3rd Bn 28th Inf, FRG

• Unit Lineage: The 3rd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment ("Black Lions") traces its roots back to the Civil War, serving with distinction in multiple major conflicts throughout U.S. history. • Cold War Service: During the Cold War, the battalion was stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) as part of the U.S. Army’s forward-deployed forces to deter Soviet aggression and support NATO. • Garrison Location: In the 1970s and 1980s, 3rd Battalion, 28th Infantry was based at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany, a key post for U.S. Army Europe operations. • Division Assignment: The battalion served as part of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), a major U.S. force in Central Europe during the Cold War. • Reforger Exercises: The 3-28 Infantry frequently participated in the annual REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) exercises, which tested NATO’s ability to rapidly reinforce Europe in case of a Warsaw Pact attack. • Distinctive Insignia: The 28th Infantry Regiment’s insignia features a black lion, hence the nickname "Black Lions," symbolizing courage and strength. • Vietnam Legacy: Although the 3rd Battalion did not serve in Vietnam, other battalions of the 28th Infantry Regiment are noted for their intense combat operations there, most famously at the Battle of Ong Thanh. • Unit Motto: The regiment’s motto is "Guardians of the Frontier," reflecting its role in defending the frontlines during both World Wars and the Cold War. • Deactivation: The battalion was inactivated in the early 1990s as part of the post-Cold War drawdown and the reorganization of U.S. Army forces in Europe. • Veteran Community: Former members of the 3-28 Infantry maintain active veteran groups and reunions, preserving the unit’s history and camaraderie long after its inactivation.