Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

U.S. Militaria Forum

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

3rd Armored Division Insignia From 1941 to 1992

Featured Replies

#1

The 3rd Armored Division also known as the "Spearhead Division" (Unofficially nicknamed the "Third Herd"). The 3rd Armored Division was first activated in 1941 and was active in the European Theater of World War II. The division was stationed in West Germany for much of the Cold War and also participated in the Persian Gulf War. On 17 January 1992, still in Germany, the division ceased operations. In October 1992, it was formally inactivated as part of a general drawing down of U.S. military forces at the end of the Cold War.

3AD WWII.JPG

IMG_0126.JPG

IMG_0104.JPG

IMG_0105.JPG

  • Author
#2

Various Shoulder Sleeve (SSI) Configurations and Manufactured Styles.

IMG_0107.JPG

IMG_0108.JPG

IMG_0109.JPG

IMG_0110.JPG

IMG_0111.JPG

IMG_0112.JPG

IMG_0114.JPG

IMG_0115.JPG

  • Author
#3

Brown Number Three. DCU Merrowed Edged SSI. Gulf War Era Made In Country SSI. An OCP Merrowed Edged.

IMG_0106.JPG

3AD DCU.JPG

IMG_0092.JPG

3AD OCP.JPG

  • Author
#4

Army Green (AG) Cut Edged (CE) Border. German Made CE Border. Full Colored Merrowed Edged (ME) Border with A Separate Spearhead Tab. Subdued  Merrowed Edged (ME) Border with A Separate Spearhead Tab.

3AD CE.JPG

3AD GCE.JPG

IMG_0098.JPG

IMG_0097.JPG

  • Author
#5

German Made Tab. 36th Infantry Ranger Pocket Patch.

IMG_0091.JPG

  • Author
#6

Two Subdued Variations. The first one is from my field jacket.

IMG_0094.JPG

IMG_0096.JPG

  • Author
#7

Canadian Army Trophy CAT Pocket Patches. An early Tanker Qualification Pocket Patch. 8th Cavalry Pocket Patches.

3AD PPP.JPG

3AD PPPP.JPG

3AD PP.JPG

3AD PPPPPP.JPG

  • Author
#8

32nd Armored Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI). The 32nd Armored Regiment was a Core Unit of the 3rd Armored Division. All these DUI's are made from different manufactures and different periods. The BDU pocket patch was proposed but never implemented or never worn. 

IMG_0133.JPG

IMG_0134.JPG

IMG_0135.JPG

IMG_0138.JPG

IMG_0139.JPG

IMG_0118.JPG

  • Author
#9

33rd Armored Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI). The 33rd Armored Regiment was a Core Unit of the 3rd Armored Division. All these DUI's are made from different manufactures and different periods. Two Pocket Patches worn by the 33rd Armored.

IMG_0127.JPG

IMG_0130.JPG

IMG_0131.JPG

3AD PPPPP.JPG

#10
11 hours ago, m60a1d66 said:

The 3rd Armored Division also known as the "Spearhead Division" (Unofficially nicknamed the "Third Herd"). The 3rd Armored Division was first activated in 1941 and was active in the European Theater of World War II. The division was stationed in West Germany for much of the Cold War and also participated in the Persian Gulf War. On 17 January 1992, still in Germany, the division ceased operations. In October 1992, it was formally inactivated as part of a general drawing down of U.S. military forces at the end of the Cold War.

3AD WWII.JPG

IMG_0126.JPG

IMG_0104.JPG

IMG_0105.JPG

Another amazing collection. Thanks for posting.

#11

Hey there!

 

I have a few of my own and would like to post them, but would that be considered hijacking the post? I'd rather not if you don't want me to.

 

Just making sure...

 

Wade

  • Author
#12
55 minutes ago, Wade20th said:

Hey there!

 

I have a few of my own and would like to post them, but would that be considered hijacking the post? I'd rather not if you don't want me to.

 

Just making sure...

 

Wade

Go for it - I don't mind

#13

Impressive display of insignia and patches. Thank you for sharing

 

Leigh 

#14

What an incredible collection. Can´t get enough of regarding all these patches and DUI variants. If you don´t mind I´m adding a little contribution here as well.

 

 

 

 

3rd AD.jpg

#15
On 2/4/2026 at 11:41 PM, m60a1d66 said:

32nd Armored Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI). The 32nd Armored Regiment was a Core Unit of the 3rd Armored Division. All these DUI's are made from different manufactures and different periods. The BDU pocket patch was proposed but never implemented or never worn. 

IMG_0133.JPG

IMG_0134.JPG

IMG_0135.JPG

IMG_0138.JPG

IMG_0139.JPG

IMG_0118.JPG

 

elvis-06-1502884722.jpg

  • Author
#16
22 hours ago, yokota57 said:

 

elvis-06-1502884722.jpg

In 1977, the Dinning Facility (Mess Hall) on Ray Barracks in Friedburg, Germany was Named in honor of Elvis. It was called the Sgt. Elvis A. Presley Dinning Facility. 

  • Author
#17
On 2/9/2026 at 9:42 AM, m60a1d66 said:

In 1977, the Dinning Facility (Mess Hall) on Ray Barracks in Friedburg, Germany was Named in honor of Elvis. It was called the Sgt. Elvis A. Presley Dinning Facility. 

I ate there several time when I was TDY to Friedburg. But one time the head count would not let me in to the Dinning Facility because he said my boots were not bloused.

I explained to him you can't blouse safety shoes. I still could not get past the head count because he said safety shoes were to be wore in the motor pool not in the DEFAC. 49 years later and I still think it's funny.

  • Author
#18
16 minutes ago, m60a1d66 said:

I ate there several time when I was TDY to Friedburg. But one time the head count would not let me in to the Dinning Facility because he said my boots were not bloused.

I explained to him you can't blouse safety shoes. I still could not get past the head count because he said safety shoes were to be wore in the motor pool not in the DEFAC. 49 years later and I still think it's funny.

NOTE: In the 1970's, Safety Shoes were 3/4 Boot with a steel toe, a non slick sole, and referred to as "chucka boots". 

Create an account or sign in to comment

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.