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The 21st Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1916. A parent regiment under the U.S. Army Regimental System, all components of the regiment are currently inactive. The 1st Battalion 21st Field Artillery Regiment (United States), the regiment's final active component, deactivated on June 12, 2014.[1]
| 21st Field Artillery Regiment | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms
| |
| Active | 1916–1921 1939–1946 1948–1950 1951–1953 1954–1957 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Field artillery |
| Motto(s) | Progressi Sunt (They Have Advanced) |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |  |
During World War I, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment was deployed to Europe, where it played a critical role in supporting American troops during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the final Allied offensive of the war. The regiment's service during this campaign earned it the French Croix de Guerre and the World War I Victory Medal.
In the interwar period, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment was reorganized several times and served as both a National Guard and Regular Army unit. During World War II, the regiment was again deployed to Europe, where it provided artillery support for Allied troops during the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of Paris.
After the war, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation force. In the years that followed, the regiment was reorganized several more times and served in various locations around the world, including Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq.
In the 21st century, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment has continued to serve as a critical component of the U.S. Army's artillery capabilities. The regiment has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively, and has also conducted training and exercises in locations around the world.
Today, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment is based at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and is equipped with the M109A6 Paladin howitzer. The regiment is currently assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, which is part of the 1st Cavalry Division.
The 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division.
Battery A, 21st Field Artillery served in Operation Desert Storm as the 1st Cavalry Division's general support MLRS battery.
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1+3⁄32 inches (2.8 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent a bend Gules, in base an eagle close of the last gorged with a collar Or bearing a Lorraine cross of the second. On a sinister canton of the second a demi-sun Gold charged with an Aztec banner Vert garnished of the field (for the 3rd Field Artillery).
The regiment was formed from the 3rd Field Artillery which is shown on the canton. The red bend denotes artillery support. The eagle with collar, one of the supporters of the arms of St. Mihiel, symbolizes the most important engagement in which the regiment participated.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 21st Field Artillery Regiment on 27 November 1939. It was redesignated for the 21st Field Artillery Battalion on 13 December 1940. The insignia was redesignated for the 21st Artillery Regiment on 30 August 1957. Effective 1 September 1971, the insignia was redesignated for the 21st Field Artillery Regiment.
In the June 1965 Order of Battle – USAREUR/7th Army Non-divisional Artillery, the 3rd MSL Bn, 21st FA (Honest John) was included in the VII Corps Artillery, 72nd Field Artillery group, Larson Bks, Kitzingen, Germany.
In the September 1970 Order of Battle – USAREUR/7th Army Non-divisional Artillery, the 3rd MSL Bn, 21st FA (Honest John) was included in VII Corps Artillery, 72nd Field Artillery group, Fiori Bks, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
The unit was inactivated September 30, 1974.[6]
This article incorporates public domain material from 21st Field Artillery Regiment. United States Army Institute of Heraldry.