The 3rd Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion was activated on 16 June 1944 in Italy as Headquarters, Special Troops, 3rd Infantry Division. During WWII, the Battalion participated in Anzio campaign in Italy, followed by amphibious assault invading Southern France, subsequent movement up the Rhone River to join other American units in northeastern France and into Germany, capturing Hitler’s mountain retreat. DSTB ended the war in Salzburg, Austria.

The unit was re-designated as the 3rd Replacement Company, 3rd Infantry Division on 10 January 1949. Shortly after, the Battalion joined operations in Korea, in Hamhung-Hungnam area. In the final outcome, 3rd ID pushed enemy troops to the 38th Parallel.

The DSTB reorganized and re-designated on 1 July 1957 as the 3rd Administration Company and in 1972 as the 3rd Adjutant General Company. During this period, Battalion was stationed in Germany as a part of the main defense protecting Western Europe from the threat of attack by Eastern Bloc nations It was inactivated on 30 September 1985 in Germany and re-designated 16 May 2004 as Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The DSTB deployed to Iraq in 2005, 2007 and most recently in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn in October 2009. The Battalion’s decorations include two Presidential Unit Citations; one Meritorious Unit Commendation, two French Croix de Guerre, two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, and Bravery Gold Medal of Greece for Korea.

Deployment:

On our most recent deployment Soldiers of the Legion Battalion were responsible for providing critical information to the Division commander to enable him to make sound and timely decisions and execute battle command across the United States Division North Area of responsibility. They also provided Operational, intelligence, administrative and logistical support to the Commanders of the Bridge combat teams and Advise and assist Brigades. Additionally, Company and Battalion Staff elements provided Operational, administrative and logistical support to the twelve hundred Soldiers of Task Force Legion as well as Force Protection for over 20,000 Soldiers and Civilians of COB Speicher.