"The Legacy Continues"
Events in 1989 brought about the collapse of the Iron Curtain, rippled
throughout the world and brought dramatic changes. The downsizing of the
United States military was one of the byproducts. During this period of
reorganization, the Chief of Staff of the Army made the decision to move the
1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas to Würzburg, Germany, and the
3rd Infantry Division from Germany to Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
These two great Divisions stand together among the most honored units in
our nation's history. Both of them were part of the WWI expeditionary force
under General John J. (Blackjack) Pershing. The "Fighting First" led the way
overseas, saw the first combat, and marched first into Germany. General
Pershing called the 1st Infantry Division the "best damned division in any
army in the world." The "Rock of the Marne" earned its name during these
same campaigns when surrounding units retreated while the 3rd Infantry
Division remained immovable in battles along the Marne River in 1917.
General Pershing called the 3rd Division's performance one of the most
brilliant pages of our military annals.
Both divisions would carry this fighting tradition into World War II. The 1st
Infantry Division again distinguished itself as the first to strike in North
Africa and Sicily, and the first onto the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. The
3rd Infantry Division became renowned as the only U.S. fighting force to
sustain 531 continuous days of combat ranging from Casablanca to
Salzburg, earning a Presidential Unit Citation in the battle of Colmar. The 3ID
was also the home of the most decorated soldier of World War II, Audie
Murphy.
The Korean War continued the legacy of the 3rd Infantry Division with 10
battle stars, and another nickname as the "Fire Brigade." The Vietnam war
had the 1st Infantry Division again return to combat. For the next 5 years
"Big Red One" soldiers took part in 11 different campaigns. Later they
deployed on Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and led the way
through the berms and minefields for the 7th U.S. Corps' thrust into Iraq.
The 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade also saw combat in Desert Storm
advancing as the tip of the spear for the 1st Armored Division's deep thrust
into Iraq on the left flank of VII Corps.
April 10, 1996 formally marks the day when the 1st Infantry Division
headquarters returns to Europe. The ceremony itself took place in front of
the Würzburg Resident, one of the most historic buildings in Germany. The
location provided a fitting place for the exchange of division colors of two of
the most historic units in the United Stales Army for after WWII, the 1st
Division alone remained in Germany. MG Meigs (the 3ID Commander and
new 1ID Commander receiving the 1ID colors), LTG Abrams (the V Corps
Commander who is passing the 1ID colors), MG House (the 1ID Commander
from Fort Riley who just presented his colors to LTG Abrams), CSM Beck (V
Corps CSM ), and CSM Gales (3ID CSM) participated in the ceremony.
The 1st Infantry Division will continue to lead the way as a forward deployed
division in USAREUR and as a committed part of NATO. At the time of this
historic ceremony, the Division had units deployed to Macedonia, Bosnia
and Hungary as part of the NATO peacekeeping efforts. The 1st Infantry
Division looks forward to leading the way in training and readiness. It will
carry forward the legacy of a great Division, tested so many times in battle
by those who paid the ultimate price for "Victory."
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
throughout the world and brought dramatic changes. The downsizing of the
United States military was one of the byproducts. During this period of
reorganization, the Chief of Staff of the Army made the decision to move the
1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas to Würzburg, Germany, and the
3rd Infantry Division from Germany to Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
These two great Divisions stand together among the most honored units in
our nation's history. Both of them were part of the WWI expeditionary force
under General John J. (Blackjack) Pershing. The "Fighting First" led the way
overseas, saw the first combat, and marched first into Germany. General
Pershing called the 1st Infantry Division the "best damned division in any
army in the world." The "Rock of the Marne" earned its name during these
same campaigns when surrounding units retreated while the 3rd Infantry
Division remained immovable in battles along the Marne River in 1917.
General Pershing called the 3rd Division's performance one of the most
brilliant pages of our military annals.
Both divisions would carry this fighting tradition into World War II. The 1st
Infantry Division again distinguished itself as the first to strike in North
Africa and Sicily, and the first onto the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. The
3rd Infantry Division became renowned as the only U.S. fighting force to
sustain 531 continuous days of combat ranging from Casablanca to
Salzburg, earning a Presidential Unit Citation in the battle of Colmar. The 3ID
was also the home of the most decorated soldier of World War II, Audie
Murphy.
The Korean War continued the legacy of the 3rd Infantry Division with 10
battle stars, and another nickname as the "Fire Brigade." The Vietnam war
had the 1st Infantry Division again return to combat. For the next 5 years
"Big Red One" soldiers took part in 11 different campaigns. Later they
deployed on Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and led the way
through the berms and minefields for the 7th U.S. Corps' thrust into Iraq.
The 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade also saw combat in Desert Storm
advancing as the tip of the spear for the 1st Armored Division's deep thrust
into Iraq on the left flank of VII Corps.
April 10, 1996 formally marks the day when the 1st Infantry Division
headquarters returns to Europe. The ceremony itself took place in front of
the Würzburg Resident, one of the most historic buildings in Germany. The
location provided a fitting place for the exchange of division colors of two of
the most historic units in the United Stales Army for after WWII, the 1st
Division alone remained in Germany. MG Meigs (the 3ID Commander and
new 1ID Commander receiving the 1ID colors), LTG Abrams (the V Corps
Commander who is passing the 1ID colors), MG House (the 1ID Commander
from Fort Riley who just presented his colors to LTG Abrams), CSM Beck (V
Corps CSM ), and CSM Gales (3ID CSM) participated in the ceremony.
The 1st Infantry Division will continue to lead the way as a forward deployed
division in USAREUR and as a committed part of NATO. At the time of this
historic ceremony, the Division had units deployed to Macedonia, Bosnia
and Hungary as part of the NATO peacekeeping efforts. The 1st Infantry
Division looks forward to leading the way in training and readiness. It will
carry forward the legacy of a great Division, tested so many times in battle
by those who paid the ultimate price for "Victory."
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not
be reproduced without their consent.
be reproduced without their consent.
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