Honored Division Week #8: Black Knights face Memphis on the road, honor 3rd Infantry Division with gameday patch
The Army West Point Football team (5-2) travels to Memphis, Tennessee, to face the Tigers at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 following a 38-35 victory at Tulsa last weekend as kicker Dawson Jones booted a 50-yard field goal as time expired.
The Black Knights will honor the 3rd Infantry Division with patches on the backs of their helmets. The recognition highlights the history, accomplishments and continued service of Army divisions as part of the Honored Division theme featured throughout the 2026 football season.
The 3rd Infantry Division represents Soldiers and units stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
History of the 3rd Infantry Division
The Dogface Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division, nicknamed “Rock of the Marne,” trace their history to World War I. The division was constituted Nov. 12, 1917, and organized Nov. 21 at Camp Greene, North Carolina, seven months after America entered WWI and nearly a year before the armistice.
Elements began deploying to France in December 1917, with most sailing from March to May 1918. During WWI, the division was commanded by Maj. Gen. Joseph T. Dickman, U.S. Military Academy Class of 1881.
On July 14, 1918, the 3rd Division held their positions on the banks of the Marne River at Château-Thierry during a fierce German attack, earning the nickname “Rock of the Marne” and vowing that “we shall remain here” (“Nous Resterons La”).
After nine months of occupation duty in Germany, the division returned to Camp Merritt in Hoboken, New Jersey, in August 1919, then moved to Camp Pike, Arkansas. Headquarters moved to Camp Lewis, Washington, in 1921, with other units stationed throughout the West.
Reorganized as a triangular division in late 1939, the division intensified training as global threats grew. During World War II, the 3rd Division fought in all European Theaters, facing 531 consecutive days of combat in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Austria.
After landing in Vichy French Morocco, the division invaded Sicily during Operation Husky, capturing Palermo and Messina and marching 90 miles in three days. Advancing up Italy in September 1943, it crossed the Volturno River, fought at Monte Cassino and reached the Gustav Line before landing at Anzio during Operation Shingle in January 1944.
During Operation Diadem in May 1944, the division led the Anzio breakout and raced to liberate Rome, then withdrew to prepare for Operation Dragoon, the August invasion of southern France. After landing at St. Tropez, the division advanced up the Rhone Valley, through the Vosges Mountains and arrived at the Rhine River in Strasbourg in late November 1944.
After clearing the Colmar Pocket in late January 1945, they attacked the Siegfried Line in mid-March. By mid-April, the division captured Nuremberg after fierce urban combat, halting in Salzburg when the war in Europe ended.
At the Korean War’s outset, the division rushed from Fort Benning, Georgia, to Japan as Far East Command Reserve. It landed at Wonsan in November 1950 before advancing north to Hungnam and Majon-dong.
In November and December 1950, it covered American forces’ withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir area, holding Hungnam’s perimeter with the 7th Infantry Division until remaining X Corps units evacuated.
The division earned 10 battle stars, fighting around Chorwon-Kumwha, Jackson Heights and Arrowhead and blunting a Kumsong attack in July 1953. After the armistice, it remained until 1954, returning to Fort Benning that December.
Reorganized as a Pentomic Division with five infantry battle groups in July 1957, the division deployed to Germany under Operation Gyroscope, replacing the 10th Mountain Division.In 1963, the division again reorganized under ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Division). The 3rd Infantry was stationed in Germany from 1958 until 1996, defending West Germany along the Czech border.
Elements deployed for Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in November 1990 following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and fought at Medina Ridge. Others supported Kurdish refugees in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort.
In 1996, the division returned to the United States and was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Throughout the 1990s, elements of the 3rd Division deployed to Egypt, Bosnia and Kosovo.
After Sept. 11, 2001, the division served multiple Iraq and Afghanistan tours supporting the Global War on Terrorism. More recently, elements strengthened European ties through training during Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The division’s combat streamers include five combat streamers for World War I, 10 for World War II, eight for the Korean War, four for Iraq and three for Afghanistan.
Division Soldiers have received 61 Medals of Honor, the Army’s highest divisional total. Recipient Audie Murphy, WWII’s most decorated American Soldier, appeared in “To Hell and Back.”
From the 3rd Infantry Division to West Point
U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School Cadet Candidate Shante Leemansky, Maj. Hannah Matthews and Lt. Col. William Folinusz now call West Point home.
Leemansky served one year and 10 months as a Medical Logistics Specialist, 68 Juliet, reaching Specialist (E-4). Now at USMAPS, she hopes to join the USMA Class of 2031 and major in Biology to expand her knowledge and opportunities to serve others.
Although Leemansky didn’t technically wear the division patch because she was assigned to MEDDAC, which has its own medical patch, she was proud to serve alongside Soldiers who made up the division.
“Wearing the patch gave me a sense of pride knowing that my role in medical logistics contributed to the hospital’s mission and helped ensure that medical personnel had the supplies and resources they needed to provide care,” Leemansky explained. “Being part of the division allowed me to serve others in a meaningful way and reminded me of the importance of teamwork and taking care of Soldiers.”
At the NCO Academy, Leemansky developed her leadership skills, learned from other motivated Soldiers and built lasting connections.
As a private first class participating in Warrior Task Battle Drills, she met a female West Point graduate who flew MEDEVAC aircraft.
“It opened my eyes to the possibility that I could become more than an enlisted Soldier and pursue a future at West Point,” Leemansky stated. “Her example showed me that with hard work, dedication and the right mentorship, I could also take on greater responsibilities and become a leader. That experience gave me the confidence to believe in my potential and motivated me to work toward becoming in officer.”
Sgts. Reeves and Camara mentored Leemansky throughout her assignment.
“They supported me when things were difficult, celebrated my successes, and encouraged me to keep pushing forward when I doubted myself,” she said. “Most importantly, they motivated me to finish my West Point application and were always willing to help whenever I needed guidance or support.
Leemansky remains thankful for their influence on her life and career and their encouragement to pursue an opportunity she did not want to miss.
Maj. Hannah Matthews commands Company E-2 as its tactical officer, teaching, advising, coaching and developing 130 cadets under the West Point Leader Development System. An Engineer officer commissioned through University of South Carolina ROTC in 2014, Matthews served with 3rd ID from January 2022-April 2024 as brigade plans officer and commander of Alpha Company, 10th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team.
New to armored units, Matthews had much to learn about 3rd ID’s history and capabilities.
“I found myself working alongside senior NCOs who had participated in Thunder Run,” Matthews said about the armored assault by 3rd ID that penetrated Baghdad in April 2003. “Then our brigade was selected to rapidly deploy to Europe in response to the 2022 Russian invasion into Ukraine; and four days after Russia invaded, we had personnel deploying. Thinking of that, I associate the 3rd ID patch with a unit that finds a way to make the impossible possible.”
The rapid Europe rotation helped Matthews bond with leaders throughout the brigade.
“These relationships and friendships formed a strong foundation for future training when I assumed command and, as an engineer, provided enabling support to all battalions,” Matthews said.
She pursued the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) through E3B, the combined Expert Infantry, Soldier and Field Medical badge event, when few captains or senior officers participated.
“I like to think I was serving as a role model and exemplar for my Soldiers and other junior officers,” Matthews stated. “It was so fulfilling to see Soldiers that I personally spent three weeks training side-by-side with earn their badge.”
Two weeks in the field as a Bradley commander strengthened crew relationships and performance. As brigade plans officer supporting Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce in 2022, she expanded her tactical knowledge beyond engineering.
“I was stretched beyond my experience and comfort level for the better part of six months,” Matthews acknowledged. “Walking away from that assignment, I realize now how formative it was to my development. I am now able to speak more confidently to planning operations and better understand the synchronization of capabilities.”
Lt. Col. William Folinusz, deputy director of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic, combines executive officer, operations manager, strategic planner and senior advisor responsibilities. He teaches MX400, the Superintendent’s Capstone Course, preparing cadets for officership through confidence, moral responsibility and critical thinking under pressure.
An Armor officer commissioned through James Madison University ROTC in 2009, Folinusz served as brigade and battalion planner and Delta “Deathknight” Company commander, 1-64th Armor Battalion, as a captain. As a major, he served as division chief of operations, battalion executive officer and brigade executive officer with 1ABCT/3ID.
“Being a ‘Dogfaced Soldier’ is exactly that; it is the unit that takes the hardest missions with the least fanfare and gets the job done, every time,” Folinusz said. “The unit’s nickname ‘Rock of the Marne’ creates a deep lineage dating back to World War I when 3rd ID held the line when the rest of the Allied Army broke resulting in the repulse of the German Army and retaining a key tactical position that enabled the end of the war.
“The unit served 536 days in continuous combat in World War II and had the most decorated Soldier of the war, Audie Murphy, serve in the 15th Infantry Regiment,” Folinusz declared. “And more recently, 3rd ID captured Baghdad in 2003. Having the opportunity to carry the legacy of 3rd ID forward and represent the blue and white patch on my shoulder was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Folinusz valued serving 3rd ID’s people and its mission as the 18th Airborne Corps’ only heavy unit.
“The 18th Airborne Corps serves as the contingency force that responds to emerging crisis around the world,” Folinusz explained. “Being the only heavy element requires a very high level of adaptability and resilience. Often the mission was only accomplished through the sheer will of the Soldiers, NCOs and officers of the unit.”
Following Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, 1ABCT “Raider” activated Feb. 25 as the NATO Immediate Response Force. Folinusz flew out Feb. 27 as the armor battalion XO. The brigade had returned from a Korea deployment only six months earlier, but Folinusz said the Soldiers did not falter or complain, they simply executed a mission many said was impossible.
“The will of the organization constantly had me in awe,” said Folinusz, who was the brigade XO for the majority of the deployment. “We asked the unit daily to do things that were not just hard but seemed like it was too much to ask, but we would always got the report ‘mission complete.’We trained a full year training progression for an ABCT in less than three months and then, ultimately, helped equip and train the Ukrainian military.
“Experiencing this tenuous moment in world history and being a part of an organization that answered the call for a mission that was deemed impossible by many was something I will never forget,” he added.“What Raider Brigade accomplished in that moment was something that the world took notice of and it shifted the strategic and diplomatic conversation. This was all made possible by the people and their dedication to the mission, the unit and each other.”
More than a Patch on Gameday
Army Football’s hard-nosed play and last-second victories reflect the ‘Dawg’ spirit associated with 3rd ID Soldiers. This week’s classic gold helmets will carry the division’s patch, a meaningful recognition for those who served with or alongside it.
“The Army Football team honoring the 3rd Infantry Division with the gameday patch is meaningful because it recognizes the history, sacrifices and accomplishments of the Soldiers who have served the division,” Leemansky said. “Wearing the patch represents pride and a commitment to something greater than yourself.
“I believe honoring the division is a reminder to the Corps of Cadets of the responsibility they will carry as future officers,” she said.
After more than a year as a tactical officer, Matthews has advised first-class cadets considering their first posts. She recommends 3rd ID to future Engineer officers seeking Sapper skills and sustained direct leadership.
“I felt obligated to provide 3rd ID with second lieutenants who I believed held really strong potential for service as platoon leaders,” Matthews stated.
Folinusz said the recognition extends beyond 3rd ID to every unit whose legacy former, current and future Soldiers carry.
“These units have been filled with countless American Soldiers who we owe our dedication to by understanding, embodying and living their history,” Folinusz concluded. “The best units in the Army are steeped in their history because it is the foundation of their culture and they desire to carry that legacy and culture going forward.”
(Editor’s note: 3rd Infantry Division historical knowledge was provided by Dave Siry, the director of the Center for Oral History at West Point.)
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