Yea, in the Artillery, the guys in the maintenance recovery vehicle were assigned the M-3. I've only been out 6 years.
Tankers were also assigned this weapon.
It was more of a personal weapon than an assault weapon. I wouldn't want to engage anything past 25 yards or so. Of course it was a .45 caliber, so you really only had to come close to inflict damage. One hit in the arm would most likely take the arm, so in that sense, it was pretty formidable.
Daily Chronicle of the Battle for Normandy
Monday, July 31st 1944
The exploitation of Operation Cobra continues, and the American forces enter Brittany, painfully defended in the area of Pontaubault by elements of the 91th German Infantry division. The 4th and the 6th armoured divisions do not weaken and continue their progression. At the Southern point of the progression, the Allies carried out a progression of 56 kilometers since July 24 and nearly 20,000 German soldiers were made prisoners. Violent engagements take place in the West of Avranches, in the surroundings of the village of Brecey. However the Americans preserve the advantage and the German forces are folded up towards the South and South-East.
On the Eastern side of the American forces, the British troops continue the Bluecoat operation. Since the day before, they progress towards the South, attacking the German soldiers who fold up because of the American Cobra attack. The British and Canadian troops reach at the end of the day the villages of La-Ferrière-Harang in the South-east of Saint-Lo, as well as La Morichèse-Les Mares and Les Loges in the South of Caumont, Cahagnes and Briquessard in the East while the 50th British Infantry division is attacked in the South of Saint-German-d’Ectot by the 276th German Infantry division.
South of Caumont, the 21st SS Panser Division, supported by the 326th German Infantry division, resists and counter-attacks the 15th and 43th English Canadians Infantry divisions. Hard fightings are engaged but the 2nd Army led by general Dempsey resists well.
http://www.dday-overlord.com/eng/31_july_1944.htm
I’ve always been a fan of the .45. If you hit someone they stayed hit. I’ve read the Army may finally have come to the same conclusion and is ready to ditch 9 mm to return to .45.