why was the american 3rd armoured division disbanded ? do you feel sad ?

The reunification of Germany removed the communist border they stood guard over. The entire northern area of the US occupation zone is now void of all US Army and Air Force. I was in 3rd Armour/V Corps area 74-76. Back then we faced a 10 to 1 armored disadvantage and had things in bunkers with "dial a yield". All that is not required any longer.

The re org into Brigade Combat Teams moved armor into Heavy Brigades. The 82nd AB is the only Division who's name truly describes the actual mission of the Division. All others keep their names only to keep the unit names on the roster.

An example is the old 7th Cavalry that suffered Custer's last stand. They exist in name in 3 locations. 1 Bn in Korea with the 2nd ID, 1 on Hood with the 1st Cav (Air Assault) or 4th ID, 1 on Stewart with the 3rd ID. Even the 101st Airborne is not airborne. They lost jump status in 1968, a very overlooked fact.

The only thing permanent is change.

3rd AD was disbanded in the mid to late 90's along with the 2nd AD, 7,8, and 24TH ID as part of the new BRAC program implemented by Frmr Pres Clinton in order to curb a recession. It is very likely that some element of these units still exists but under another division.

Units are "disbanded" and/or re-flagged all the time. It really has no meaning, except to make the higher-ups' organizational charts look the way that they want them to.

It wasn't needed anymore. Half the units I served in have had their flags stored away. It happens.