The United States Army Central, formerly the Third United States Army, commonly referred to as the Third Army and as ARCENT, is a military formation of the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
which saw service in
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, in the
1991 Gulf War
The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...
, and in the
coalition occupation of Iraq. It is best known for its campaigns in World War II under the command of General
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a general in the United States Army who commanded the Seventh United States Army in the Mediterranean Theater of World War II, and the Third United States Army in France ...
.
Third Army is headquartered at
Shaw Air Force Base
Shaw Air Force Base (Shaw AFB) is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately west-northwest of downtown Sumter, South Carolina. It is one of the largest military bases operated by the United States, and is under the jurisdict ...
, South Carolina with a forward element at
Camp Arifjan
Camp Arifjan is a United States Army installation in Kuwait which accommodates elements of the United States Air Force, US Air Force, United States Navy, US Navy, United States Marine Corps, US Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, US Coast ...
,
Kuwait
Kuwait (; ar, الكويت ', or ), officially the State of Kuwait ( ar, دولة الكويت '), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the nort ...
. It serves as the
echelon above corps Echelons above corps (EAC), in US and NATO practice, refer to higher headquarters, of purpose-built organization, which involve a greater number of troops than would be in an army corps. They may be standing organizations with a regional responsibil ...
for the Army component of
CENTCOM
The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM or CENTCOM) is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the U.S. Department of Defense. It was established in 1983, taking over the previous responsibilities of the Rapid Deployment Joint Tas ...
, US Central Command, whose
area of responsibility
Area of responsibility (AOR) is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan (UCP), that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and cond ...
(AOR) includes
Southwest Asia
Western Asia, West Asia, or Southwest Asia, is the westernmost subregion of the larger geographical region of Asia, as defined by some academics, UN bodies and other institutions. It is almost entirely a part of the Middle East, and includes Anat ...
, some 20 countries of the world, in Africa, Asia, and the Persian Gulf.
Activation and World War I
The Third United States Army was first activated as a formation during the First World War on 7 November 1918, at
Chaumont, France, when the General Headquarters of the
American Expeditionary Forces
The American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.) was a formation of the United States Army on the Western Front of World War I. The A. E. F. was established on July 5, 1917, in France under the command of General John J. Pershing. It fought alon ...
(AEF) issued General Order 198 organizing the Third Army and announcing its headquarters staff. On the 15th, four days after the
Armistice with Germany
The Armistice of 11 November 1918 was the armistice signed at Le Francport near Compiègne that ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Entente and their last remaining opponent, Germany. Previous armistices ...
, Major General
Joseph T. Dickman
Joseph Theodore Dickman (October 6, 1857 – October 23, 1927) was a United States Army officer who saw service in five wars, rising to the rank of Major general (United States), major general.
Early life
Dickman was born in Dayton, Ohio. He atte ...
assumed command and issued Third Army General Order No. 1. The Third Army consisted of three corps (
III, Maj. Gen.
John L. Hines;
IV, Maj. Gen.
Charles Henry Muir
Major General Charles Henry Muir (July 18, 1860 – December 8, 1933) was a United States Army officer.
During the final year of World War I, he commanded the 28th Division throughout most of its service on the Western Front. Previously, he ser ...
; and
VII VII or vii may refer to: the Roman numeral 7
Art and entertainment
* The Vii, a video game console
* vii, leading-tone triad, see diminished triad
* ''VII'' (Blitzen Trapper album)
* ''VII'' (Just-Ice album)
* ''VII'' (Teyana Taylor album)
* ...
, Maj. Gen.
William G. Haan
Major general (United States), Major General William George Haan (October 4, 1863 – October 26, 1924) was a senior United States Army Officer (armed forces), officer. He commanded the 32nd Infantry Division (United States), 32nd Division during ...
) and seven divisions.
First mission
On 15 November 1918, Major General Dickman was given the mission to move quickly and by any means into Central Germany on occupation duties. He was to disarm and disband German forces as ordered by General
John J. Pershing, commander of the AEF.
The march into Germany for occupation duty was begun on 17 November 1918. By 15 December the Third Army Headquarters at
Mayen
Mayen is a town in the Mayen-Koblenz District of the Rhineland-Palatinate Federal State of Germany, in the eastern part of the Volcanic Eifel Region. As well as the main town, additional settlements include Alzheim, Kürrenberg, Hausen-Betzing, ...
opened at
Coblenz
Koblenz (; Moselle Franconian: ''Kowelenz''), spelled Coblenz before 1926, is a German city on the banks of the Rhine and the Moselle, a multi-nation tributary.
Koblenz was established as a Roman military post by Drusus around 8 B.C. Its name ...
. Two days later, on 17 December 1918, the Coblenz bridgehead, consisting of a pontoon bridge and three railroad bridges across the Rhine, had been established.
Third Army troops had encountered no hostile act of any sort. In the occupied area, both food and coal supplies were sufficient. The crossing of the Rhine by the front line divisions was effected in good time and without confusion. Troops, upon crossing the Rhine and reaching their assigned areas, were billeted preparatory to occupying selected positions for defense. The strength of the Third Army as of 19 December, the date the bridgehead occupation was completed, was 9,638 officers and 221,070 enlisted men.
Third Army advance
On 12 December, Field Order No. 11 issued, directed the Third Army to occupy the northern sector of the Coblenz bridgehead, with the advance elements to cross the
Rhine river
), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source1_coordinates=
, source1_elevation =
, source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein
, source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland
, source2_coordinates=
, sourc ...
at seven o'clock, 13 December. The northern (left) boundary remained unchanged. The southern (right) boundary was as has been previously mentioned.
Before the advance, the 1st Division passed to the command of the III Corps. With three divisions, the 1st, 2d, and 32d, the III Corps occupied the American sector of the Coblenz bridgehead, the movement of the troops into position beginning at the scheduled hour, 13 December. The four bridges available for crossing the river within the Coblenz bridgehead were the pontoon bridge and railroad bridge at Coblenz, the railroad bridges at
Engers
Engers is a district of Neuwied on the right banks of the river Rhine in Germany located next to Koblenz in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Engers has 5,367 inhabitants. It is highwater-endangered by its direct contact with the river Rhine.
City history ...
and
Remagen
Remagen ( ) is a town in Germany in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, in the district of Ahrweiler. It is about a one-hour drive from Cologne, just south of Bonn, the former West German capital. It is situated on the left (western) bank of the ...
. On 13 December the advance began with the American khaki crossing the Rhine into advanced positions. On the same day the
42d Division passed to the command of the
IV Corps, which, in support of the III Corps, continued its march to occupy the
Kreise of
Mayen
Mayen is a town in the Mayen-Koblenz District of the Rhineland-Palatinate Federal State of Germany, in the eastern part of the Volcanic Eifel Region. As well as the main town, additional settlements include Alzheim, Kürrenberg, Hausen-Betzing, ...
,
Ahrweiler
Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler () is a spa town in the German Bundesland of Rhineland-Palatinate that serves as the capital of the Ahrweiler district. The A61 motorway connects the town with cities like Cologne and Mainz. Formed by the merging of the ...
,
Adenau
Adenau () is a town in the High Eifel in Germany. It is known as the ''Johanniterstadt'' because the Order of Saint John was based there in the Middle Ages. The town's coat of arms combines the black cross of the Electorate of Cologne with the l ...
, and
Cochem
Cochem is the seat of and the biggest town in the Cochem-Zell district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. With just over 5,000 inhabitants, Cochem falls just behind Kusel, in the Kusel district, as Germany's second smallest district seat. Since 7 J ...
.
The VII Corps occupied under the same order that portion of the
Regierungsbezirk
A ' () means "governmental district" and is a type of administrative division in Germany. Four of sixteen ' ( states of Germany) are split into '. Beneath these are rural and urban districts.
Saxony has ' (directorate districts) with more res ...
of
Trier
Trier ( , ; lb, Tréier ), formerly known in English as Trèves ( ;) and Triers (see also names in other languages), is a city on the banks of the Moselle in Germany. It lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of red sandstone in the ...
within army limits.
On 15 December, Third Army Headquarters at
Mayen
Mayen is a town in the Mayen-Koblenz District of the Rhineland-Palatinate Federal State of Germany, in the eastern part of the Volcanic Eifel Region. As well as the main town, additional settlements include Alzheim, Kürrenberg, Hausen-Betzing, ...
opened at Coblenz: III Corps Headquarters at Polch opened at Neuwied and IV Corps Headquarters remained at Cochem, with the VII Corps at
Grevenmacher
Grevenmacher (; ) is a commune with town status in eastern Luxembourg, near the border with Germany. It gives its name to and is the capital of the canton of Grevenmacher, and, until its abolition in 2015, the district of Grevenmacher. The town ...
. In crossing the Rhine on the shortened front—from
Rolandseck to
Rhens
Rhens is a municipality in the district Mayen-Koblenz, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the left bank of the Rhine, approx. 10 km south of Koblenz.
Rhens was the seat of the former ''Verbandsgemeinde'' ("collective munici ...
on the west bank—the Third Army encountered no hostile act of any sort. In the occupied area both food and coal supplies were sufficient.
By the night of 14 December, Third Army troops had occupied their positions on the perimeter of the Coblenz bridgehead.
Army of Occupation
During January 1919, the Third Army was engaged in training and preparing the troops under its command for any contingency. A letter of instruction was circulated to lower commanders prescribing a plan of action in case hostilities were resumed. Installations were set up throughout the Army area to facilitate command.
In February, military schools were opened through the Third Army area; a quartermaster depot was organized; 2,000 officers and enlisted men left to take courses in British and French universities; better leave facilities were created; and plans for sending American divisions to the United States were made. On 4 February, the military control of the Stadtkreis of Trier was transferred from GHQ to the Third Army.
In March, routine duties of occupation and training were carried on; an Army
horse show
A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer fo ...
was held; Army, corps, and divisional educational centers were established in the Third Army Zone; the Coblenz port commander took over the duties of the Coblenz regulating officer; and the 42d Division was released from IV Corps and was placed in Army Reserve.
In April, the exodus of American divisions from Third Army to the United States began. During the month, motor transport parks were established; an Army
motor show
An auto show, also known as a motor show or car show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is attended by automotive industry representatives, dealers, auto journalists a ...
was held; the Army area was reorganized; and the centralization of military property was initiated in anticipation of returning it to the United States. On 20 April 1919, Third Army command changed from Maj. Gen. Dickman to Lt. Gen.
Hunter Liggett
Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett (March 21, 1857 − December 30, 1935) was a senior United States Army officer. His 42 years of military service spanned the period from the Indian campaigns to the trench warfare of World War I. Additionally, h ...
.
Prepare to advance
On 14 May 1919, Marshal
Ferdinand Foch
Ferdinand Foch ( , ; 2 October 1851 – 20 March 1929) was a French general and military theorist who served as the Supreme Allied Commander during the First World War. An aggressive, even reckless commander at the First Marne, Flanders and Art ...
, General-in-Chief of the Allied Armies, submitted plans of operations to the Third Army commander to be used in the event that Germany should refuse to sign the peace treaty. On 20 May, Marshal Foch directed allied commanders to dispatch troops toward
Weimar
Weimar is a city in the state of Thuringia, Germany. It is located in Central Germany between Erfurt in the west and Jena in the east, approximately southwest of Leipzig, north of Nuremberg and west of Dresden. Together with the neighbouri ...
and Berlin in the event the peace treaty was not signed. On 22 May, the Third Army issued its plan of advance, effective 30 May, in view of the impending emergency. On 27 May, Foch informed Pershing that the Supreme War Council desired allied armies be made ready immediately to resume active operations against the Germans.
On 1 June, the advance GHQ, AEF, at Trier was discontinued. On 16 June, Foch notified Pershing that allied armies must be ready after 20 June to resume offensive operations and that preliminary movements were to begin 17 June. On 19 June, Pershing notified Foch that beginning 23 June the Third Army would occupy the towns of Limburg, Westerburg, Hachenburg, and Altenkirchen, and that III Corps would seize the railroad connecting these towns. On 23 June, the Germans signified their intention to sign the peace treaty and contemplated operations were suspended. On 30 June, Foch and Pershing conferred about the American troops to be left on the Rhine.
A separate peace
On 1 July, General Pershing notified the War Department that upon Germany's compliance with military conditions imposed upon her (probably within three months after German ratification of the treaty), the American forces in Europe would be reduced to a single regiment of infantry supplemented by necessary auxiliaries. Accordingly, the Third Army was disbanded on 2 July 1919. Its headquarters and all personnel (numbering about 6,800 men) and units under it were thereafter designated
American Forces in Germany
The United States Army Central, formerly the Third United States Army, commonly referred to as the Third Army and as ARCENT, is a military formation of the United States Army which saw service in World War I and World War II, in the 1991 Gulf Wa ...
. This force would remain in Germany for over three years. This was due, at least in part, to the fact that the United States, having rejected the Treaty of Versailles, was therefore still "
de jure
In law and government, ''de jure'' ( ; , "by law") describes practices that are legally recognized, regardless of whether the practice exists in reality. In contrast, ("in fact") describes situations that exist in reality, even if not legally ...
" at war with Germany. This situation remained unresolved until the summer of 1921 when a separate
peace treaty was signed.
Reactivation and the interwar period
Third Army (I)
On 15 October 1921, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third Army, was constituted in the
Organized Reserve
The United States Army Reserve (USAR) is a reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the Army element of the reserve components of the United States Armed Forces.
Since July 2020 ...
as one of six field armies to control the units of the U.S. Army that were stationed on home soil. The Headquarters was initiated on 25 February 1922 in
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest cit ...
, while the Headquarters Company was initiated in April 1924 in
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...
; the Headquarters Company was concurrently relocated to Omaha. On 18 August 1933, the Headquarters Company was withdrawn from the Organized Reserve and allotted to the
Regular Army
A regular army is the official army of a state or country (the official armed forces), contrasting with irregulars, irregular forces, such as volunteer irregular militias, private armies, mercenary, mercenaries, etc. A regular army usually has the ...
and the Headquarters was demobilized.
Third Army (II) (present Third Army)
In a reorganization of field forces in the United States, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third Army, was reconstituted in the Regular Army as one of four field armies to control the units of the U.S. Army that were stationed on home soil. The Headquarters was organized on 15 September 1932 in
Houston, Texas
Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...
, although the Headquarters Company was not activated until 23 November 1940. The responsibility of the Third Army was overseeing the training and mobilization plans of its assigned units, and developing contingency defense plans for the
Southern United States
The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
.
World War II
![Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1988-045-34, Koblenz, amerikanische Flaggenparade](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1988-045-34%2C_Koblenz%2C_amerikanische_Flaggenparade.jpg)
As a result of mobilization, the Third Army took on the role of training some of the huge numbers of recruits that the draft was bringing into the
United States Armed Forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the ...
.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
Walter Krueger
Walter Krueger (26 January 1881 – 20 August 1967) was an American soldier and general officer in the first half of the 20th century. He commanded the Sixth United States Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II. He rose fr ...
, later to gain fame for his command of
Sixth Army during operations in the Pacific, commanded Third Army from May 1941 until February 1943. Under his leadership, the basis of the Army's later success as a combat formation was laid. Krueger was succeeded by Lieutenant General
Courtney Hodges
General Courtney Hicks Hodges (January 5, 1887 – January 16, 1966) was a decorated senior officer in the United States Army who commanded First U.S. Army in the Western European Campaign of World War II. Hodges was a notable "mustang" officer ...
who led the Army for the rest of 1943. The news that many had expected came in December 1943 and the Third Army was shipped from the United States to the United Kingdom.
Third Army did not take part in the initial stages of
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allies of World War II, Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Front (World War II), Western Europe during World War II. The operat ...
. However, when it did take the field, it was led by
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a general in the United States Army who commanded the Seventh United States Army in the Mediterranean Theater of World War II, and the Third United States Army in France ...
. When Third Army was moved to France, it was just after formations under the command of
Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893April 8, 1981) was a senior Officer (armed forces), officer of the United States Army during and after World War II, rising to the rank of General of the Army (United States), General of the Army. Bradley ...
had achieved the
breakout from Normandy. Third Army followed up on that success and began a great dash across France, ultimately out-running its supply lines which halted it near the German border.
After a period of consolidation, Third Army was ready to go on the offensive again. However, the Germans then launched their last great offensive of the war – the
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive (military), offensive military campaign, campaign on the Western Front (World War II), Western Front during World War II. The battle lasted fr ...
. This battle was an attempt to repeat
the decisive breakthrough of 1940. However, in 1944, the Germans were doomed to failure. Their own logistical problems surfaced, and they ground to a halt. Nevertheless, they had broken the U.S. front, and it took a great effort to reduce the resulting
salient. In one of the great moves of the war, Patton heeded the advice of his Intelligence Officer,
Oscar Koch, and planned to aid First Army if required. When the German offensive commenced, Patton was prepared to turn Third Army's axis of advance ninety degrees and advance north to the southern flank of the German forces. The German salient was reduced by the end of January 1945, and the remainder of the process of closing up to the Rhine could be completed. Some vicious fighting took place, but by April there was but one great natural barrier between Third Army and the heart of Germany. Unlike in 1918, the crossing of the Rhine was opposed. However, the bridgehead was won, and Third Army embarked on another great eastward dash. It reached
Austria
Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
and in May liberated the
Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp
Mauthausen was a Nazi concentration camp on a hill above the market town of Mauthausen, Upper Austria, Mauthausen (roughly east of Linz), Upper Austria. It was the main camp of a group with List of subcamps of Mauthausen, nearly 100 further ...
s complex. Its forces ended up in
Czechoslovakia
, rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי,
, common_name = Czechoslovakia
, life_span = 1918–19391945–1992
, p1 = Austria-Hungary
, image_p1 ...
, the furthest east of any American units.
The Third Army After Action of May 1945 states that the Third Army captured 765,483 prisoners of war, with an additional 515,205 of the enemy already held in corps and divisional level POW camps processed between 9 May and 13 May 1945, for a total of 1,280,688 POWs, and that, additionally, Third Army forces killed 144,500 enemy soldiers and wounded 386,200, for a total of 1,811,388 in enemy losses. Fuller's review of Third Army records differs only in the number of enemy killed and wounded, stating that between 1 August 1944 and 9 May 1945, 47,500 of the enemy were killed, 115,700 wounded, and 1,280,688 captured. Fuller's combined total of enemy losses is 1,443,888 enemy killed, wounded, or captured by the Third Army. The Third Army suffered 16,596 killed, 96,241 wounded, and 26,809 missing in action for a total of 139,646 casualties according to the aforementioned After Action Report of May 1945. According to Fuller, the Third Army lost 27,104 killed and 86,267 wounded. There were 18,957 injuries of all kinds and 28,237 men listed as missing in action. Including 127 men captured by the enemy, total casualties of the Third Army were 160,692 in 281 continuous days of operations. Fuller points out that the ratio of German troop deaths to American deaths in the Third Army operating area was 1.75:1.
German occupation
In the immediate postwar occupation, Army G-2 briefly hosted the
Fedden Mission
The Fedden Mission was a British scientific mission sent by the Ministry of Aircraft Production to Germany at the end of the Second World War in Europe, to gather technical intelligence about German aircraft and aeroengines. It was named for the ...
. Third Army remained in Germany until recalled to the United States again in 1947. When back in the United States, its duties were much the same as those of the 1930s, acting as a command and training force for units in the United States. The
Korean War
, date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...
saw a repeat of the earlier World War II training duties. The Third Army remained responsible for this aspect of U.S. Armed Forces operations until 1974, when a new major headquarters, that of Forces Command, or
FORSCOM
United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) is the largest United States Army command. It provides expeditionary, regionally engaged, campaign-capable land forces to combatant commanders. Headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, FORSCOM cons ...
was activated to replace Third Army. Third Army was thus inactivated, and it remained so for the better part of a decade.
ARCENT
On 3 December 1982, a special ceremony was held at
Fort McPherson to mark the return to Active Army status of Headquarters, Third U.S. Army under the command of Lieutenant General
M. Collier Ross
Marion Collier Ross (January 24, 1927 – February 8, 2003) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He is a former commander of the I Corps at Fort Lewis, a post which he served from 1978 to 1979. He was also Deputy Commanding Genera ...
. Guests at the event included former Third Army Commanders, General (Retired)
Herbert B. Powell
Herbert Butler Powell (July 13, 1903 – April 3, 1998) was a United States Army general and diplomat. He served as Commanding General of the United States Continental Army Command, and was later United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. ...
and Lieutenant General (Retired)
Louis W. Truman.
The new headquarters was established at
Fort McPherson, and its new mission was to serve as the Army component in a unified command, the United States Central Command, which has responsibility over a vast overseas area covering parts of Africa, Asia, and the Persian Gulf.
For its part, Third Army could draw upon a reservoir of Army units, and became responsible for planning, exercising, and rapidly deploying these units in crisis situations.
Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm
It was not until 1990 that Third Army returned to combat.
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein ( ; ar, صدام حسين, Ṣaddām Ḥusayn; 28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was an Iraqi politician who served as the fifth president of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003. A leading member of the revolution ...
invaded
Kuwait
Kuwait (; ar, الكويت ', or ), officially the State of Kuwait ( ar, دولة الكويت '), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the nort ...
in August 1990, and American forces were immediately dispatched to
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the A ...
to protect the Saudi oil fields. Since Saudi Arabia came within the CENTCOM area, Third Army was sent to command the Army units in theatre. At first,
XVIII Corps made up the forces assigned to Third Army; enough men to ensure that the Iraqis could not invade Saudi Arabia. However, in November 1990, massive reinforcements were announced in the form of
VII Corps 7th Corps, Seventh Corps, or VII Corps may refer to:
* VII Corps (Grande Armée), a corps of the Imperial French army during the Napoleonic Wars
* VII Corps (German Empire), a unit of the Imperial German Army prior to and during World War I
* VII ...
from Germany. This deployment marked the largest use of armored formations by the U.S. since World War II, and thus it was fitting that Patton's old command, Third Army, should have control of the battle. By the opening of hostilities, XVIII Corps had three American and one French division and VII Corps four American and one British division under command, thus giving Third Army a total of nine divisions, plus the armored cavalry regiments attached to both corps.
Third Army, commanded by Lieutenant General
John J. Yeosock, was the main striking force in
Operation Desert Storm
Operation or Operations may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity
* Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory
* ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...
. Its units were on the left flank of the attacking force and swept into southern Iraq. They then turned east and engaged the
Iraqi Republican Guard
Iraqi or Iraqis (in plural) means from Iraq, a country in the Middle East, and may refer to:
* Iraqi people or Iraqis, people from Iraq or of Iraqi descent
* A citizen of Iraq, see demographics of Iraq
* Iraqi or Araghi ( fa, عراقی), someone o ...
in fierce combat. Much of that force was destroyed. In terms of its immediate aims, the Persian Gulf War was a stunning success. The Iraqis were ejected from Kuwait and their forces were thoroughly mauled.
During the crisis, the 22nd Support Command served as the primary
Logistics
Logistics is generally the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In a general business sense, logistics manages the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of ...
and
Combat Service Support
The term combat service support (or CSS) is utilized by numerous military organizations throughout the world to describe entities that provide direct and indirect sustainment services to the groups that engage (or are potentially to be engaged) ...
organization for
ARCENT
The United States Army Central, formerly the Third United States Army, commonly referred to as the Third Army and as ARCENT, is a military formation of the United States Army which saw service in World War I and World War II, in the 1991 Gulf Wa ...
during the
Operation Desert Shield
The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a Coalition of the Gulf War, 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Ba'athist Iraq, ...
,
Operation Desert Storm
Operation or Operations may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity
* Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory
* ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...
and
Operation Desert Farewell In the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Farewell was the name given to the return of American units and equipment to the United States in 1991 after the liberation of Kuwait. Some U.S. Marine Corps units were diverted ''en route'' to conduct humanit ...
portions of the operation. The Command was activated as the ARCENT SUPCOM (Provisional) on 19 August 1990, but had been in operation since 10 August 1990. The ARCENT SUPCOM (PROV) was redesignated the 22nd Support Command on 16 December 1990. During the conflict, the commander was Major General, and then Lieutenant General
William 'Gus' Pagonis. When the Command was disestablished following Operation Desert Farewell, it was succeeded by the 1st Area Support Group.
Supporting allies
Third Army/ARCENT remained engaged in the Middle East after the end of the Persian Gulf War with various operations to enforce the cease fire.
Operation Vigilant Warrior
In October 1994, ARCENT was again called upon to command, control, and deploy U.S. Army forces to Kuwait during Operation Vigilant Warrior.
The operation was initiated in response to Saddam Hussein's saber rattling and posturing of Iraqi military forces along the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border. This act of aggression threatened to upset the delicate balance of peace in the region.
ARCENT's rapid generation and deployment of a formidable Army force clearly demonstrated U.S. resolve and commitment to its friends and allies in the region.
Operation Vigilant Sentinel
Less than one year later, Saddam Hussein would again deploy Iraqi forces close to its border with Kuwait. In August, Third Army/ARCENT provided command and control for a rapid deployment of a heavy brigade task force. Once more, Iraqi threats were met while ARCENT simultaneously conducted a major training exercise in Egypt, "BRIGHT STAR 95," involving military forces from 6 other nations. This contingency operation validated critical procedures for deployment, particularly the off-loading of equipment from floating prepositioning ships and its distribution to arriving soldiers. The deployment of a "Fly-Away Package" of key contingency staff also validated procedures for a rapidly deployed command and control group able to conduct combat operations immediately upon arrival. The operation was described by Third Army as having convinced Hussein to withdraw his forces from the Kuwaiti border.
Operation Desert Strike
In September 1996, it was alleged that Iraq violated United Nations sanctions by deploying forces north of the
36th Parallel and attacking ethnic Kurds in Northern Iraq. In response to Hussein's refusal to withdraw his forces, the U.S. launched cruise missile strikes against selected military targets inside Iraq. A heavy brigade task force, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, was deployed to Kuwait under the command of Third Army/ARCENT as follow on forces to an already deployed Task Force (Task Force Headhunter, 1/9th and 1/12th Cavalry) to deter potential retaliatory attacks on Kuwait. The Brigade Task Force was supported by elements of the United States Marines, British Royal Marines and the Kuwaiti Liberation Brigade. Hussein soon capitulated, withdrawing his military forces south of the 36th Parallel.
Operation Desert Thunder I
When Saddam Hussein blocked United Nations weapons inspections, tested the resolve of coalition commitment by violating the no-fly zone, and publicly threatened to mimic
earlier Soviet successes by shooting down
U2 reconnaissance over-flights in the Fall of 1997, CENTCOM responded with a land, sea, and air strike force of more than 35,000 U.S. and coalition forces. In support of this powerful multi-service, multinational ground force, General Anthony C. Zinni, Commander-in-Chief, CENTCOM, established a permanent Coalition/ Joint Task Force (C/JTF), headquartered at Camp Doha, Kuwait, and commanded by Lieutenant General Tommy R. Franks, Commanding General, Third Army/ARCENT.
In addition to the U.S. and coalition forces already in Kuwait, a brigade task force from 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, rapidly deployed to Kuwait. Departing from Hunter Army Airfield, the brigade task force deployed 4,000 personnel and 2,900 short tons of equipment on 120 aircraft. Within 15 hours of landing at Kuwait City International Airport, the unit had drawn prepositioned equipment and was in battle positions in the desert. On 28 February,
Combined Joint Task Force Kuwait (C/JTF-K) was prepared to defend Kuwait with a ground force strength of more than 9,000 personnel.
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, and Kuwait rounded out the C/JTF by providing liaison teams, aircraft support, special operations elements, chemical/biological defense, base defense units,
MASH units, and medical personnel.
Added to forces on the ground was equipment for two more brigades (one Army and one Marine) afloat in the Persian Gulf with the Maritime Preposition Force. These ships were poised to link up with soldiers and Marines who would draw their equipment and begin combat operations if required. Attack air provided by Navy, Air Force, and Coalition assets rounded out this formidable force.
This was the largest multinational force assembled in Southwest Asia since the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War.
According to the Third Army, the demonstrated capability to quickly deploy combat forces from around the world deterred Iraqi aggression and helped reinstate compliance with the UN Weapons Inspection Program. In November 1998, when the work of the UN inspectors was again interrupted, Third Army quickly returned to the Persian Gulf to convince Saddam that the United States stood ready to enforce the terms of the cease-fire.
Operation Desert Thunder II
As Saddam Hussein violated United Nations sanctions and threatened regional stability, the United States began deploying to Kuwait and preparing for combat operations. Combined/Joint Task Force-Kuwait, in place since Desert Thunder I, played a key role in the rapid deployment, reception, staging, onward movement, and integration of forces.
Units deploying to Kuwait included advance parties from the 3d Infantry Division and the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC), personnel from the Theater Support Command (TSC),
Air Support Operations Center
Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) is a USDoD term for a subsection of a Theater Air Control System ( TACS) located near a corps headquarters or some other land force headquarters, which directs and oversees close air support and similar sorts ...
(ASOC), and Marine forces. In addition, the redeployment of the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in the Persian Gulf was placed on hold and a second MEU was ordered to the Persian Gulf as reinforcement.
While forces were deploying to the Persian Gulf region, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan flew to Baghdad to meet with Saddam Hussein.
Following negotiations, Saddam Hussein agreed to allow uninterrupted resumption of United Nations weapons inspections. In mid-Nov, as the crisis defused, there were 2,300 personnel deployed to Kuwait in support of C/JTF-Kuwait.
Operation Desert Fox
When Iraqi aircraft began challenging the established no-fly zones, and Iraqi air defense systems fired on allied aircraft in December 1998, US and UK forces responded with a massive display of firepower.
Allied air force and navy aircraft, and cruise missiles engaged command and control, communications, and selected Republican Guards targets on the morning of 16 December. These concentrated attacks against Iraqi targets continued until the early morning of 19 December.
During the campaign, Third Army again deployed forces to defend Kuwait, and to reassure allies in the Persian Gulf region.
By late December, C/JTF-Kuwait consisted of approximately 6,000 personnel, including the
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 Marines and ...
.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Third Army was deployed to attack Iraq again in early 2003. The forces it had under its command for
Operation Iraqi Freedom
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Iraq War {{Nobold, {{lang, ar, حرب العراق (Arabic) {{Nobold, {{lang, ku, شەڕی عێراق (Kurdish languages, Kurdish)
, partof = the Iraq conflict (2003–present), I ...
were much smaller in numbers than those it had commanded twelve years before. It had
V Corps 5th Corps, Fifth Corps, or V Corps may refer to:
France
* 5th Army Corps (France)
* V Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée), a cavalry unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars
* V Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French Ar ...
as its main striking force, with only two complete divisions and an airborne brigade under that command. There was also
I Marine Expeditionary Force
The I Marine Expeditionary Force ("I" pronounced "One") is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. It is ...
, controlling a further two divisions and a brigade. However, numbers were made up for by the advances in technology, which rendered this a powerful force. It took six weeks to defeat Iraq, along with
3rd Infantry Division, the heavy mech/armor component of
XVIII Airborne Corps
The XVIII Airborne Corps is a corps of the United States Army that has been in existence since 1942 and saw extensive service during World War II. The corps is designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world and is referred to as "America ...
.
The aftermath of the campaign saw Third Army headquartered in
Baghdad
Baghdad (; ar, بَغْدَاد , ) is the capital of Iraq and the second-largest city in the Arab world after Cairo. It is located on the Tigris near the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon and the Sassanid Persian capital of Ctesiphon ...
, directing its third occupation within one hundred years.
Current role
As a result of July 2011 BRAC relocations, Third U.S. Army is headquartered at
Shaw Air Force Base
Shaw Air Force Base (Shaw AFB) is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately west-northwest of downtown Sumter, South Carolina. It is one of the largest military bases operated by the United States, and is under the jurisdict ...
, South Carolina with a forward element at
Camp Arifjan
Camp Arifjan is a United States Army installation in Kuwait which accommodates elements of the United States Air Force, US Air Force, United States Navy, US Navy, United States Marine Corps, US Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, US Coast ...
, Kuwait. Administratively called ARCENT again, it continues to serve as the Army Component Command for
CENTCOM
The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM or CENTCOM) is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the U.S. Department of Defense. It was established in 1983, taking over the previous responsibilities of the Rapid Deployment Joint Tas ...
, and the forward element is serving as the
Coalition Forces Land Component Command
{{unreferenced, date=August 2021
Coalition Forces Land Component Command, or CFLCC, is a command directing all land forces of different allied countries on behalf of a combatant commander or Joint task force commander.
In U.S. military terminolo ...
(CFLCC). It provides support and services to theater ARFOR commands, as well as directed Army support to other services.
Previously, in Saudi Arabia, its bases include
King Abdul Aziz Air Base
King Abdulaziz Air Base () , also known as Dhahran Air Base and formerly Dhahran International Airport, Dhahran Airport and Dhahran Airfield, is a Royal Saudi Air Force base located in Dhahran in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Located west ...
,
King Fahad Air Base
King Fahad Air Base (Arabic: قاعدة الملك فهد الجوية) ( ICAO: OETF) (KFAB) is a Royal Saudi Air Force military base located in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Overview
Operational Aircraft:
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoo ...
,
King Khalid Air Base
King Khalid Air Base (Arabic: قاعدة الملك خالد الجوية) (KKAB) is an airbase of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) sited in the south-west of Saudi Arabia, near Khamis Mushait.
History
The airbase, with code KMX, has a paved runway ...
,
Eskan Village Air Base
Eskan Village, officially named Eskan Village Compound, is a U.S. military compound located 20 kilometers south-east of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The base is home to the United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia (USMTM), Office of the Pro ...
and
Riyadh Air Base
Riyadh Air Base (, ar, قاعدة الرياض الجوية), formerly known as Riyadh International Airport from its opening in 1946 until 1982, is a military air base in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was originally used by Saudia as an airline hub b ...
. The Army moved all its bases and equipment to
Al Udeid Air Base
Al Udeid Air Base ( ar, قاعدة العديد الجوية) is one of two military bases southwest of Doha, Qatar, also known as Abu Nakhlah Airport ().
It houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force, United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and othe ...
,
Qatar
Qatar (, ; ar, قطر, Qaṭar ; local vernacular pronunciation: ), officially the State of Qatar,) is a country in Western Asia. It occupies the Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East; it sh ...
in 2003.
Focusing primarily on the Middle East, Central Command and Third Army's area of responsibility (AOR) is a large and complex region. It stretches from the Central Asian States to the Horn of Africa. The AOR encompasses an area of approximately consisting of 27 countries populated by over 650 million people speaking 12 major languages and representing seven major religions. Within this strategically important region lay the historical crossroads of three continents, the majority of the world's oil and natural gas reserves, and the primary maritime link between Europe and Asia. Resources, differing geography, religious influences, and historical conflict have shaped this region for centuries and continue to do so today.
In keeping with US national security strategy, Third Army supports U.S. Central Command through a theater security cooperation strategy that encompasses the four fundamentals of the National Military Strategy. Third Army maintains a continued forward presence, conducts joint and coalition exercises throughout the region, provides humanitarian assistance when needed, develops close partnerships with responsible nations, assists in demining efforts, and provides support to other military service components. Third Army is prepared to rapidly respond by developing and executing war plans and contingency missions as required. This strategy provides the President with a wide range of options to deter aggression and coercion from a forward presence posture, and to decisively defeat any adversary if deterrence fails across the full spectrum of conflict.
Current Organization
Current organisation of the command is as follows;
* United States Army Central Command Headquarters
** Commanding General,
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
Patrick D. Frank
** Deputy Commanding General,
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
Wendul G. Hagler II
** Chief of Staff,
Brigadier General
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
Matthew L. Eichburg
** Command Sergeant Major, Jacinto Garza
*
335th Theater Signal Command – Army Reserve
*
1st Theater Sustainment Command
The 1st Theater Sustainment Command (1st TSC) is a major subordinate unit of United States Army Central at Fort Knox, Kentucky, United States.
History
The 1st Logistical Command was activated as a planning headquarters in October 1950 at Fort M ...
* Task Force, Spartan – Regular, National Guard, and Reserve
* Area Support Group, Jordan
* Area Support Group, Kuwait
Lineage and Honors
Lineage
Organized 7–15 November 1918 in the Regular Army in France as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Third Army
Demobilized 2 July 1919 in Germany
Reconstituted 9 August 1932 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third Army
Headquarters activated 1 October 1933 at
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.
"Fort Sam Houston, TX • About Fort Sam Houston" (overview),
US Army, 2007, webpageSH-Army.
Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the U.S. Senator from Texas, U.S. Represen ...
, Texas
Headquarters Company activated 23 November 1940 at
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.
"Fort Sam Houston, TX • About Fort Sam Houston" (overview),
US Army, 2007, webpageSH-Army.
Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the U.S. Senator from Texas, U.S. Represen ...
, Texas
Redesignated 1 January 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third United States Army
Inactivated 1 October 1973 at
Fort McPherson, Georgia
Activated 1 December 1982 at
Fort McPherson, Georgia
Reorganized and redesignated 16 June 2006 as Headquarters, United States Army Central, to consist of Main Command Post, Operational Command Post, and Special Troops Battalion (Special Troops Battalion – hereafter separate lineage)
Campaign Participation Credit
*
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
**
Normandy
Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
**
Northern France
**
Rhineland
The Rhineland (german: Rheinland; french: Rhénanie; nl, Rijnland; ksh, Rhingland; Latinised name: ''Rhenania'') is a loosely defined area of Western Germany along the Rhine, chiefly its middle section.
Term
Historically, the Rhinelands ...
**
Ardennes-Alsace
The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. The battle lasted from 16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945, towards the end of the war in ...
**
Central Europe
Central Europe is an area of Europe between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, based on a common historical, social and cultural identity. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) between Catholicism and Protestantism significantly shaped the area' ...
*
Southwest Asia
Western Asia, West Asia, or Southwest Asia, is the westernmost subregion of the larger geographical region of Asia, as defined by some academics, UN bodies and other institutions. It is almost entirely a part of the Middle East, and includes Anat ...
**
Defense of Saudi Arabia
**
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
**
Cease-Fire
A ceasefire (also known as a truce or armistice), also spelled cease fire (the antonym of 'open fire'), is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be between state act ...
War on Terrorism
*
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
**
Liberation of Afghanistan
**
Consolidation I
*
Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...
**
Liberation of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was a United States-led invasion of the Republic of Iraq and the first stage of the Iraq War. The invasion phase began on 19 March 2003 (air) and 20 March 2003 (ground) and lasted just over one month, including 26 ...
**
Transition of Iraq
Transition or transitional may refer to:
Mathematics, science, and technology Biology
* Transition (genetics), a point mutation that changes a purine nucleotide to another purine (A ↔ G) or a pyrimidine nucleotide to another pyrimidine (C ↔ ...
(Additional campaigns to be determined)
Decorations
*
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC; pronounced ''muck'') is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Army awards units the Army MUC for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or s ...
(Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990-1991
*
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC; pronounced ''muck'') is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Army awards units the Army MUC for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or s ...
(Army), Streamer embroidered CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST ASIA 2008
*
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC; pronounced ''muck'') is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Army awards units the Army MUC for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or s ...
(Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 2009-2010
*
Army Superior Unit Award
The Superior Unit Award is a decoration of the United States Army which is awarded in peacetime to any unit of the Army which displays outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission carried out under extraordinary circum ...
, Streamer embroidered 2001-2004
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Description/Blazon
On a blue disc 2 1/4 inches (5.72 cm) in diameter a white letter "A" with members 1/8 inch (.32 cm) wide within a red circle 2 inches (5.08 cm) in diameter and 3/16 inch (.48 cm) in width.
Background
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Third Army on 20 December 1922. It was redesignated for Third United States Army on 10 November 1960. The insignia was redesignated for US Army Central on 29 August 2006. (TIOH Drawing Number A-1-3)
Combat Service Identification Badge
![Third Army CSIB](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Third_Army_CSIB.jpg)
Description/Blazon
A silver color metal and enamel device 2 inches (5.08 cm) in diameter consisting of a design similar to the shoulder sleeve insignia.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description/Blazon
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a blue disc with a red border, the blue area bearing throughout a white capital letter "A" (as depicted on the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia for US Army Central) in front of in base a gold stylized fleur-de-lis, the center petal of the fleur-de-lis extending behind and above the cross bar of the letter "A" and behind and below the red border and the tops of the two outer petals extending under, downward and over the red border and terminating at and conjoined with the feet of the letter "A" and the lower ends extending behind and below the red border which bears at top five gold five-pointed stars and the inscription "TERTIA SEMPER PRIMA" in gold letters, the word "TERTIA" in base and between the outer petals of the fleur-de-lis and the stars, the word "SEMPER" on the left and the word "PRIMA" on the right.
Symbolism
The design is based on the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia of US Army Central (formerly United States Third Army). The fleur-de-lis in base alludes to the initial activation of the Headquarters, Third Army, at Ligny-en-Barrois, France, 15 November 1918. The five stars refer to the five campaigns Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe, World War II in which the Third United States Army participated. The motto reflects the Third Army's constant readiness.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for Third United States Army on 10 October 1968. It was redesignated for US Army Central with the description updated and symbolism revised on 29 August 2006.
Commanding generals
Note – rank shown is the highest rank held while commanding the Third Army.
* LTG
Patrick D. Frank (2022–present)
* LTG
Ronald P. Clark
Ronald Patrick "Ron" Clark (born 15 August 1966) a United States Army lieutenant general who serves as the senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense. He previously commanded the United States Army Central from 2021 to 202 ...
(2021–2022)
* LTG
Terry R. Ferrell (2019–2021)
* LTG
Michael X. Garrett (2015–19)
* LTG
James L. Terry (2013–15)
* LTG
Vincent K. Brooks
Vincent Keith Brooks (born October 24, 1958) is a retired United States Army general who last commanded United States Forces Korea, United Nations Command, and ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. He previously served as the commanding general of Uni ...
(2011–13)
* LTG
William G. Webster (2009–11)
* LTG
James J. Lovelace (2007–09)
* LTG
R. Steven Whitcomb
R. Steven Whitcomb (born January 31, 1948) is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from the University of Virginia in 1970. In his final assignment he served as Inspector Gene ...
(2004–07)
* LTG
David D. McKiernan (2002–04)
* LTG
Paul T. Mikolashek (2000–02)
* LTG
Tommy Franks
Tommy Ray Franks (born 17 June 1945) is a retired general in the United States Army. His last army post was as the Commander of the United States Central Command, overseeing United States military operations in a 25-country region, including the ...
(1997–2000)
* MG
Robert Ivany
Robert Rudolph Ivany (born February 4, 1947) is a retired major general in the United States Army, and was the eighth president of the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
Military career
Born in Austria to Hungarian war refugees, Ivany attended ...
(1997)
* LTG
Steven L. Arnold
Steven Lloyd Arnold (born 8 January 1940) is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army who served as commander of the Third United States Army and deputy commander of FORSCOM from 1994 to 1997. He previously served as commanding gene ...
(1994–97)
* LTG
James R. Ellis
James is a common English language surname and given name:
*James (name), the typically masculine first name James
* James (surname), various people with the last name James
James or James City may also refer to:
People
* King James (disambiguat ...
(1992–94)
* LTG
John J. Yeosock (1989–92)
* LTG
Andrew Chambers (1987–89)
* LTG
T.G. Jenes Jr. (1984–87)
* LTG
William J. Livsey
William James "Lipp" Livsey (June 8, 1931 – June 18, 2016) was a United States Army general who served as the Commander in Chief of United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States Forces Korea ...
(1983–84)
* LTG
M. Collier Ross
Marion Collier Ross (January 24, 1927 – February 8, 2003) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He is a former commander of the I Corps at Fort Lewis, a post which he served from 1978 to 1979. He was also Deputy Commanding Genera ...
(1982–83)
* Unit inactivated (1973–82)
* MG Warren Bennett (1973)
* LTG
Melvin Zais
Melvin Zais (May 8, 1916 – May 7, 1981) was a United States Army general who served in the Second World War and Vietnam War.
Military career
A 1933 graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and gradu ...
(1972–73)
* LTG
Albert O. Connor (1969–72)
* LTG
John L. Throckmorton (1967–69)
* LTG
Louis W. Truman (1965–67)
* LTG
William C. Bullock (1965) (Acting)
* LTG
Charles W.G. Rich (1964–65)
* LTG John W. Bowen (1964) (Acting)
* LTG
Albert Watson II
Albert Watson II (January 5, 1909 – March 14, 1993) was a United States Army lieutenant general. He participated in World War II and fought in a number of significant battles in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of Okinawa. From Ma ...
(1963–64)
* LTG
Hamilton H. Howze (1962–63) (Acting)
* LTG
Thomas J. H. Trapnell
Thomas John Hall "Trap" Trapnell (November 23, 1902 – February 13, 2002) was a United States Army lieutenant general. He was a career officer who served in World War II and the Korean War. Trapnell survived the Bataan Death March and the sinkin ...
(1961–62)
* LTG
Paul D. Adams
General Paul DeWitt Adams (October 6, 1906 – October 31, 1987) was a United States Army officer.
Early life
Adams was born in Heflin, Alabama. After graduating from Marion Military Institute in 1924,Thomas J. H. Trapnell
Thomas John Hall "Trap" Trapnell (November 23, 1902 – February 13, 2002) was a United States Army lieutenant general. He was a career officer who served in World War II and the Korean War. Trapnell survived the Bataan Death March and the sinkin ...
(1960)
* LTG
Herbert B. Powell
Herbert Butler Powell (July 13, 1903 – April 3, 1998) was a United States Army general and diplomat. He served as Commanding General of the United States Continental Army Command, and was later United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. ...
(1960)
* LTG
Robert F. Sink
Robert Frederick Sink (April 3, 1905 – December 13, 1965) was a senior United States Army officer who fought during World War II and the Korean War, though he was most famous for his command of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of th ...
(1960) (Acting)
* LTG
Clark L. Ruffner (1958–60)
* LTG
Thomas F. Hickey (1955–58)
* LTG
Alexander Bolling (1952–55)
* MG
William A. Beiderlinden
William A. Beiderlinden (March 4, 1895 – April 12, 1981) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of World War I, the Occupation of the Rhineland, World War II, and the Korean War, he served from 1917 to 1955 and attained the ...
(1952)
* GEN
John R. Hodge
General John Reed Hodge (June 12, 1893 – November 12, 1963) was a highly decorated senior officer of the United States Army. His final assignment before retiring was as Chief of Army Field Forces from 1952 to 1953.
Early life and career
Born ...
(1950–52)
* LTG
Alvan Cullom Gillem Jr. (1947–50)
* LTG
Edward H. Brooks
Lieutenant General Edward Hale Brooks (April 25, 1893 – October 10, 1978) was a senior officer of the United States Army, a veteran of both World War I and World War II, who commanded the U.S. Second Army during the Korean War. He received the ...
(1947) (Acting)
* LTG
Oscar Griswold
Oscar Woolverton Griswold (22 October 1886 – 28 September 1959) was a United States Army lieutenant general in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his command of the XIV Corps in the South Pacific Area and South West Pacifi ...
(1947) (Interim)
* MG
Ernest N. Harmon (1947) (Interim)
* LTG
Geoffrey Keyes
Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes (October 30, 1888 – September 17, 1967) was a highly decorated senior United States Army officer who served with distinction in Sicily and Italy during World War II.
Early life
Keyes was born on October 30, ...
(1946–47)
* LTG
Lucian K. Truscott Jr. (October 1945 – April 1946)
* GEN
George S. Patton Jr.
George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a General (United States), general in the United States Army who commanded the Seventh United States Army in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Mediterranean Theater ...
(January 1944 – October 1945)
* LTG
Courtney Hodges
General Courtney Hicks Hodges (January 5, 1887 – January 16, 1966) was a decorated senior officer in the United States Army who commanded First U.S. Army in the Western European Campaign of World War II. Hodges was a notable "mustang" officer ...
(May 1943 – January 1944)
* LTG
Walter Krueger
Walter Krueger (26 January 1881 – 20 August 1967) was an American soldier and general officer in the first half of the 20th century. He commanded the Sixth United States Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II. He rose fr ...
(May 1941 – May 1943)
* LTG
Herbert J. Brees
Herbert Jay Brees (June 12, 1877 – December 22, 1958) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.
Early military career
Brees was born in Laramie, Wyoming on June 12, 1877. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor o ...
(1940–41)
* LTG
Stanley D. Embick (1938–40)
* MG
George V.H. Moseley
George Van Horn Moseley (September 28, 1874 – November 7, 1960) was a United States Army general. Following his retirement in 1938, he became controversial for his fiercely anti-immigrant and antisemitic views.
Early life and career
Moseley ...
(1936–38)
* MG
Frank Parker (1936)
* MG
Johnson Hagood Johnson Hagood may refer to:
*Johnson Hagood (governor) (1828–1898), American Civil War soldier and Governor of South Carolina, 1880–1882
* Johnson Hagood (1873–1948), American World War I general
See also
*Johnson Hagood Stadium
Johnson ...
(1933–36)
* MG
Edwin B. Winans (1932–33)
* Unit inactivated (1919–32)
* LTG
Hunter Liggett
Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett (March 21, 1857 − December 30, 1935) was a senior United States Army officer. His 42 years of military service spanned the period from the Indian campaigns to the trench warfare of World War I. Additionally, h ...
(May 1919 - July 1919)
* MG
Joseph T. Dickman
Joseph Theodore Dickman (October 6, 1857 – October 23, 1927) was a United States Army officer who saw service in five wars, rising to the rank of Major general (United States), major general.
Early life
Dickman was born in Dayton, Ohio. He atte ...
(November 1918 – April 1919)
Deputy Commanding Generals
# MG Wendul G. Hagler II (DCG (2021– )
# MG Douglas Crissman (DCG) (2020–2021)
# MG David Hill (DCG) (2018–2020)
# MG
Terrence J. McKenrick
Terrence J. McKenrick is a retired United States Army major general
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappea ...
(DCG)(2017–2018)
# MG
Donnie Walker.
Donnie or Donny is a familiar form (hypocorism) of the masculine given name Donald, Donal, Don, or Donovan.
It may refer to:
People
Arts and entertainment
* Donny Baldwin, American drummer best known as a member of Jefferson Starship and Stars ...
(DCG-Sustainment) (2017–present)
# MG
William B. Hickman (DCG-Operations) (2015–2017)
# MG
Paul C Hurley Jr. (DCG-Sustainment) (2015–2017)
# MG
Dana J.H. Pittard
Dana James Hillian Pittard (born March 11, 1959) is a retired United States Army general officer. He served as Joint Force Land Component Commander-Iraq (JFLCC-I) from June 9, 2014, during the coalition response to the incursions by the Islamic St ...
(DCG-Operations) (2013–15)
# MG
Kurt J. Stein (DCG-Sustainment) (2012–15)
# MG
Gary Cheek (2011–13)
# MG
Peter Vangjel
Peter may refer to:
People
* List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name
* Peter (given name)
** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church
* Peter (surname), a sur ...
(2009–11)
# MG
Charles A. Anderson (2008–09)
# MG
Dennis E. Hardy (2006–08)
# MG
James A. Kelley
James is a common English language surname and given name:
*James (name)
James is an English language given name of Hebrew origin, most commo ...
(2005–06)
# MG
Gary D. Speer (2004–05)
# MG
Stephen M. Speakes ( )
# MG
Antonio M. Taguba ( )
# MG
Henry Stratman
Henry may refer to:
People
*Henry (given name)
* Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...
( )
# MG
William G. Webster (2002–03)
# MG
Warren C. Edwards (1999–2002)
# MG
Charles C. Campbell (1998–99)
Command Sergeants Major
# CSM
Jacinto Garza (2021–Present)
# CSM
Brian Hester (2019–2021)
# CSM
Joseph Cornelison (2018–2019)
# CSM
Eric C. Dostie (2016–2018)
# CSM
Ronnie R. Kelley (2014–16)
# CSM
Stephan Frennier (2011–14)
# CSM
John D. Fourhman (2008–11)
# CSM
Franklin G. Ashe (2005–08)
# CSM
Julian A. Kellman (2004–05)
# CSM
John D. Sparks (2002–04)
# CSM
Vincent M. Myers (2000–02)
# CSM
Dwight J. Brown (2000)
# CSM
Robert T. Hall
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...
(1996–2000)
# CSM Edward E. Smith (1988–93)
Chiefs of Staff
# BG Matthew L. Eichburg (2021– )
# BG Robert B. Davis (2020–2021)
# BG Jeffrey P. Van (2019–2020)
# BG James H. Raymer (2017–2019)
# BG
Viet Xuan Luong
Việt Xuan Luong (Vietnamese: ''Lương Xuân Việt'') is a retired United States Army major general. He is the first American officer promoted to general officer rank who was born in Vietnam. He last served as the Commanding General of United ...
(2016–17)
# BG David P. Glaser (2014–16)
# BG Charles L. Taylor (2012–14)
# BG David Bishop (2011–12)
# BG
Stephen Twitty (2010–11)
# COL
Kevin M. Batule (2008–10)
# COL William Norman (2006–08)
# COL
Richard P. McEvoy (2004–06)
# COL
John L. Della Jacono (2003–04)
# MG Robert Blackman (2002–03)
# COL
John L. Della Jacono (2002)
# COL
Mark S. Wentlent
Mark may refer to:
Currency
* Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
* East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic
* Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927
* Fin ...
(2000–02)
# COL Peter J. Deperro (1997–2000)
# MG
Hobart R. Gay
Lieutenant General Hobart Raymond Gay (May 16, 1894 – August 19, 1983), nicknamed "Hap", was a United States Army officer who served in numerous conflicts, including World War II, where he worked closely alongside General George S. Patton, and l ...
(1944–45)
[Forty, George. "The Armies of George S. Patton," London: Arms & Armour Press, 1996]
# MG
Hugh J. Gaffey (1944)
# BG
Malin Craig
Malin Craig (August 5, 1875 – July 25, 1945) was a general in the United States Army who served as the 14th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1935 to 1939. He served in World War I and was recalled to active duty during World War II ...
(1918–19)
References
Citations
Sources
*
*
Further reading
*
*Robert S. Allen, ''Lucky Forward: The History of Patton's Third Army'', New York: Vanguard Press, 1947
*Richard Moody Swain, , U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press
*Robert H. Scales, , U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press Reprint
*Gregory Fontenot, E.J. Degen, and David Tohn, , U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press
*Donald P. Wright and Timothy R. Reese, , U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press
External links
U.S. Army Central official websiteU.S. Army Central's News Page*
*
{{Authority control
United States Army Service Component Commands
003 Army
Military units and formations established in 1918
1918 establishments in the United States