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3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 3rd Brigade Combat Team ("Grey Wolf") is a combined arms
armored Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. Its major equipment includes M1A2SEP Tanks
, M2A3 & M3A3 Bradley
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
, M109A6 Paladin Howitzers
, and M1114 Up-armored Humvees
.
Division was first constituted on 29 August 1917. It was organized in December 1917 as Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, an element of the 15th Cavalry Division
. The Brigade demobilized on 15 July 1919. The Brigade was reconstituted on 10 August 1921, joining the newly constituted 1st Cavalry Division. Never officially reorganized, the Brigade remained on inactive status until its activation on 15 October 1940.
s with streamers embroidered Europe 1944 and Europe 1945.
Following World War II
, the unit returned to the United States and was inactivated. It remained inactive until 15 July 1963, when it was relieved from assignment to the 9th Armored Division, converted and redesignated as HHC, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
at the Korean Demilitarized Zone
.
and underwent reorganization as an Airmobile unit. No soldiers moved, and the soldiers remaining in Korea put on the patch of the 2nd Infantry Division. The Brigade was filled with soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division and the 11th Airborne Division. The Brigade sailed from Charleston, South Carolina to Quo Nhon, Republic of Vietnam on 17 September 1965.
The first major action undertaken by the Brigade began on 10 October 1965, and was followed by participation in the Ia Drang Valley operation officially known as the Pleiku Campaign. For its exceptional performance in the campaign, the Brigade shares with the Division, the Presidential Unit Citation
. The battle is the subject of the critically acclaimed book We Were Soldiers Once ... And Young
by Harold (Hal) Moore
and Joseph L. Galloway
, which serves as the principal source from which this article is composed. In 2002, screenwriter Randall Wallace
depicted the first part of the battle in the film We Were Soldiers
starring Mel Gibson
.
The 3rd Brigade was formed into a separate unit and assumed operational control of the old 1st Cavalry Division area of operations until 10 April 1971.
Finally in 1972, the Brigade left Vietnam for Fort Hood, Texas, to rejoin the 1st Cavalry Division. When its colors arrived at Fort Hood on 29 June 1972, the unit officially became the "Greywolf" Brigade, named after General George Crook
, considered the U.S. Army's greatest Indian Fighter. The Brigade underwent a change from an airmobile configuration to an Infantry Brigade (heavy or mechanized infantry). The "Greywolf" Brigade remained with the Division until its inactivation in 1980.
The Brigade was composed of the following elements:
and surrounding neighborhoods in Baghdad
. The last elements returned home in March 2005. The 3rd BCT is currently deployed again to Iraq.
The Brigade was organized as follows:
The Brigade re-task organized in Kuwait
before entering Iraq
:
Also attached were:
The Brigade's service was recognized and the following unit citations were awarded:
was organized.
.
The Brigade was a part of the controversial theater "Extension" that increased all combat tours to 15 months. This pushed their re-deployment home from theater to December 2007.
Vietnam: Defense; Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase II; Counteroffensive, Phase III; Tet Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Counteroffensive, Phase V; Counteroffensive, Phase VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase VII; Consolidation I; Consolidation II; Cease-Fire
War on Terrorism: Iraq
Combined arms
Combined arms is an approach to warfare which seeks to integrate different branches of a military to achieve mutually complementary effects...
armored Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. Its major equipment includes M1A2SEP Tanks
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in the United States. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. The M1 is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for...
, M2A3 & M3A3 Bradley
M2 Bradley
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is an American fighting vehicle platform manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, formerly United Defense.As with other infantry fighting vehicles, the Bradley is designed to transport infantry with armor protection while providing covering fire to suppress enemy...
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Infantry fighting vehicle
An infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
, M109A6 Paladin Howitzers
M109 howitzer
The M109 is an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It was upgraded a number of times to today's M109A6 Paladin...
, and M1114 Up-armored Humvees
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle , better known as the Humvee, is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by smaller Jeeps such as the M151 MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV,...
.
Regiments
- 7th Cavalry Regiment
- 8th Cavalry Regiment
- 9th Cavalry Regiment
- 12th Cavalry Regiment
- 82nd Field Artillery Regiment82nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)- Foundation and Formation :The 82nd Field Artillery traces it earliest history to that of the "First Dragoons". This type of fighting force was unique employing a fighting force that was skilled both as horse mounted and dismounted troops. Dragoon is derivitave from the French Army designation...
Heraldry
The 3rd Brigade is a subordinate component of the 1st Cavalry Division and wears the same shoulder sleeve insignia.Initial Organization
The 3rd Brigade, 1st CavalryCavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
Division was first constituted on 29 August 1917. It was organized in December 1917 as Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, an element of the 15th Cavalry Division
15th Cavalry Division (United States)
The 15th Cavalry Division was created with the 1st & 2nd Cavalry Brigades in February 1917 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It numbered in succession of the 1st–14th Divisions, which were not all active at its creation. Originally trained for deployment to Europe, its units were later converted into...
. The Brigade demobilized on 15 July 1919. The Brigade was reconstituted on 10 August 1921, joining the newly constituted 1st Cavalry Division. Never officially reorganized, the Brigade remained on inactive status until its activation on 15 October 1940.
World War II
The Brigade was converted and redesignated as HHC, 9th Armored Division Trains, and the unit deployed to the European Theater where it received campaign participation credit for the operations in Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. The unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
s with streamers embroidered Europe 1944 and Europe 1945.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the unit returned to the United States and was inactivated. It remained inactive until 15 July 1963, when it was relieved from assignment to the 9th Armored Division, converted and redesignated as HHC, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Korean Service
The Brigade was activated on 1 September 1963, with the Division on station in KoreaKorea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
at the Korean Demilitarized Zone
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and...
.
Vietnam
In July 1965, the Division colors moved to Fort BenningFort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
and underwent reorganization as an Airmobile unit. No soldiers moved, and the soldiers remaining in Korea put on the patch of the 2nd Infantry Division. The Brigade was filled with soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division and the 11th Airborne Division. The Brigade sailed from Charleston, South Carolina to Quo Nhon, Republic of Vietnam on 17 September 1965.
The first major action undertaken by the Brigade began on 10 October 1965, and was followed by participation in the Ia Drang Valley operation officially known as the Pleiku Campaign. For its exceptional performance in the campaign, the Brigade shares with the Division, the Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (US)
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
. The battle is the subject of the critically acclaimed book We Were Soldiers Once ... And Young
We Were Soldiers Once ... And Young
We Were Soldiers Once… And Young is a 1992 book, by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and war journalist Joseph L. Galloway about the Vietnam War...
by Harold (Hal) Moore
Hal Moore
Harold Gregory "Hal" Moore, Jr. is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army and author. Moore is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, and was the first of his West Point class to be promoted to...
and Joseph L. Galloway
Joseph L. Galloway
Joseph Lee "Joe" Galloway , is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. He is the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and is presently a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers...
, which serves as the principal source from which this article is composed. In 2002, screenwriter Randall Wallace
Randall Wallace
Randall Wallace is an American screenwriter, director, producer, and songwriter who came to prominence by writing the screenplay for the 1995 film Braveheart. His work on the film earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and a Writers Guild of America award for Best...
depicted the first part of the battle in the film We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers is a 2002 American war film that dramatizes the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965. The film was directed by Randall Wallace and stars Mel Gibson. It is based on the book We Were Soldiers Once… And Young by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L...
starring Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
.
The 3rd Brigade was formed into a separate unit and assumed operational control of the old 1st Cavalry Division area of operations until 10 April 1971.
Finally in 1972, the Brigade left Vietnam for Fort Hood, Texas, to rejoin the 1st Cavalry Division. When its colors arrived at Fort Hood on 29 June 1972, the unit officially became the "Greywolf" Brigade, named after General George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
, considered the U.S. Army's greatest Indian Fighter. The Brigade underwent a change from an airmobile configuration to an Infantry Brigade (heavy or mechanized infantry). The "Greywolf" Brigade remained with the Division until its inactivation in 1980.
The Brigade was composed of the following elements:
- HHC, 3d Brigade
- 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry
- 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry
- F Troop, 9th Cavalry
Post Operation Desert Storm
It remained on the inactive roles until 21 May 1991, when the 1st "Tiger" Brigade, 2nd Armored Division was redesignated as the 3rd "Greywolf" Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Since that time, the Brigade has participated in several National Training Center rotations, deployed Task Force sized elements to Kuwait, and in September 1996, conducted the first post- Desert Storm, no-notice, brigade sized deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Strike.Operation Iraqi Freedom II
In early 2004, 3d Brigade began deploying to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade protected the Green ZoneGreen Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
and surrounding neighborhoods in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. The last elements returned home in March 2005. The 3rd BCT is currently deployed again to Iraq.
The Brigade was organized as follows:
- HHC, 3d Brigade
- 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry
- 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
- F Troop, 9th Cavalry
- 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery
- 8th Engineer Battalion
- 215th Forward Support Battalion
The Brigade re-task organized in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
before entering Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
:
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry was detached to the 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National GuardArkansas Army National GuardThe Arkansas Army National Guard is a component of the Arkansas National Guard and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
- 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry was attached from the 39th Infantry Brigade
- 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry was attached from the 81st Armored Brigade, Washington Army National Guard
- the 112th MP Battalion, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
Army National Guard
Also attached were:
- 571st Military Police Company;
- Troop F (Bristol), 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
Army National Guard; - a company from 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry, California Army National Guard
- a company from the 8th Marine Regiment;
- Additionally a large number of individuals from the Individual Ready ReserveIndividual Ready ReserveThe Individual Ready Reserve is a category of the Ready Reserve of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces of the United States composed of former active duty or reserve military personnel, and is authorized under...
joined the Brigade
The Brigade's service was recognized and the following unit citations were awarded:
- HHC, 3rd Brigade was awarded a Meritorious Unit CitationMeritorious Unit CitationThe Meritorious Unit Citation is a collective group decoration awarded to members of Australian military units. It recognises sustained outstanding service in warlike operations...
(MUC) for the period of 17 March 2004 through 23 March 2005. - 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry was awarded an MUC (17 March 2004 – 23 March 2005)
- 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry was awarded an MUC (17 March 2004 – 23 March 2005)
- 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry was awarded an MUC (23 March 2004 – 5 March 2005)
- 2nd Battalion, 82nd Artillery was awarded an MUC (17 March 2004 – 23 March 2005)
Modularization
Under the Modularization of the 1st Cavalry Division, two battalions were transferred to 4th Brigade and the 8th Engineers were inactivated. One battalion was transferred in from 1st Brigade, F Troop was expanded into a Squadron, and a Special Troops BattalionSpecial Troops Battalion
A Special Troops Battalion is an organic unit of a modular brigade, Division , corps or higher echelon United States Army organization...
was organized.
- HHC, 3d BCT
- 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry (RSTA)
- 1st Battalion, 12th CavalryCavalryCavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
- 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
- 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field ArtilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
- 3rd Special Troops Battalion
- 215th Forward Support BattalionForward Support BattalionA forward support battalion was an Army of Excellence combat service support unit designed to support a Brigade. In divisions, it was part of the Division Support Command .It was composed of:...
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006–2007
In September 2006 the 3rd "Greywolf" Brigade began deploying to Iraq for its second OIF combat tour. During this tour it was deployed to the Diyala Province and based out of Baqubah. While serving as the main regional force for Coalition efforts in the area it fell under the command of Multi National Division-North (MND-N). During the 2006–2008 tour MND-N was commanded by the 25th Infantry Division and based out of COB Speicher in TikritTikrit
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river . The town, with an estimated population in 2002 of about 260,000 is the administrative center of the Salah ad Din Governorate.-Ancient times:...
.
The Brigade was a part of the controversial theater "Extension" that increased all combat tours to 15 months. This pushed their re-deployment home from theater to December 2007.
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008–2009
In December 2008 the Greywolf Troopers deployed to Iraq for their third tour. On 19 January 2009 they assumed control of FOB Marez in Mosul from the "Brave Rifles" of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. As during their last Iraq rotation the Greywolf Brigade will again be under the 25th Infantry Division and MND-N.Campaign participation credit
World War II: Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central EuropeVietnam: Defense; Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase II; Counteroffensive, Phase III; Tet Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Counteroffensive, Phase V; Counteroffensive, Phase VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase VII; Consolidation I; Consolidation II; Cease-Fire
War on Terrorism: Iraq
Decorations
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered QUANG TIN PROVINCE
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered FISH HOOK
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered EUROPE 1944
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered EUROPE 1945
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2004–2005
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2008–2009
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965–1969
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970–1971
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971–1972
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970