3rd Armored Division

Scan by Bob Berk

Division 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 inter-
laced torques, no one of which would be sufficient without the
other two. Combined, to form a single triangle, the device indi-
cates 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.

From a 1945 publication

Tank formation