Mission:

When directed, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Battalions of tjhe 82nd Field Artillery deploys to a designated contingency area of operations, conducts Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSO&I) and on order plans, and coordinates for and synchronizes the use of all indirect fires in support of combat operations.

Organizational Summary:

The United States Artillery can be traced back to the Military Company of Massachusetts, which was chartered in 1638, and with other colonial artillery companies formed what became the Continental Artillery. More than a century later, in April 1775, the legislature authorized the formation of an artillery regiment. This unit was first commanded by Colonel Richard Gridley, a former British artillery officer who later was replaced by Colonel Henry Knox. Colonel Knox eventually became the Chief of Artillery and is credited with shaping artillery tactics for the remainder of the Revolution.

The continued utilization of technical innovations throughout their history has enabled the artillery to be a decisive threat to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy. Not since the formulation of gunpowder by the Chinese, two technical innovations faced the artillerymen; rifling and breech loading. To the forward looking military arsenal manufacturer, their utility was not in doubt - but the engineering of a reliable design and integrating the geometry of the ammunition into the cannon had many problems. You may be interested in reading about the technical and contractual problems of one such early pioneer, "The Free Enterprise Patriot", who expended many years in building and testing a prototype, but was unable to supply a timely design to the Colonial Army, hence their introduction was delayed until the Civil War Period.

From the historical battlefields of Yorktown and Gettysburg, through the Western Plains, Mexican and Spanish American Wars, the artillery was always there. In fact, the nickname, "Redlegs", comes from that era when artillery uniforms had a 2-inch red stripe on their trousers and horse artillery men wore red canvas leggings. Continuing through the modern days of the European and Asian Theaters of WWII, the Pusan Perimeter in Korea, the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam, to the "Steel Rain" of Desert Storm, "Redlegs" have served with distinction and valor in all of our country's armed conflicts.

The 82nd Field Artillery (Horse) Regiment traces its ancestry back to the famous "First Dragoons", the original Regiment of the US Army. Because of the "dragon" or short musket, so called from the dragons head worked on the muzzle, the "First Dragoons" represented a type of fighting force, both unique and effective, for their service could be employed as mounted or dismounted troops. From the "First Dragoons" was formed the "First Cavalry" which in turn became the mother of the 24th Cavalry.

In preparation fpr the formation of the 24th Cavalry, the units currently known as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 82nd Field Artillery was constituted on 01 July 1916, in the Regular Army of the United States as "A" "B", "C", "D", "E" and "F" Troops, 24th Cavalry. At a later time period, 01 June, 1917, the unit that would later be known as the 5th Battalion 82nd Field Artillery was constituted in the Regular Army of the United States as "I" and "K" Troops, 24th Cavalry.

The 24th Cavalry was organized on 5 June 1917, with one third of the officers and enlisted men coming from the old First Cavalry. Subsequently, on 01 November 1917, the 24th Cavalry was reorganized as the 82nd Field Artillery Regiment at Fort D.A. Russell. The total strength of the 82nd FA Regiment was 62 officers, 1,448 enlisted men, 1,117 horses, and 114 mules. The entire 82nd FA Regiment eventually was relocated to at Camp Logan, Houston, TX, and then proceeded to Fort Bliss, TX and assigned to the 15th Cavalry Division.

Although training was in full swing and preparations were being made for overseas movement to fight the Germans, it was not to be. On 01 November 1917, units of the 82nd Field Artillery, 24th Cavalry,("A" and "B" Batteries were consolidated as "A" Battery, "C" and "D" were consolidated as "B" Battery and "E" and "F" Batteries were consolidated as "C" Battery) were redesignated and transfrred as the 82nd Field Artillery, an element of the 15th Cavalry Division,

The 15th Cavalry Division and the 82nd FA Regiment were specifically trained and equipped for border service. The Mexican rebel, General Francisco "Pancho" Villa, had been causing problems in cross border raids, and had committed acts of aggression against US citizens and soldiers for a number of years. A Punitive Expedition led by General John J. Pershing into Mexico had been carried out in 1916-1917. A number of Pancho Villa's rebel forces were either killed, captured or scattered. But Pancho Villa was never caught.

By 1919, Pancho Villa had reassembled a sizeable rebel force and had initiated several battles against Mexican military troops in an attempt to win the hearts and minds of the Mexican people to rally with him against President Carranza. In early June 1919, indications were received that Villa was moving his rebel forces north to attack the Mexican military troops at Ft. Hidalgo near Juarez, Mexico. The attack on Ft. Hidalgo began at 0010 hours on the morning of 15 June 1919 and lasted until 0050 hours. At 0130 hours, another attack by Villa's forces broke out in a separate part of the city and a battle raged back and forth for most of the day. For reasons that may never be known, rebel snipers from Villas forces began foolishly to shoot sniper fire across the Rio Grande River into El Paso, TX, wounding several civilians.

At 0136 hours of 15 June 1919, the 82nd FA Regiment, minus Service Company, left camp at Ft. Bliss and headed towards El Paso to occupy pre-planned firing positions. The 82nd FA Regiment, consisting of approximately 20 officers and 475 enlisted men, deployed with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion with "A" and "B" Batteries, the 2nd Battalion with "C" and "D" Batteries and the 3rd Battalion with "E" and "F" Batteries.

By 0230 hours, the 82nd FA Regimental Headquarters was in position at the El Paso Union Stockyards and the 1st and 3rd Battalions were in firing positions at Camp Cotton. At 0400 hours on 15 June 1919, the 1st Battalion, 82nd FA was directed to deploy two Firing Batteries near the El Paso Milling Company at the Stanton Street Bridge in support of the 24th Infantry Regiment. Occasional sniper shots were received from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande River in the vicinity of the 82nd FA Regimental Headquarters. At 2130 hours the 1st Battalion, 82nd FA were directed to support the advance of the 24th Infantry Regiment across the Rio Grande River into Juarez from its present artillery positions.

The District HQs ordered 3,600 American soldiers to cross into Mexico to prevent further promiscuous firing into El Paso and to provide protection for American citizens. The American Force consisted of the 24th Infantry Regiment, the 5th Cavalry and 7th Cavalry Regiments, and the 2nd Battalion, 82nd FA. At 0020 hours the 1st Battalion, 82nd FA was directed to open fire on the Juarez Racetrack, as the Villistas had been definitely located there. The first artillery shot was fired across the Rio Grande River into the Juarez Racetrack by "A" Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd FA. "A" Battery fired a total of 52 rounds and "B" Battery fired a total of 12 rounds before a "Cease Fire" was called at 0100 hours.

While the 24th Infantry Regiment was advancing through the streets of Juarez the 5th Cavalry and the 7th Cavalry Regiments were moving as a blocking force on either side of the advancing Infantry to prevent any flanking movements by the Villistas. The 2nd Battalion, 82nd FA advanced in support of the 5th Cavalry and 7th Cavalry Regiments and were prepared to fire quickly should targets of opportunity present themselves. By 0650 hours, the Combined Arms forces of the US Cavalry and the 2nd Battalion, 82nd FA were in pursuit of the rebel forces. They had marched southeast about six miles when a sizeable force of Villistas were spotted.

The 2nd Battalion, 82nd FA advanced towards the Villistas at an extended gallop and opened fire with shrapnel on their column at a range of about 4,000 yards. A direct hit was made with the first volley of shots and the shrapnel bursting overhead in the center of the rebel column wiped out a complete section. The other two sections of Villistas were routed and scattered in different directions. This action was completed around 0900 hours on 16 June 1919, by "D" Battery, 2nd Battalion FA. During the continued pursuit afterwards, an adobe shack was targeted and a direct hit was made by the howitzers of the 2nd Battalion, 82nd FA. After this attack the bodies of twenty-five killed or wounded Villistas were found.

On the return march over 50 abandoned saddles, 300 horses and burros, and 100 rifles were scattered all over the area. Some of the rifles were of German manufacture and were brought back as souvenirs by members of the command. Most of the men of the 82nd FA Regiment that participated in the Battle of Juarez were entitled to wear the Mexican Service Medal.

In recognition of this battle, the Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 82nd FA Regiment shows a black artillery shell imposed on a wavy white background. The black artillery shell and the wavy white background are symbols of the first round shot across the Rio Grande River by "A" Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd FA. As an integral part of the 82nd FA Regiment, the motto "Can and Will" are reflective of a spirit steeped in traditions of men doing what needs to be regardless of the obstacles to be overcome.

On 09 September 1921 the 82nd Field Artillery, comprised of "A", "B" & "C" Batteries, was redesignated the 82nd Field Artillery (Horse) Battalion and assigned to the newly activated 1st Cavalry Division at Ft Bliss, TX. The 82nd FA Battalion was the only (Horse) Artillery in the US Army at that time. The designation (Horse) meant that all unit members rode mounted on horses instead of riding on the gun carriages.

On 17 March 1930, the 82nd FA Regiment was reactivated and the 82nd FA Battalion (Horse) was reorganized as the 1st Battalion, 82nd FA but lost its designation as (Horse). In parallel with the assignment of the 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery was redesignated as 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery and inactivated. Assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division was delayed until 01 December 1934. Concurrently "C" Battery of the 1st Battalion was relieved from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division. In an internal reorganization, the 82nd FA Regiment was restructured, comprised of the 1st and 2nd Battalions. It would not be until 03 January 1941, that "C" battery would be reassigned to the 1st Battalion of the 82nd Field Artillery.

World War II, Pacific Theater

On 03 January 1941, the tactical significance of the artillery organizations was recognized, with the activation of the 1st Division Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery at Fort Bliss, Texas for extensive field training. By that time the 82nd Field Artillery had expanded to include two battalions.

On 04 June 1943, the 82nd Field Artillery deployed to Brisbane, Australia with the First Team for jungle training and General MacArthur's island hopping campaign. The Battalion moved to New Guinea on 23 June 1943 to prepare for combat. In January of 1944, the Battalion fired its first round in the World War II at Oro Bay, New Guinea. From there, the Battalion moved to Los Negros and, in February, on to Admiralty Islands. The unit's actions in the Admiralty Islands prepared it for the amphibious assault on Leyte in the Philippines on 07 October 1944. The 82nd Field Artillery Battalion received a campaign streamer with arrowhead for participation in this action. Theb next move was to Luzon in January 1945, earning itself another campaign streamer. The Battalion was later organized into "The Flying Column" to support the First Team as it fought its way into the capital of Manila.

In September of 1945, the 82nd Field Artillery completed its war effort with occupation duties in Tokyo, Japan. While in Japan, the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion transitioned to 155mm howitzers and became the Red Team's general support battalion. On 25 June 1950, North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and once again the 82nd was called to action. The Battalion deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division as part of an unopposed amphibious landing into the Pusan Perimeter at P'chang-dong.

On 01 November 1951, an aerial observer in a L-5 Plane directed fires of the 82nd Field Artillery onto columns of Chinese forces entering Korea. This ction was one of the first contacts between the First Team and the Chinese. The 82nd left Korea with the 1st Cavalry Division and moved to Hokkaido, Japan in December of 1951. It remained at Camp Chitose until 15 October 1957, when it was inactivated.

In 1990, the 82nd Field Artillery deployed to South West Asia as part of Operation Desert Shield, providing direct support fires for the 3rd Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm. Following the conflict, they returned to Germany and was again inactivated.

On 16 December 1992, the 82nd Field Artillery was reunited with the First at Fort Hood, Texas where it became an integral part of the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery, known as the "RED TEAM." In early July of 1996, the Regiment fielded the M109A6 155mm Paladin Howitzer.

To Be continued ...............

This folio of material highlights of the many subsequent historical critical missions performed by members of the 82nd Field Artillery, whose actions, operations and the many critical issues resolved over its 95+ years history to meet the changing threat and the honors they achieved are summarized in the following sections:

Table of Contents

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