The 3rd Infantry Division monument
was approved by President George Bush on 29
September 1988 in Public Law 100-456. The memorial is located
on the right (north) side of the curved part of Memorial Drive
near theCanadian
Crossand theChallenger memorial. The nine-ton gray obelisk
is several feet behind its roadside marker. The bronze and
stone marker lists battles fought by the 3rd Infantry. Two
typographical errors on the markers: World War 1, and 11
instead of I and II. Famed World War II Medal of Honor recipient
Major Audie Murphy of the 3rd Infantry is buried along the flagstone
walkway in section 46 of the left (south) side the curved part
of Memorial Drive. 3rd Infantry veterans including General
Lloyd Ramsay, U.S. Army (retired) place a wreath there each Memorial
Day and Veterans Day after their Army Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb
of the Unknowns. Murphy's friend Carl Swickerath periodically
visits to make sure the area around the monument, Murphy's grave,
and Mrs. Swickerath's grave are kept neat. It is unknown
who keeps the small U.S. flag placed at Murphy's government headstone.
THIRD INFANTRY DIVISION U.S. ARMY
"ROCK OF THE MARNE"
THE 3RD DIVISION WAS
ORGANIZED AT CAMP GREENE, NORTH CAROLINA, ON 23 NOVEMBER 1917.
ALL UNITS OF THE DIVISION WERE IN FRANCE BY MARCH 1918. THE
DIVISION ENTERED COMBAT IN MAY. ON JULY 15 IT DISTINGUISHED
ITSELF IN DEFENSE OF THE MARNE RIVER AT CHATEAU-THIERRY, FORTY-FIVE
MILES NORTHEAST OF PARIS. THIS ACTIONS EARNED THE DIVISION THE
PROUD MOTTO, "ROCK OF THE MARNE".
THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION FOUGHT WITH DISTINCTION
IN WORLD WAR II, PARTICIPATING IN FOUR AMPHIBIOUS LANDINGS IN NORTH
AFRICA, SICILY, ITALY, AND FRANCE. THE DIVISION PLAYED A CRUCIAL
ROLE IN THE DEFENSE OF SOUTH KOREA. IT RETURNED TO GERMANY IN
1957 AS PART OF THE NATO DEFENSE FORCE AND WAS THERE WHEN THE 3RD
DIVISION MEMORIAL WAS DEDICATED ON AUGUST 15, 1990.
