.