Third United States Army

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=United States Army Central


caption=United States Army Central shoulder sleeve insignia
country=United States of America
allegiance=Federal
type=Field Army
branch=Regular Army
dates=November 7, 1918 – July 2, 1919
August 3, 1932 – 1974
1982 – Present
specialization=
command_structure=
size=
current_commander=LTG James J. Lovelace
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
nickname=
motto="Tertia Semper Prima" (The Third Always First)
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=World War I
Occupation of Germany {1919}
World War II
Occupation of Germany {1945}
Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
notable_commanders=George S. Patton
Courtney Hodges
John Yeosock
Tommy Franks
David D. McKiernan
Albert J. McCurdy Jr.
anniversaries=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Distinctive Unit Insignia
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=CFLCC Logo
United States Army Central, formerly the Third United States Army was a field army of the United States Army. It has since become the Army Component of Central Command (ARCENT) and the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) for the Central Command CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR), operating primarily in Northern Africa and Central and Southwest Asia. It is the primary logistics element for all land forces in the CENTCOM AOR. The Third Army is also known as ""Patton's Own."

Activation and World War I

The Third United States Army was first activated as a formation during the First World War on November 7, 1918, at Chaumont, France, when the General Headquarters of the American Expeditionary Forces issued General Order 198 organizing the Third Army and announcing its headquarters staff. On the 15th, Major General Joseph T. Dickman assumed command and issued Third Army General Order No. 1.

First mission

On November 15, 1918, Major General Dickman was given the mission to move quickly and by any means into Central Germany on occupation duties. He was to disarm and disband German forces as ordered by General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces.

The march into Germany for occupation duty was begun on November 17, 1918. By December 15 the Third Army Headquarters at Mayen opened at Coblenz. Two days later, on December 17, 1918, the Coblenz bridgehead, consisting of a pontoon bridge and three railroad bridges across the Rhine, had been established.

Third Army troops had encountered no hostile act of any sort. In the occupied area, both food and coal supplies were sufficient. The crossing of the Rhine by the front line divisions was effected in good time and without confusion. Troops, upon crossing the Rhine and reaching their assigned areas, were billeted preparatory to occupying selected positions for defense. The strength of the Third Army as of December 19, the date the bridgehead occupation was completed, was 9,638 officers and 221,070 enlisted men.

Third Army advance

On December 12, Field Order No. 11 issued, directed the Third Army to occupy the northern sector of the Coblenz bridgehead, with the advance elements to cross the Rhine river at seven o'clock, December 13. The northern (left) boundary remained unchanged. The southern (right) boundary was as has been previously mentioned.

Before the advance the 1st Division passed to the command of the III Corps. With three divisions, the 1st, 2d, and 32d, the III Corps occupied the American sector of the Coblenz bridgehead, the movement of the troops into position beginning at the scheduled hour, December 13. The four bridges available for crossing the river within the Coblenz bridgehead were the pontoon bridge and railroad bridge at Coblenz, the railroad bridges at Engers and Remagen. On December 13 the advance began with the American khaki crossing the Rhine into advanced positions. On the same day the 42d Division passes to the command of the IV Corps, which, in support of the III Corps, continued its march to occupy the Kreise of Mayen, Ahrweiler, Adenau, and Cochem.

The VII Corps occupied under the same order that portion of the Regierungsbezirk of Trier within army limits.

On December 15 Third Army Headquarters at Mayen opened at Coblenz: III Corps Headquarters at Polch opened at Neuwied and IV Corps Headquarters remained at Cochem, with the VII Corps at Grevenmacher. In crossing the Rhine on the shortened front — from Rolandseck to Rhens on the west bank — the Third Army encountered no hostile act of any sort. In the occupied area both food and coal supplies were sufficient.

By the night of December 14, Third Army troops had occupied their positions on the perimeter of the Coblenz bridgehead.

* [Source: "Crossing the Rhine," History of the American Third Army, November 14, 1918 to July 2, 1919, Third Army, A.E.F., July 2, 1919.]

Army of Occupation

During January 1919, the Third Army was engaged in training and preparing the troops under its command for any contingency. A letter of instruction was circulated to lower commanders prescribing a plan of action in case hostilities were resumed. Installations were set up throughout the Army area to facilitate command.

In February, military schools were opened through the Third Army area; a quartermaster depot was organized; 2,000 officers and enlisted men left to take courses in British and French universities; better leave facilities were created; and plans for sending American divisions to the United States were made. On February 4, the military control of the Stadtkreis of Trier was transferred from GHQ to the Third Army.

In March, routine duties of occupation and training were carried on; an Army horse show was held; Army, corps, and divisional educational centers were established in the Third Army Zone; the Coblenz port commander took over the duties of the Coblenz regulating officer; the 42d Division was released from IV Corps and was placed in Army Reserve.

In April, the exodus of American divisions from Third Army to the United States began. During the month, motor transport parks were established; an Army motor show was held; the Army area was reorganized; and the centralization of military property was initiated in anticipation of returning it to the United States. On April 20, 1919, Third Army command changed from Maj. Gen. Dickman to Lt. Gen. Hunter Liggett.

Prepare to advance

On May 14, Marshal Ferdinand Foch, General-in-Chief of the Allied Armies, submitted plans of operations to the Third Army commander to be used in the event that Germany should refuse to sign the peace treaty. On May 20, Marshal Foch directed allied commanders to dispatch troops toward Weimar and Berlin in the event the peace treaty was not signed. On May 22, the Third Army issued its plan of advance, effective May 30, in view of the impending emergency. On May 27, Marshal Foch informed General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief, AEF, that the Supreme War Council desired allied armies be made ready immediately to resume active operations against the Germans.

On June 1, the advance GHQ, AEF, at Trier was discontinued. On June 16, Marshal Foch notified General Pershing that allied armies must be ready after June 20 to resume offensive operations and that preliminary movements were to begin June 17. On June 19, General Pershing notified Marshal Foch that beginning June 23 the Third Army would occupy the towns of Limburg, Westerburg, Hachenburg, and Altenkirchen and that III Corps would seize the railroad connecting these towns. On June 23, the Germans signified their intention to sign the peace treaty and contemplated operations were suspended. On June 30, Foch and Pershing conferred in regard to American troops to be left on the Rhine.

A separate peace

On July 1, General Pershing notified the War Department that upon Germany's compliance with military conditions imposed upon her (probably within three months after German ratification of the treaty), the American forces in Europe would be reduced to a single regiment of infantry supplemented by necessary auxiliaries. Accordingly the Third Army was disbanded on July 2, 1919. Its headquarters and all personnel (numbering about 6,800 men) and units under it were thereafter designated American Forces in Germany. This force would subsequently remain in Germany for over three years. This was due, at least part, to the fact that United States, having rejected the Treaty of Versailles, was therefore technically still at war with Germany. This situation remained unresolved until the summer of 1921 when a separate peace treaty was signed.

Reactivation and the inter-War period

Third Army did not see the light of day again until 1932. On August 9 of that year, in a reorganisation of field forces in the United States, four field armies, Third Army amongst them, were activated, to control the formations of the U.S. Army stationed on home soil. Until the buildup of American forces prior to its entry into World War II, Third Army remained largely a paper formation. It held training exercises periodically, but these were almost never adequate.

World War II

Mobilization saw Third Army take on the role of training some of the huge numbers of recruits that the draft was bringing into the Armed Forces. Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, later to gain fame for his command of Sixth Army during operations in the Pacific commanded Third Army from May 1941 until February 1943. Under his leadership, the basis of the Army's later success as a combat formation was laid. Krueger was succeeded by Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges who led the Army for the rest of 1943. The news that many had expected came in December 1943. Third Army was shipped from the U.S. to the United Kingdom.

Third Army did not take part in the initial stages of Operation Overlord. However, when it did take the field, its field of combat suited the style of its commander far more. Lieutenant General George Patton was one of the U.S. Army's greatest exponents of armored warfare. When Third Army was moved to France, it was just after Bradley's formations had achieved the breakout from Normandy. Third Army followed up on that success and began a great dash across France. It was only the inevitability of logistics problems that halted Patton's force near the borders of Germany.

After a period of consolidation, Third Army was ready to go on the offensive again. However, the Germans then launched their last great offensive of the war - the Battle of the Bulge. This battle was an attempt to repeat the decisive breakthrough of 1940. However, in 1944, the Germans were doomed to failure. Their own logistical problems surfaced, and they ground to a halt. Nevertheless, they had broken the U.S. front, and it took a great effort to reduce the resulting salient. In one of the great moves of the war, Patton turned Third Army's axis of advance through ninety degrees and set it upon the south of the German forces. The German salient was reduced by the end of January 1945, and the remainder of the process of closing up to the Rhine could be completed. Some vicious fighting took place, but by April there was but one great natural barrier between Third Army and the heart of Germany. Unlike in 1918, the crossing of the Rhine was opposed. However, the bridgehead was won, and Third Army embarked on another great eastward dash. It reached Austria and in May liberated the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camps complex. Its forces ended up in Czechoslovakia, the furthest east of any American units.

German occupation

Occupation beckoned again, and Third Army took up the challenge of starting to rebuild postwar Germany. Third Army remained in Germany until recalled to the United States again in 1947. When back in the United States, its duties were much the same as those of the 1930s, acting as a command and training force for units in the United States. The Korean War saw a repeat of the earlier WW II training duties. The Third Army remained responsible for this aspect of U.S. Armed Forces operations until 1974, when a new major headquarters, that of Forces Command, or FORSCOM was activated to replace Third Army. Third Army was thus deactivated, and it remained so for the best part of a decade.

ARCENT

On December 3, 1982, a special ceremony was held at Fort McPherson to mark the return to Active Army status of Headquarters, Third U.S. Army under the command of Lt. Gen. M. Collier Ross. Distinguished guests at the event included former Third Army Commanders, Gen. (Ret.) Herbert B. Powell and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Louis W. Truman.

The new headquarters was established at Fort McPherson, and its new mission was to serve as the Army component in a unified command, the United States Central Command, which has responsibility over a vast overseas area covering parts of Africa, Asia, and the Persian Gulf.

For its part, Third Army could draw upon a reservoir of Army units, and became responsible for planning, exercising, and rapidly deploying these units in crisis situations.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/contingency.asp|title=Third Army is reborn as ARCENT|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm

It was not until 1990 that Third Army returned to combat. Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August 1990, and American forces were immediately dispatched to Saudi Arabia to protect that kingdom. Since Saudi Arabia came within the CENTCOM area, Third Army was sent to command the Army units in theatre. At first, XVIII Corps made up the forces assigned to Third Army; only enough men to ensure that the Iraqis could not invade Saudi Arabia. However, in November 1990, massive reinforcements were announced in the form of VII Corps from Germany. This deployment marked the largest use of armoured formations by the U.S. since WWII, and thus it was fitting that Patton's old command, Third Army, should have control of the battle. By the opening of hostilities, XVIII Corps had three American and one French division and VII Corps four American and one British divisions under command, thus giving Third Army a total of nine divisions under its command, plus the armored cavalry regiments attached to both corps.

Third Army was the main striking force in Operation Desert Storm. Its units were on the left flank of the attacking force and swept into southern Iraq. They then turned east and engaged the Iraqi Republican Guard in fierce combat. Much of that force was destroyed. In terms of its immediate aims, The Persian Gulf War was a stunning success. The Iraqis were ejected from Kuwait and their forces were thoroughly mauled. However, over the longer term, it became clear to some political theorists that more operations would eventually be necessary. Throughout the 1990s, there was indecision on the part of the American Government over whether those operations should take place or not.

Checking aggression

Third Army/ARCENT remained engaged in Southwest Asia after the end of the Persian Gulf War with various operations to enforce the cease fire.

Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR

In October 1994, ARCENT was again called upon to command, control, and deploy Army forces to Kuwait in support of freedom during Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR.

Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR was initiated in response to Saddam Hussein’s saber-rattling and posturing of Iraqi military forces along the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border. This act of aggression threatened to upset the delicate balance of peace in the region.

ARCENT's rapid generation and deployment of a formidable Army force clearly demonstrated U.S. resolve and commitment to its friends and allies in the region.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/checking.asp|title=Third Army History - Checking Aggression|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation VIGILANT SENTINEL

Less than one year later, Saddam Hussein would again deploy Iraqi forces close to its border with Kuwait. In August, Third Army/ARCENT provided command and control for a rapid deployment of a heavy brigade task force. Once more, Iraqi threats were decisively met while ARCENT simultaneously conducted a major training exercise in Egypt, "BRIGHT STAR 95," involving military forces from 6 other nations. This contingency operation validated critical procedures for deployment, particularly the off loading of equipment from floating prepositioning ships and its distribution to arriving soldiers. The deployment of a "Fly-Away Package" of key contingency staff also validated procedures for a rapidly deployed command and control group able to conduct combat operations immediately upon arrival. VIGILANT SENTINEL's immediate, measured, and effective response to Iraqi aggression quickly convinced Hussein to withdraw his forces from the Kuwaiti border.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/checking.asp|title=Third Army History - Checking Aggression|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation DESERT STRIKE

In September 1996, Iraq violated United Nations sanctions by deploying forces north of the 36th Parallel and attacking ethnic Kurds in Northern Iraq. In response to Hussein's refusal to cease these attacks on the Kurdish people, the U.S. launched cruise missile strikes against selected military targets inside Iraq. As tensions remained high in the region, a heavy brigade task force was deployed to Kuwait under the command of Third Army/ARCENT to deter potential retaliatory attacks on Kuwait. Hussein soon capitulated, withdrawing his military forces south of the 36th Parallel. cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/checking.asp|title=Third Army History - Checking Aggression|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation DESERT THUNDER I

When Saddam Hussein blocked United Nations weapons inspections, tested the resolve of coalition commitment by violating the no-fly zone, and publicly threatened to shoot down U2 reconnaissance over-flights in the Fall of 1997, CENTCOM responded with a land, sea, and air strike force of more than 35,000 U.S. and coalition forces. In support of this powerful multi-service, multinational ground force, General Anthony C. Zinni, Commander-in-Chief, CENTCOM, established a permanent Coalition/ Joint Task Force (C/JTF), headquartered at Camp Doha, Kuwait, and commanded by Lieutenant General Tommy R. Franks, Commanding General, Third Army/ARCENT.

In addition to the U.S. and coalition forces already in Kuwait, a brigade task force from 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., rapidly deployed to Kuwait. Departing from Hunter Army Airfield, the brigade task force deployed 4,000 personnel and 2,900 short tons of equipment on 120 aircraft. Within 15 hours of landing at Kuwait City International Airport, the unit had drawn prepositioned equipment and was in battle positions in the desert. On Feb. 28, Coalition/Joint Task Force-Kuwait was prepared to defend Kuwait with a ground force strength of more than 9,000 personnel.

Argentina, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom, and Kuwait rounded out the C/JTF by providing liaison teams, aircraft support, special operations elements, Chemical/Biological, Base Defense Units, MASH units, and medical personnel.

Added to forces on the ground was equipment for two more brigades (one Army and one Marine) afloat in the Persian Gulf with the Maritime Preposition Force. These ships were poised to link up with soldiers and Marines who would draw their equipment and head to the front if required. Attack air provided by Navy, Air Force, and Coalition assets rounded out this formidable force.

This was the largest multinational force assembled in Southwest Asia since the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War.

The demonstrated capability to quickly deploy combat forces from around the world successfully deterred Iraqi aggression and helped reinstate compliance with the UN Weapons Inspection Program. In November 1998, when the work of the UN inspectors was again interrupted, Third Army quickly returned to the Persian Gulf to convince Saddam that the United States stood ready to enforce the terms of the cease-fire.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/checking.asp|title=Third Army History - Checking Aggression|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation DESERT THUNDER II

As Saddam Hussein violated United Nations sanctions and threatened regional stability, we began deploying to Kuwait and preparing for combat operations. Coalition/Joint Task Force-Kuwait, in place since DESERT THUNDER I, played a key role in the rapid deployment, reception, staging, onward movement, and integration of forces.

Units deploying to Kuwait included advance parties from the 3d Infantry Division and the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC), personnel from the Theater Support Command (TSC), Air Support Operations Center (ASOC), and Marine Forces. In addition, the redeployment of the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in the Persian Gulf was placed on hold and a second Marine Expeditionary Unit was ordered to the Persian Gulf as reinforcement.

While forces were deploying to the Persian Gulf region, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan flew to Baghdad to meet with Saddam Hussein.

Following negotiations, Saddam Hussein agreed to allow uninterrupted resumption of United Nations weapons inspections. In mid-Nov, as the crisis defused, there were 2,300 personnel deployed to Kuwait in support of C/JTF-Kuwait.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/checking.asp|title=Third Army History - Checking Aggression|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation DESERT FOX

When Iraqi aircraft began challenging the established no-fly zones, and Iraqi Air Defense systems fired on allied aircraft in Dec. 1998, U.S. and U.K. forces responded with a massive display of firepower.

Allied air force and navy aircraft, and Cruise Missiles engaged command and control, communications, and selected Republican Guards targets on the morning of Dec. 16. These concentrated attacks against Iraqi targets continued until the early morning of Dec 19.

During the campaign, Third Army again deployed forces to defend Kuwait, and to reassure our Allies in the Persian Gulf region.

By late Dec, C/JTF-Kuwait consisted of approximately 6,000 personnel, including the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/history/checking.asp|title=Third Army History - Checking Aggression|publisher=Third US Army|year=2007]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

After several months of diplomatic maneuver, Third Army was deployed in early 2003. The forces it had under its command for Operation Iraqi Freedom were much smaller in numbers than those it had commanded twelve years before. It had V Corps as its main striking force, with only two complete divisions and an airborne brigade under that command. There was also I MEF, controlling a further two divisions and a brigade. However, numbers were made up for by the advances in technology which rendered this force one of incredible power. It took six weeks to complete the conquest of Iraq, with 3rd Infantry Division, the heavy armour component of V Corps moving faster than even Patton had managed during his great dash across France.

The aftermath of the campaign saw Third Army headquartered in Baghdad, directing its third occupation within one hundred years.

Current role

As of July 2005 , Third U.S. Army is headquartered at Fort McPherson, Georgia with a forward element at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Administratively called ARCENT again, it continues to serve as the Army Component Command for CENTCOM, and the forward element is serving as the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC).Provides support and services to theater ARFOR commands, as well as directed Army support to other services.

Focusing primarily on the Middle East, Central Command and Third Army's area of responsibility (AOR) is a large and complex region. It stretches from the Central Asian States to the Horn of Africa. The AOR encompasses an area of approximately 6.5 million square miles consisting of 27 countries populated by over 650 million people speaking 12 major languages and representing seven major religions. Within this strategically important region lay the historical crossroads of three continents, the majority of the world's oil and natural gas reserves, and the primary maritime link between Europe and Asia. Resources, differing geography, religious influences, and historical conflict have shaped this region for centuries and continue to do so today.

In keeping with US National Security Strategy, Third Army supports U.S. Central Command through a Theater Security Cooperation strategy that encompasses the four fundamentals of the National Military Strategy. Third Army maintains a continued forward presence, conducts joint and coalition exercises throughout the region, provides humanitarian assistance when needed, develops close partnerships with responsible nations, assists in demining efforts, and provides support to other military service components. Third Army is prepared to rapidly respond by developing and executing war plans and contingency missions as required. This strategy provides the President with a wide range of options to deter aggression and coercion from a forward presence posture, and to decisively defeat any adversary if deterrence fails across the full spectrum of conflict.cite web|url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/welcome/index.asp|title=Third Army Commanding General's Welcome Letter|publisher=arcent.army.mil|year=2007]

Commanding generals

* LTG James J. Lovelace CG (December 2007)
* LTG R. Steven Whitcomb CG (October 2004- December 2007)
* LTG David D. McKiernan CG (2002 to October 2004)
* LTG Paul T. Mikolashek CG (2000-2002)
* LTG Tommy Franks CG (1997-2000)
* MG Robert R. Ivany CG (1997)
* LTG Steven L. Arnold CG (1994-1997)
* LTG James R. Ellis CG (1992-1994)
* LTG John J. Yeosock CG (1989-1992)
* LTG Andrew Chambers CG (1987-1989)
* LTG T.G. Jenes, Jr. CG (1984-1987)
* LTG William J. Livsey CG (1983-1984)
* LTG M. Collier Ross CG (1982-1983)

:Unit Deactivated (1973-1982)

* MG Warren Bennett CG (1973)
* LTG Melvin Zais CG (June 20, 1972 to June 14, 1973)
* LTG Albert O. Connor CG (1969-1972)
* LTG John L. Throckmorton CG (1967-1969)
* LTG Louis W. Truman CG (1965-1967)
* LTG William C. Bullock Acting CG (1965)
* LTG Charles W.G. Rich CG (1964-1965)
* LTG John W. Bowen Acting CG (1964)
* LTG Albert Watson II CG (1963-1964)
* LTG Hamilton H. Howze Acting CG (1962-1963)
* LTG Thomas J.H. Trapnell CG (1961-1962)
* LTG Paul D. Adams CG (1960-1961)
* LTG Thomas J.H. Trapnell CG (1960)
* LTG Herbert B. Powell CG (1960)
* LTG Robert F. Sink Acting CG (1960)
* LTG Clark L. Ruffner CG (1958-1960)
* LTG Thomas F. Hickey CG (1955-1958)
* LTG Alexander Bolling CG (1952-1955)
* MG William A. Beiderlinden CG (1952)
* GEN John R. Hodge CG (1950-1952)
* LTG Alvan C. Gillem, Jr. CG (1947-1950)
* LTG Edward H. Brooks Acting CG (1947)
* LTG Oscar Griswold CG (1947)
* MG Ernest N. Harmon CG (1947)
* LTG Geoffrey Keyes CG (1946-1947)
* GEN L.K. Truscott, Jr. CG (October 7, 1945 to April 1946)
* GEN George S. Patton, Jr. CG (August 1, 1944 to November 1945)
* GEN Courtney Hodges CG (1943-1944)
* GEN Walter Krueger CG (1941-1943)
* LTG Herbert J. Brees CG (1940-1941)
* LTG Stanley D. Embick CG (1938-1940)
* MG George V.H. Moseley CG (1936-1938)
* MG Frank Parker CG (1936)
* MG Johnson Hagood CG (1933-1936)
* MG Edwin B. Winans CG (1932-1933)

:Unit Deactivated (1919-1932)

* LTG Hunter Liggett CG (April 20, 1919 to July 2, 1919)
* MG Joseph T. Dickman CG (November 7, 1918 to April 20, 1919)

Deputy Commanding General

# MG David Petraeus 2007-present
# MG Dennis E. Hardy DCG (2006-Present)
# MG James A. Kelley DCG (2005-2006)
# MG Gary D. Speer DCG (2004-2005)
# MG Stephen M. Speakes DCG ( )
# MG Antonio M. Taguba DCG ( )
# MG Henry Stratman DCG ( )
# MG Warren C. Edwards DCG (1999-2002)
# MG Charles C. Campbell DCG (1998-1999)

Command Sergeant Major

# CSM Franklin G. Ashe CSM (2005-Present)
# CSM Julian A. Kellman CSM (2004-2005)
# CSM John D. Sparks CSM (2002-2004)
# CSM Vincent M. Myers CSM (2000-2002)
# CSM Dwight J. Brown CSM (2000)
# CSM Robert T. Hall CSM (1996-2000)

Chief of Staff

# COL William Norman CofS (2006-Present)
# COL Richard P. McEvoy CofS (2004-2006)
# COL John L. Della Jacono CofS (2003-2004)
# MG Robert Blackman CofS (2002-2003)
# COL John L. Della Jacono CofS (2002)
# COL Mark S. Wentlent CofS (2000-2002)
# COL Peter J. Deperro CofS (1997-2000)

Units of the Third Army

*1st Sustainment Command (Theater): 26 APR 2006 - Present
*V Corps: 1945-??, 1990-91, 2003-??
*VII Corps: 1990-91
*XII Corps: 1944-??
*XVIII Airborne Corps: 1990-91
*87th Infantry Division Nov. 1944

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.arcent.army.mil/ U.S. Army Central official website]