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3rd
Armored Cavalry Regiment |
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| Regimental History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1945 (Occupation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd Armd Cav Regt DUI |
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| 1955 - 1958 (GYROSCOPE) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Blood and Steel. Fort Carson Office of Historical Programs, Fort Carson, Colorado, 2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment The Regiment began an intensive ten week train-up (in preparation for its deployment to Europe) at Camp A.P. Hill on April 1, 1955 which was interrupted when the troopers were required to fight a devastating fire in Bowling Green, Virginia. The climax to the training was a firepower demonstration on 24 June followed by the return to Ft. Meade from 27 to 29 June. In August 1955, the Regiment became the first unit to deploy to Germany under Operation Gyroscope -- a plan under which divisional and separate regimental-size units were sent overseas as replacements to similar units which would return to the United States. The term Operation Gyroscope refers to the attribute of rotation with stability exhibited by a gyroscope. This was an attempt by the Army to reduce personnel turbulence by transferring entire units rather than individual soldiers. The advance party arrived in Germany on 26 June. On 2 August, the First and Second Battalions sailed from New York aboard the USNS Randall and arrived at Bremerhaven on 10 August. The Third and Provisional Battalions sailed from New York on USNS Buckner on 6 August and arrived at Bremerhaven on 14 August. Replacing the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, the Regimental Headquarters was stationed at Nürnberg with the 1st Battalion at Bindlach, the 2nd Battalion at Bamberg, and the 3rd Battalion at Amberg. The exchange with the 2nd ACR was completed by 15 August. The troopers participated in many field training exercises such as the NATO maneuver, "Cordon Bleu" and CPX "Polo Ball". In addition, the various units in the Regiment patrolled both the Czechoslovakian and East German borders, frequently working with West German Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) personnel. The 3d ACR returned to the United States in February 1958, and was once again stationed at Fort Meade. The Regiment became part of the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC). |
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| 1961 - 1968 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Blood and Steel. Fort Carson Office of Historical Programs, Fort Carson, Colorado, 2001) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Scott Hamric, Curator of Collections, Third Cavalry Museum, Fort Carson, CO) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I found this website facinating! I am a retired NCO and I spent a total of 7 years in USAREUR. My first 4 years with 1/11 ACR in Fulda and the last 3 with 4-69 (later reflagged to 4-34) Armor in Mainz. I also served with the 3d ACR for about 7 years. Yesterday, I forwarded your site's address out to about 30 other people who are associated with the Army in general or the 3d ACR in particular. I am already getting replies thanking me and raving about it.
I would like to obtain electronic copies of the photos in the 3d ACR section, if possible, for our photo archive. We don't have that many relating to the Regiment's service in Germany during the Cold War.
Would you like to add the following websites to the links?:
The Regiment's official website: http://www.carson.army.mil/UNITS/3RD%20ACR/main%20pages/HOMEPAGE.htm.
The 3d Cavalry Association's website is http://3acr.com/.
The Regiment is currently on its second deployment to Iraq. The folks over there created an addtional online store that deals specifically with its activities in Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is a free download there with an audio-visual about theri operations over there: http://www.biznizsource.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?creen=CTGY&Store_Code=Calvary&Category_Code=posters
If you are interested, I can send the images of the Regiment to you that we have, that were taken in Europe in both the '50s and 60's. Also in our archives are examples of unofficial documents such as border certificates and others that the Regiment created over there.
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| 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1955 - 1958 (Bamberg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Photo Album of Sp3 Dean F. Amstutz, HOW Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd ACR, APO 139, 1956) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 3rd ACR
deployed to Germany from Fort Meade, Maryland, in August 1955, replacing
the 2nd ACR. 
3rd Armd Cav area of operations 1955-1958 (adapted from Map 7, US Army Border Operations in Germany, HQ USAREUR, 1984) LOCATION of units HHT, 3d ACR - Merrell Barracks, Nürnberg, APO 696 1st Bn - Christensen Barracks, Bindlach, APO 114 2d Bn - Warner Barracks, Bamberg, APO 139 3d Bn - Pond Barracks, Amberg, APO 114 2nd Battalion, like the other Squadrons, had one Field Artillery Howitzer Battery. The three line companies of the Bn rotated every three weeks to the border camps at Hof and Coburg where they served as East-West German border patrol. The Regiment returned to Fort Meade in Jan 1958 (again as part of Operation GYROSCOPE), again switching duty stations with the 2d ACR. |
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| 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1955 - 1958 (Bayreuth) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1961 - 1968 (Kaiserslautern) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Email from James A. Riebe, "L" Trp, 3rd Sqd, 3rd ACR, 1962-64) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arrived 2/1962 at Kapaun Barracks, assigned to L Troop as a scout in 3rd platoon, then drove exec. off. for a couple of months, he went stateside. I went to the 1st platoon as a loader on M-60A1 tank, eventually became a driver on L-18 tank, the position I held till I went stateside for discharge on 5/20/1964 |
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| Aviation Company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initially designated as Air Cav Troop, the unit was redesignated (date?) as Aviation Company, 3rd ACR. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Email from William C. McAlister, Avn Co, 3rd ACR, 1962-64) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I am a retired Army Reserve Officer, rated as a Master Army Aviator. (I served 3 years on active duty and 19 plus years in the Army Reserve.) I served in USAREUR from May 1962 to May 1964 as an H-13 and H-34 pilot with Aviation Company, 3d Armored Cavalry Regt. I have enjoyed your web site and have a few things I can offer. Avn. Co., 3d ACR operated out of Hoppstädten AAF (also known as Happy Valley - I don't know for sure how or when the name was derived.) This unit, commanded during most of my tour by MAJ Richard Duckworth, was deployed as part of the 3d ACR to Germany in the fall of 1961 as part of the Berlin Wall crisis buildup. The 3d ACR was assigned rear echelon security and was under the 7th Army Support Command. As a brand new Army Aviator, still a 2nd Lt., I observed an historic event in USAREUR Army Aviation in the late summer or early fall of 1962 during a "swan song" field exercise for the nine (9) Trans. Cos. (Lt. and Med. Helicopter) just prior to five (5) of the units becoming part of the Division Aviation Bns. that were being formed. This group performed a formation fly-by with nine (9) in a row for each of the two (2) H-37 Cos. in the lead followed by the seven (7) H-34 Cos. (I may have pictures of this fly-by in storage. I will start sorting these materials in a year or two when I retire. If I locate these pictures, I will forward copies to you.) Again, I have enjoyed your web site. You can add that Hoppstadten AAF with Avn. Co., 3d ACR was active in the 1960s. |
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| (Source: Information submitted by Roger Pritts and originally sent to Hanno Englaender) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I served in Germany from December 1963 to December 1966 with the 3rd Armored Cavalry. I lived off post in a rented appartment from a wonderful German Family. Our son was born in the US Army Hospital Neubruecke, Germany May 18, 1965. The Aviation Company 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment was the only unit at the airfield. We were a reconnaissance outfit. When I was rotating back to the States they were packing up to be shipped to Vietnam. We use to go to Baumholder for our supplies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Memories | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Email from Frank M. Levy, son of Sgt Maj Fred Levy, 3rd ACR, 1955) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| My Father was
Sgt. Maj. Fred Levy the 3rd Armored Cavalry's 1st Regimental Sgt.
Maj. He served in the Regiment under Colonel Frazier and Colonel White.
I remember as a child sailing on the USNS Buckner under Operation
Gyroscope and arriving in Germany on August 14, 1955. I was 7 years
old at the time. I have many fond memories of our 3 years in Nurnburg, Germany and after when we returned to Fort Meade, MD. with the regiment. I believe that my father was instrumental in starting the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimental Museum while stationed in Fort Meade, MD. If you have any information about the museum I would appreciate hearing about it. My Father, Sgt. Major Fred Levy continued serving in the US army for 28 years before retiring to civilian life in Buffalo, NY. When he retired he was a US Army Advisor to the National Guard in Buffalo, NY. He was very proud to serve his country for 28 years and my family and I are very proud of him. Sgt. Maj. Fred Levy passed away in October 1994 after a long illness, but as we know old solders never die. Frank M. Levy |
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| (Source: STARS & STRIPES, Feb 10 1958) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3d Armd Cav Vets Go on Last Patrol BAYREUTH, Germany (Special) The same two men who led the 3d Armd Cav Regt's first patrols along the Iron Curtain 2½ years ago led the regiment's last patrols in Bavaria before preparing to Gyroscope to the U.S. Sfc Clyde Robbins and Sfc Marshall Norman, both with the 1st Bn's Co A, led the first patrols from the regiment's border stations Aug. 20, 1955. And the same two were selected to lead the last patrols before the regiment trades duty stations with the 2d Armd Cav Regt this month, 3d Armd Cav officials pointed out. One patrol went north from the border station, the other south. The men kept careful watch along the border, logging everything they saw on either side of the barrier and staying on the alert to report any unusual happenings immediately by radio. Following their custom, the patrols maintained no schedule or pattern. They did not follow the same routes or use the same schedules with any regularity. Accompanying the two patrol veterans on their last mission were Sp3 Richard Longsdorf and Sgt Robert Brown, scout observers, and Pvt Daniel Knight, driver. Others included Cpl Floyd Hicks, Pfc Carl Bragg, Pfc Aubrey Stallard, Pvt Dennis Beckett and Pvt Donald Hullinger. The 3d Armd Cav Regt begins moving to Ft. Meade, Md., Feb. 17, the day before the change-of-command ceremonies are scheduled. The 2d Armd Cav Regt will replace the 3d Cav in the same location the 2d held before the 3d took over here. |
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| (Source: STARS & STRIPES, Feb 13, 1958) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3d Cav Ending Europe Tour For 3d Time NURNBERG, Germany (Special) The 3d Armd Cav Regt is leaving Europe for the third time in less than half a century. The regiment that has patrolled the eastern borders of West Germany for the past three years. Tuesday will transfer command and operational control of its area to the 2d Armd Cav Regt. The 3d Cav then will begin the long journey back to its garrison station at Ft. Meade, Md. In addition to a successful tour of duty along the Iron Curtain, the regiment leaves behind a record of active participation in German-American programs and many friendships. It was just a little more than 39 years ago that the unit, then designated the 3d U.S. Cavalry, was first deployed to Europe. Its troops had been performing garrison duty at Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., following action in the Philippine Insurrection and Mexican border flareup. Sailed for England The entire regiment sailed Oct. 19, 1917, for Liverpool, England. One troop moved on into France to participate in the closing engagements of World War I. The main forces followed immediately after the Armistice was signed and for the next two years performed occupational duties in the Rhineland. On June 30, 1919, the troops returned to Ft. Myers, Va., ending the first European tour of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. During the 24 years preceding 1943 the 3d Cav underwent several changes of duty station. It was commanded by such distinguished combat leaders as Gen Jonathan Wainwright, Lucian Truseott and George S. Patton, Jr. After the U.S. entered World War II, the outfit was reorganized as a mechanized cavalry regiment and designated the 3d Cav Gp. This was the organization which, for the second time, sailed for combat action in Germany. Drive to Fulda The group landed in England in June 1944, and on Oct. 7 entered the Continent across the invasion beaches of Normandy to begin seven months of fighting across France, through Belgium and into the heart of Germany. Patton, then commanding the 3d Army, said in reviewing the exploits of the 3d Cav Gp: "The 3d Cavalry has lived up to the accolade bestowed upon it at Chapultepec by General Scott. As horse cavalry you were outstanding. I have never seen a better regiment. To your performance as mechanized cavalry this same remark applies. It is a distinct honor to have commanded an army in which the 3d served." First Gyro Move After a short tour of occupation duty in 1945, the 3d returned to the U.S. and was redesignated the 3d Armd Cav Regt. When the Gyroscope plan of replacing major units in overseas areas was started, the 3d Cav was deployed to Germany again. Six officers, 12 enlisted men and 35 dependents in the advance party composed the first Gyro packet in the Army's new method of rotating assignments. The regiment's main forces followed to establish its role in NATO's defensive shield, a post the 3d Cav now is transferring to its sister unit, the 2d Armd Cav Regt. |
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| Related Links: 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment - official website at Fort Hood, TX |
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(Amberg, 1955-58)
