“Born on the fairgrounds of Syracuse, New York in 1917, the 15th Field Artillery Regiment was formed from the cadre of the 4th Field Artillery and molded into a combat-ready Battalion of Experts. The coat of arms of the 15th Field Artillery contains a French 75mm Howitzer with the Indianhead of the 2nd Infantry Division patch incised in the wheel.
During WWI the 15th Field Artillery Regiment fired 285,000 rounds, more than any other Regiment during the war. The Regiment participated in six major campaigns and helped win the "War to end all Wars".
During WW2 the Regiment rolled across Central Europe placing the final blows on Nazi Germany with over 151,000 rounds fired.
Following a short period of peace the Regiment was called upon to fight in the Korean War in July, 1950. The Regiment served in ten major campaigns and fired 84,381 rounds.
In 1957 The Regiment underwent major changes and was re-designated as 8 separate Battalions.
Inactive since July 2015; formerly A Battery of the 15th Regiment whom Medal of Honor recipient 1LT Lee R. Hartel served with during the Korean War, was re-designated as 1st Battalion, 15th Artillery and assigned to 2nd Infantry Division at Ft. Benning, GA. In 1964 it was assigned to serve as part of the 11th Air Assault Division (test) to provide direct support artillery to maneuver Battalions. In 1965 the unit was moved to Camp Casey, Korea with the 2nd ID where it served, ready to deny aggressors attempting to cross the demilitarized zone until inactivation.
Inactive since 15 September 1994; formerly C Battery of the 1st Battalion 15th Regiment, 3rd Battalion was reassigned to the Army Reserve as part of the 79th Infantry Division. In 1963 it was reassigned to the 157th Infantry Brigade in Chester, PA and in 1976 was relocated to Ft. McClellan, Alabama.
Inactive since 31 December 1965; formerly D Battery of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Regiment, 4th Battalion was reassigned to the Army Reserve in the 90th Infantry Division in San Antonio, TX in 1959 where it was relieved of duty in 1965.
Inactive since 15 July 1990; formerly E Battery of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Regiment, it was re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery in 1957. In 1959 the Battalion was reassigned to the Army Reserve to the 83rd Infantry Division, where it served until deactivation.
Inactive since 22 November 1969; formerly F Battery of the 2nd Battalion 15th Artillery, it was re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery to the 7th Infantry Division in Korea. In 1963 the unit was inactivated until 1966. In 1967 6th Battalion deployed to Vietnam from 1967-1969 attached to 1st Infantry Division, having served in 9 major campaigns including the Battle of XOM BO and Ong Thanh, firing over 100,000 rounds in support of 1st Infantry Division. Medal of Honor recipient 2LT Harold B. Durham served with this Battalion during combat operations. In 1969 at Fort Lewis the unit was deactivated.
Inactive since 15 September 1993; formerly Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of 1st Battalion, 15 Field Artillery the unit was re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7th Battalion in 1957. In 1967 the 7th Battalion was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to the 41st Artillery in Phu Cat and supported 1st Cavalry Division, 173rd Airborne Division, and 4th Infantry Division. The 7th Battalion was deactivated after the Vietnam War, having served throughout much of II Corps in places like Pleiku and An Khe, as well as various firebases throughout the Central Highlands. It fired more than 360,000 rounds during their service. The unit was inactivated in 1972 at Fort Lewis, WA and later reactivated to serve with the 7th Infantry Division during Operation “Just Cause” from 20 Dec 1989 to 31 Jan 1990.
Inactive since 1 September 1971; formerly Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery the unit was re-designated as 8th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery in 1957. In 1961 it was designated as 8th Missile Battalion, 15th Artillery and stationed in Ft. Bliss, TX. In 1965 it was re-designated as 8th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery and inactivated in 1971 in Homestead Air Force Base, FL. The Battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for the period 20 October 1962 – 1 June 1963 for its support during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The last remaining active Battalion of the Regiment; assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Formerly B Battery, 15th Field Artillery, the 2nd Battalion was stationed in Fort Wainwright, AK throughout the 1960s. In 1996 the 2nd Battalion moved to Fort Drum in Direct Support of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th MTN Division. Advisors from the 2nd Battalion served in Bosnia from 1999-2000. After the attacks on 9/11 the 2nd Battalion, 15th Artillery has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein and training Afghan Forces to establish security and peace.
For its distinguished service, the 15th Artillery Regiment has been awarded 35 campaign streamers, seven foreign awards, two Presidential citations, and three Meritorious Unit Commendations. Let’s Go!
Date Taken: | 06.01.2017 |
Date Posted: | 06.01.2017 16:38 |
Story ID: | 236057 |
Location: | FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US |
Hometown: | FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA, US |
Web Views: | 1,229 |
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This work, 2-15 Field Artillery history, by SSG Keegan Costello, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.