Category / inactivation

by Old Guard History

Inactivation –

On November 20, 1946, the 3rd Infantry Regiment inactivated at Berlin, Germany. The Regiment and its antecedents had been active since 1784, marking 162 years of continuous service. Caught up in the post-World War II draw down, the Regiment was part of the dwindling German occupation forces. The Old Guard arrived in Berlin the previous April to relieve units under the 78th Infantry Division. At the time of inactivation, the Old Guard was serving under the 23rd Corps. The Old Guard would re-activate 16 months later on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, beginning its service as the Army’s Official Ceremonial Unit and Escort to the President.
by Old Guard History

2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment Inactivated – October 15, 1970

On October 15, 1970, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) was inactivated at Fort Benning, Georgia. The 2nd Battalion re-activated four years earlier at Fort Benning, before deploying to Vietnam. During the deployment, the 2d Battalion participated in eleven campaigns and earned the Valorous Unit Award for its actions during the Tet Offensive (31 Jan – 19 Feb 1968). The 2nd Battalion was assigned to the 199th Infantry Brigade (known as the Redcatchers) throughout its deployment. The 2d Battalion was next re-activated on 16 March 2001, as part of the Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team under the 3d Brigade, 2d Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington.