The 21st Field Artillery Regiment is a field artilleryregiment 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]
History
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.
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.
Inactivated 1 September 1953 at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania
Activated 25 May 1954 in Germany
Relieved 1 June 1957 from assignment to the 5th Infantry Division; concurrently, reorganized and redesignated as the 21st Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System
Redesignated 1 September 1971 as the 21st Field Artillery
Withdrawn 16 March 1987 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 21st Field Artillery Regiment[2]
Campaign participation credit
World War I: St. Mihiel; Lorraine 1918
World War II: Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for PLEIKU PROVINCE
Valorous Unit Award for FISH HOOK
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1967
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990–1991[4]
Heraldry
Distinctive unit insignia
Description
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).
Symbolism
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.
Background
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.
Coat of arms
Blazon
Shield: 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).
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules, a dolphin embowed Argent.
Motto: PROGRESSI SUNT (They Have Advanced).
Symbolism
Shield: 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.
Crest: The dolphin represents overseas service.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 21st Field Artillery Regiment on 5 February 1921. It was amended to correct the blazon on 20 May 1921. 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.
4th Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment was activated on 31 March 1959 at Bell, California as part of the 63rd Infantry Division and inactivated there on 31 December 1965.[7]
United States
