The 3rd Ordnance Battalion (unofficially referred to as the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion) is a unit of the United States Army currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis–McChord. It is assigned to the 71st Ordnance GroupatFort Carson, Colorado, which is under the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Command, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1+5⁄32 inches (2.9 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, on a bend between a spur gear and a feather palm tree, Or, three torteaux. Attached below the shield a Red scroll turned Gold inscribed "SERVICE, NOT GLORY" in Gold letters.[1]
Crimson (red) and yellow (gold) are the colors of the Ordnance Branch. The torteaux, simulating cannon balls, allude to the numerical designation of the unit. The spur gear represents maintenance, and the palm tree is characteristic of the flora of the countryside where the battalion was organized, i.e., Southern California.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 3d Ordnance Battalion (Maintenance) on 26 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 3d Ordnance Battalion on 14 April 1955.
Shield: Gules (Crimson), on a bend between a spur gear and a feather palm tree Or, three torteaux of the field.
Crest: From a wreath Or and Gules (Crimson), a shell palewise Sable charged with four mullets in pale of the second, flanked on either side by two pheons Proper.
Motto: Service Not Glory
Symbolism:
Shield: The background is crimson and the bend is yellow, the colors of the Ordnance Branch. The torteaux, simulating cannon balls, allude to the numerical designation of the unit. The spur gear represents maintenance, and the palm tree is characteristic of the flora of the countryside where the battalion was organized, i.e., Southern California.
Crest: Crimson and yellow are the colors traditionally used by Ordnance. The shell suggests ammunition, highlighting the mission of the battalion as explosive and ammunition disposal. It is charged with four stars symbolizing the unit's decorations. The two pheons represent the organization's service in World War II and Vietnam.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion on 14 September 1942. It was rescinded on 14 April 1955. It was reinstated for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion on 20 May 1997. The insignia was amended to include a crest on 27 July 1998.
Sgt. Tyler Cole, from Kansas City, Mo., a Soldier with the 53d Ordnance Company, 3d Ordnance Battalion (EOD), walks back after viewing a possible simulated explosive ordnance during the team leader certification at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Wash., 23 June 2009
Subordinate units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
The 3d Ordnance Battalion (Ammunition) was assigned to Vietnam in October 1965. Garrisoned at Long Binh Post, the battalion constructed living quarters and an ammunition supply point.
Units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
54th Ordnance Company
40th Ordnance Company
60th Ordnance Company
71st Ordnance Company
78th Ordnance Detachment
550th Ordnance Detachment
551st Ordnance Detachment
576th Ordnance Company
Attached Security Units:
Company E (Rifle Security), 14th Infantry
Company C (Rifle Security), 87th Infantry
After HHC, 3d Ordnance Battalion and 60th Ordnance Company were inactivated on 29 April 1972, the last remaining unit (576th Ordnance Company) was assigned to the U.S. Army Supply Depot, Long Binh (USADLB) under whose command it continued to operate the Long Binh Ammunition Depot until all remaining stocks were transferred to the newly constructed ARVN ammunition supply point located in a former portion of the U.S. Army Long Binh Ammunition Depot (USLBAD).
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Taukkunen Barracks, Worms
4th Ordnance Company, Miesau
The 3d Ordnance Battalion transferred back to the 59th Ordnance Brigade in June 1985.
Units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Taukkunen Barracks, Worms
4th Ordnance Company, Miesau
41st Ordnance Company, Vogelweh
In 1990 the 3d Ordnance Battalion had the mission of removing 110,000 chemical projectiles (8" and 155mm nerve agent rounds) from Germany during Operation Steel Box.
Units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Pirmasens[2]
9th Ordnance Company, Miesau
164th Military Police Company, Miesau
330th Ordnance Company, Münchweiler
110th Military Police Company, Münchweiler
563d Ordnance Company, Wiesbaden
41st Ordnance Company, Kaiserslautern
98th Chemical Detachment, Münchweiler
763d Medical Detachment, Münchweiler
41st Ordnance Detachment, Fischbach
The 3d Ordnance Battalion was inactivated in December 1990.
United States of America
United States Army
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