"Spearhead" Patch

The shoulder patch insignia of the 3rd Armored Division has a distinct heraldic meaning and a proud history in its mixture of form, color, and symbols.  The basic pattern is that of three interlaced torques, no one of which would be sufficient without the other two. Combined, to form a single triangle, the device indicates integrity and esprit de corps. The predominating colors of the armored force patch, yellow, red and blue, are those of the basic arms: Cavalry, Field Artillery, and Infantry - all of which are components of the present integrated armored command and progenitors of the present armored force. The super-imposed black symbols have a more modern meaning: the tank track for mobility and armor protection, the cannon for fire power, and the bold of lightning to designate shock action. The Arabic numeral "3" is, of course, a division designation. The basic design and combination of colors are taken from the original insignia of World War I Tank Corps, plus that of various infantry-tank organizations; and the superimposed symbols from that of the old 7th Cavalry Brigade (Mechanized). Most modern component of the 3rd Armored Division patch is the SPEARHEAD flash which was authorized by Major General Maurice Rose after his division had brilliantly led many of the First Army's drives in France, Belgium, and Germany, during 1944 and 1945.