Category:Third Army (United States) Heraldry

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia[edit]

Description[edit]

• On a blue disc 2¼ inches (5.72 cm) in diameter a white letter “A” with members ⅛ inch (.32 cm) wide within a red circle 2 inches (5.08 cm) in diameter and 3/16 inch (.48 cm) in width.

• COMBAT SERVICE IDENTIFICATION BADGE: A silver color metal and enamel device 2 inches (5.08 cm) in height consisting of a design similar to the shoulder sleeve insignia.

Symbolism[edit]

1. The flag colors of red, white, and blue are self-explanatory.
2. The red “O” surrounding the white “A” symbolized the 1st World War “Army of Occupation” duty of the Third United States Army, the previous designation of the unit.
3. The letter “A” indicates “Army”, and conforms in general, to designs used by the First United States Army.

Background[edit]

1. The shoulder sleeve insignia originally approved for Third Army on 1922-12-20.
2. It was redesignated for Third United States Army on 1960-11-10.
3. The insignia was redesignated for US Army Central with the symbolism updated on 2006-08-29.

Distinctive Unit Insignia[edit]

Description[edit]

• A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a blue disc with a red border, the blue area bearing throughout a white capital letter “A” (as depicted on the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia for US Army Central) in front of in base a gold stylized fleur-de-lis, the center petal of the fleur-de-lis extending behind and above the cross bar of the letter “A” and behind and below the red border and the tops of the two outer petals extending under, downward and over the red border and terminating at and conjoined with the feet of the letter “A” and the lower ends extending behind and below the red border which bears at top five gold five-pointed stars and the inscription “TERTIA SEMPER PRIMA” in gold letters, the word “TERTIA” in base and between the outer petals of the fleur-de-lis and the stars, the word “SEMPER” on the left and the word “PRIMA” on the right.

Symbolism[edit]

1. The design is based on the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia of US Army Central (formerly United States Third Army).
2. The fleur-de-lis in base alludes to the initial activation of the Headquarters, Third Army, at Ligny-en-Barrois, France, 1918-11-15.
3. The five stars refer to the five campaigns Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe, World War II in which the Third United States Army participated.
4. The motto reflects the Third Army’s constant readiness.

Background[edit]

1. The distinctive unit insignia was approved for Third United States Army on 1968-10-10.
2. It was redesignated for United States Army Central with the description and symbolism updated on 2006-08-29.

Flag[edit]

Description[edit]

• a. Size:

1. Hoist: Three Feet.
2. Fly: Four Feet.
3. Fringe: 2½”

• b. Design: The flag consists of two horizontal stripes of equal width, Fringed. Centered is the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, with Piping.

• c. Colors

1. Top Stripe: White
2. Bottom Stripe: Red
3. Insignia: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia; centered; proper; 15 inches high.
4. Piping: Countercharged of the Stripe Colors.
5. Fringe: Golden Yellow.

• d. Details

1. Flags are alike on both sides. Design elements appear on both sides as if printed through the material except as stated in 2 and 3 below.
2. Letters and numerals will read from left to right on both sides.
3. When a shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) design is used on a flag, the SSI design must appear proper on both sides.

• e. Materials

1. Flags designed primarily for indoor and parade display will normally be made of banner rayon or heavyweight nylon with rayon fringe.
2. Flags designed primarily for outdoor display will be made of nylon-wool or heavyweight nylon without fringe.