Description:
Upon a blue square 2 inches, three white stripes each 3/8 inch in width from heraldic sinister chief to dexter base; the blue background between the white stripes also being 3/8 inch in width; all within a 1/8 inch Army Green border. The overall dimension is 2-1/4 inches on each side.
Symbolism:
The three white stripes of the insignia are symbolical of the three major operations in which the division participated during World War I. The blue field symbolizes the loyalty of those who placed their lives on the altar of self-sacrifice in defense of the American ideals of liberty and democracy.
Background:
This insignia was originally approved on 24 Oct 1918 for the 3rd Division, amended to correct the wording of the description on 11 Oct 1922 and redesignated with an amendment to include the border in the description for the 3d Infantry Division on 15 May 1964.
Description:
A silver colored metal and enamel insignia 1 1/8 inches in height consisting of a silver rock issuing from the inner arc of a blue annulet inscribed with the words "NOUS RESTERONS LA" in silver letters; on the rock and surmounting the upper part of the annulet a silver wyvern winged blue bearing thereon three silver diagonal bands.
Symbolism:
The rock, inscription and wyvern refer to the two designations by which men of the 3d Infantry Division are popularly known; i.e., "Marne Men" and "Blue and White Devils". The rock represents the Division’s firm stand against the German offensive at the Marne River during World War I. It was there that it became known as the "Rock of the Marne" and there that the Commanding Officer, General Joseph Dickman, stated "Nous Resterous La". The wyvern, an heraldic form of the devil, bears the Division’s blue and white stripes on its wing in commemoration of the Division’s action at Anzio, Italy, during World War II where they were called "Blue and White Devils" by the enemy.
Background:
The insignia was approved on 27 Aug 1965.
Source: U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry
