3rd Infantry Regiment

Authorised 6 May 1959

A gold color metal device 1 1/2 inches (3.81cm) in width overall consisting of a wreath supporting an Infantry officer's cocked hat of 1784 with plume. The insignia is the crest of the coat of arms of the regiment, without color.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved on 6 May 1959. It was amended on 13 July 1965 to correct the description. On 15 November 1999, the insignia was amended to update the description.

Authorised 10 January 1921

Argent, six pallets Gules an escutcheon blazoned "Argent a mount Vert debruising all but the embattlements of a castle and tower Gules" on a chief Azure three crosses patee of the first. [When desired, the shield of the coat of arms may be encircled with an Infantry officer's dress belt (paragraph 2, Special Regulation 42, 1917) Or bar tierced Celestial Blue edged Sable with the buckle plate of the period of the first at top between the designation "3 Infantry" and the date "1784," and inscribed in base the motto "Noli Me Tangere," all lettered Sable; the arms and belt surmounting a triangular bayonet of the Civil War era and the Regiment's drum major's Chapultepec baton in saltire all Proper, the baton being the one made from the City of Mexico flag pole at the time of its capture, and still in the possession of the 3d Infantry. The encircling belt with crossed bayonet and baton will not be used on the organizational color]. On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure an Infantry officer's cocked hat Sable trimmed of the first, cockade of the third, center medallion and plume White. NOLI ME TANGERE.

This regiment has a continuous history since 1784. The charge on the shield symbolizes the distinguished services rendered by the regiment during the Mexican War. At Cerro Gordo the 3d and 7th Infantry carried the heights of Telegrafo Hill, crowned with strong defenses, the keynote of the enemy's position. At Churusbusco the 3d Infantry was in the column which assaulted the citadel and General Scott's report states "the white flags (of surrender) were not exhibited until the moment when the 3d Infantry under Captain Alexander, had cleared the way by fire and bayonet and had entered the work." Captain Alexander then planted the colors of the regiment on the balcony. The regiment also took part in the attack on the citadel of Chapultepec and was one of the first to enter the City of Mexico. It will be noted that the hill, battlements and field are in the Mexican colors. The Chief commemorates the Civil War where the regiment served in Sykes' Division, the badge of which was a white maltese cross: Three of these are used in allusion to the regiment's numerical designation. The baton used as one of the supporters was made from the flagstaff of the Capitol Building in the City of Mexico at the time of its capture and is still in the possession of the regiment. The remainder of the arms is self-explanatory.

The coat of arms was originally approved on 10 January 1921. It was amended on 2 December 1968 to correct the symbolism. On 15 November 1999, the coat of arms was amended to correct the blazon. The coat of arms was amended to change the color of the wreath on 2 July 2004.

Authorised 15 April 1922

A black leather strap 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) wide with buff leather strap 1/4 inch (.64 cm) wide "woven" in the middle a simulation of the old buff and black knapsack strap. To be worn on left shoulder only of coat and overcoat at the junction of the sleeve and shoulder with two buff sections showing in front).

When this unit was under the command of General Anthony Wayne (1792-96), the special markings on the uniform were buff piping and black hair plumes. From this combination the regimental colors became buff and black, and for many years the unit was nicknamed the "Buff Sticks." It is related that men of the 3d Infantry, proud of their distinctive colors, at one time displayed these colors by weaving a broad strip of rawhide (natural buff color) in the broad black shoulder strap of the knapsack carried at that time. This buff and black knapsack strap effect is perpetuated in the distinctive trimming.

The distinctive trimming was approved on 15 April 1922.

A gold color metal and enamel device 2 inches (5.08 cm) in height consisting of a design similar to the U.S. Army Military District of Washington shoulder sleeve insignia with the Honor Guard Tab above.