H.R. No. 17
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The U.S. Army 3rd Cavalry Regiment is marking the
175th anniversary of its founding in 2021, providing a fitting
opportunity to pay tribute to this historic unit; and
WHEREAS, Stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen since 2006, the
3rd Cavalry Regiment is the only heavy Armored Cavalry Regiment in
the U.S. Army; it traces its beginnings to May 19, 1846, when the
U.S. Congress authorized the establishment of a new military unit,
the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen; the regiment was soon deployed
for the Mexican-American War, and it was during this conflict that
it earned its moniker of "Brave Rifles" and its motto of "Blood and
Steel"; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to Major General Winfield Scott's army, the
riflemen saw combat in the Mexico City campaign at the Battle of
Cerro Gordo in April 1847; on September 13 of that year, elements of
the regiment made up the storming party on the fortress of
Chapultepec outside the enemy capital; the next morning, the
victorious unit raised the United States flag over the National
Palace; and
WHEREAS, At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, the
Regiment of Mounted Riflemen was redesignated as the 3rd United
States Cavalry Regiment; in December 1862, the unit joined the
Civil War Western Theater in Tennessee, and members of the 3rd
Cavalry also fought in Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina,
participating in the Chattanooga Campaign; at the conflict's end,
the regiment was sent to New Mexico to help settle the frontier and
to lend its support during the Indian Wars; and
WHEREAS, During the Spanish-American War in 1898, the 3rd
Cavalry played a key role in the attacks on San Juan and Kettle Hill
and placed the first American flag at the points of victory; at the
outbreak of World War I, the regiment transferred to Europe, and its
squadrons operated remount depots; and
WHEREAS, The regiment was renamed the 3rd Cavalry Group
(Mechanized) during World War II; landing in France in August 1944,
it spearheaded the XX Corps; the group subsequently resumed its
garrison activities in the U.S. and took on the 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment title; and
WHEREAS, The unit was a major part of American military
readiness throughout the Cold War, and in 1990, it was sent overseas
as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps; it deployed to the U.S. the
next year and in 1996 moved to Fort Carson in Colorado, where it was
headquartered until making its home at Fort Hood; and
WHEREAS, Among its many important missions, the 3rd Cavalry
Regiment has seen extensive action in modern-day conflicts,
including the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom; today,
the unit is a highly mobile force that conducts reconnaissance,
security, offensive, and defensive operations; and
WHEREAS, For 175 years, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment has
exemplified the highest ideals of the United States armed forces,
and the many brave men and women who have served the unit are indeed
worthy of our appreciation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 175th
anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army 3rd Cavalry Regiment
and extend to all of its members sincere best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the 3rd Cavalry Regiment as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Buckley
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 17 was adopted by the House on
September 30, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House