3rd Infantry Division and Arlington National Cemetery

[erpowers]

Can anyone tell me why the 3rd Infantry Division was choosen to guard the Tomb of the Unknowns over the Marine Corps? I ask the question in that it just seems like the Marines would do that sort of thing and they are the ones that stand guard at the White House. I am not trying to insult the 3rd Infantry Division; I just will like to know how the decision was made.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Not enough Marines. They don't like doing guard duty at bases, etc.

and have consistently fought it. They used to guard naval bases that had an admiral in residence, now, they don't.

But, there just aren't enough Marines to go around. They're now even using overweight reservists to do funeral duty at Arlington.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. Well, according to Wikip*dia ...

Arlington National Cemetery and United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery are administered by the Department of the Army. The other National Cemeteries are administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or by the National Park Service.
Arlington House (Custis-Lee Mansion) and its grounds are administered by the National Park Service as a memorial to Lee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_National_Cemetery">Wikip*dia

It looks like the Army administers the cemetery, so they have the 3rd Infantry guard it.

If I read that right...

[atreides1]

3. Not the 3rd ID

It's the US 3rd Infantry Regiment the Old Guard.

Constituted 3 June 1784 in the Regular Army as the First American Regiment to consist of companies from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The 3rd Infantry Division is known as the "Rock of the Marne"

Activated in November 1917 during World War I at Camp Greene, North Carolina. It went into combat for the first time eight months later in France. At midnight on July 14, 1918, the Division earned lasting distinction. Engaged in the Aisne-Marne Offensive as a member of the American Expeditionary Force to Europe, the Division was protecting Paris with a position on the banks of the Marne River. While surrounding units retreated, the 3rd Infantry Division remained rock solid and earned its reputation as the "Rock of the Marne". Although the stand was highly successful, a steep price was paid. General "Black Jack" Pershing said the Division's performance one of the most brilliant of the United States' military history. During the war two members of the division were awarded the Medal of Honor.

They are two different and distinct units.

[TheDebbieDee]

4. 3rd Infantry Division was also the beneficiary of the

assignment of Audie Murphy, the most decorated US soldier of World War II.

[Hangingon]

6. The Broken TV set.

Love that DI. My son and nephew served in the 3rd ID. Proud unit.

[TheDebbieDee]

7. The shoulder patch..........

I was in 3rd ID (Foxtrot (Medical), 703rd Support BN) in the Wuerzburg, Germany area from December 86 - January 90. I have some fond memories of my time in Germany and I got through some tough emotional times there with the help of some great Army friends..........

[Hangingon]

9. Son got there to the 3rd in late '90.

He was in aviation down in Giebelstadt. The division was soon reflagged to the 1st ID and the 3rd was activated ib Georgia.

[Aristus]

10. I was in Delta 1/69th Armored, 2nd Brigade, 3rd ID at Kitzingen. November 1989-October 1991.

:hi:

[TheDebbieDee]

11. Harvey Barracks or Larson?

[Aristus]

12. Harvey.

The old Luftwaffe barracks...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Guard duty really, really, sucks.

I'm surprised the Marine Crotch didn't get stuck with it.

[HereSince1628]

8. Maybe it has something to do with Ft Myers and Arlington being

physically joined? I suspect the answer is hiding in Wikipedia.