| 41st Fires Brigade | |
|---|---|
41st Fires Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia |
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| Active | 1918–1969 1972–2005 2007–Current |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Field Artillery Branch (United States) |
| Type | Artillery |
| Role | Fire support |
| Size | Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Hood |
| Nickname | Railgunners (Special Designation)[1] |
| Engagements | Vietnam War |
| Battle honours | WW2, Vietnam, Desert Shield/Storm |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive Unit Insignia | |
The 41st Fires Brigade ("Railgunners"[1]) is a field artillery brigade of the United States Army based in Fort Hood, Texas. It is a subordinate unit of III Corps.
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The 41st Fires Brigade traces its lineage back to the 41st Artillery Regiment (Coast Artillery Corps), a static coastal artillery formation activated near the end of World War I.[2]
The 41st Artillery was formed on 26 August 1918, at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Several months later the unit was demobilized. On 15 January 1921, the colors were transferred to the Pacific Theater, where the 41st Artillery was re-constituted as the Hawaiian Railway Battalion. On 1 July 1924, the unit was re-designated as the 41st Coast Artillery and remained in Hawaii until its deactivation on 30 June 1931.[3]
On 21 April 1942, the 41st Coast Artillery was re-activated, this time at Fort Hase, Hawaii, where it served until 25 May 1944. It was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Streamer for its role in World War II. At that time, it was retired from the rolls of the regular Army and incorporated into the Hawaiian Department.[3]
On 28 June 1950, Headquarters Battery, 41st Coast Artillery was reconstituted as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Field Artillery Group and was inactivated 18 January 1952 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.[3]
In April 1967, the 41st Field Artillery Group deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, where it earned nine campaign streamers. On 15 November 1969, the Group was inactivated and its colors returned to the United States.[3]
On 15 March 1972, the 41st Field Artillery Group was re-activated in Babenhausen, West Germany. The unit was re-designated as the 41st Field Artillery Brigade on 16 June 1982, and was assigned to V Corps Artillery. In 2003, the brigade deployed with V Corps to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following their service in Iraq, the unit was inactivated on 15 July 2005. The 41st Fires Brigade was reactivated at Fort Hood, Texas on 16 April 2007 taking over the units of the inactivated 4th Fires Brigade.[3]
Slightly more than one year later, the 41st Fires Brigade was called upon again to provide its battlefield expertise to the Wasit Province of Iraq. The Brigade established itself on the battlefield and began the process of providing security and stabilization to the people of Iraq. After 14 months, the brigade fulfilled its mission.
The 41st Fires Brigade is currently composed of:
A tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) battery will be added to the Brigade in the future.
Ranks indicated are the highest ranks held by the individual, not necessarily the rank held at time of command.