142nd Field Artillery Regiment

142nd Field Artillery Regiment

Coat of arms
Country United States, United States
Branch Arkansas Army National Guard
Garrison/HQ Fayetteville, Arkansas
Nickname(s) Second Arkansas (special designation)[1]
Motto Try to Stop Us!
Engagements World War I
*Streamer without inscription
World War II
Korean War
Desert Storm
Iraq Campaign
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
142nd Fires Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia

The 142nd Field Artillery Regiment ("Second Arkansas")[1] is a United States Army field artillery regiment currently represented in the Arkansas Army National Guard by the 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery, headquartered in Harrison, Arkansas, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Battery F (Target Acquisition), 142nd Field Artillery stationed in Fayetteville, Arkansas, elements of the 142nd Fires Brigade which is headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The regiment was created in 1917 from the former 2nd Arkansas Infantry. The 142nd Field Artillery shipped to France during World War I, but did not see combat before cessation of hostilities. The regiment was activated for World War II, but its battalions were redesignated as separate battalions, 1–142nd became the 936th Field Artillery Battalion, the 2–142nd became the 937th Field Artillery Battalion. The battalion's served throughout the European Theater of Operations. The battalions were activated again for the Korean War and served throughout the war. Following the Korean War the separate battalions resumed their former designations of 1–142nd FA and 2–142nd FA. The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, including both battalions was activated for Operation Desert Storm. Elements of the 142nd Fires Brigade have been activated for service in Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 142nd Fires Brigade was instrumental in support and recovery operations located in New Orleans, Louisiana after hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

Origins

In the winter of 1892 the Arkansas State Guard conducted its first annual encampment. An encampment was also conducted in the summer of 1893 at Hot Springs. The favorable publicity for these militia encampments led to efforts to improve the organization of the Guard probably resulted in the organization of new military companies:[2] . As Arkansas State Guard grew in number of companies, and plans were made to divide the state into two regiments shortly after the summer encampment of 1893. The division was not made until 16 January 1894. The dividing line was the thirty-fifth parallel of latitude. The 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Guards, command by Col. F. B. T. Hohenburg, comprised the southern part of the state and a new 2nd Regiment, ASG was formed to include the norther part of the state. Companies in the 2nd Regiment (the northern division) were located at Van Buren, Magazine, Conway, Paragould, Marion, Newport, Fort Smith, Clarksville, Rector and Yellville.[2]

Lancelot Minor, a Newport attorney who had been active in support of the Newport militia company, was appointed Colonel of the 2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guard. Lieutenant W. R. Samples of the United States Army was assigned to the Arkansas State Guard during the period of reorganization.[2] Lieutenat Samples wrote to Lancelot Minor, 3 January 1893:

For some time I have postponed writing you to inquire if you will accept appointment as Colonel of the 2nd Regt. of Infantry. Please consider the matter and I trust you will accept for the good of the service.[2]

Lieutenant Samples then wrote Governor William M. Fishback, on 5 January 1894:

With your approval I shall recommend for Colonel Hon. L. Minor of Newport, who is well fitted for the office and is actively interested in the State Guard.[2]

On 15 January, Lieutenant Samples wrote Col. Minor:

I have the honor to inform you that the Governor has today in accordance with the wishes of the officers of the 2d Regt. of Infantry, appointed you as Colonel of Infantry & you will be assigned to the comm. and of the 2d Regt.[2]

In discussing the appointment, the Arkansas Gazette described Col. Minor as "one of the best fellows and best-known lawyers in the State". On 23 January, the Gazette reported: "Col. Minor, of Newport, detailed as Colonel of the Second Regiment of Arkansas State Guard, has assumed command and directs that all company commanders make out and forward to him at once a complete roster of their cornpanies, stating time and place of drills." Colonel Minor appointed Lieutenant Rush H. Davis, of Company F, to serve as adjutant for the regiment, and John Frank Caldwell of Newport (and a Confederate veteran), was appointed regimental quartermaster with the rank of 2nd Regiment. On 24 March 1894, Rev. R. B. Willis, of Newport was named chaplain of the Second Regiment. In May 1894, Lieutenant George A. Hillhouse, of Newport, was appointed Major.[2]

In early March 1894 companies began receiving complete uniforms, blankets and Rifles. Colonel Minor and his official staff were also supplied with appropriate uniforms, including a saber, belt and shoulder straps for the colonel.[2]

Reorganization of 1897

In January 1897 Governor Daniel W. Jones took office and appointed Brigadier General Arthur Neill as his Private Secretary and Acting Adjutant General (the position of Adjutant General had still not been re authorized by the state legislature at this time). The new Governor and Adjutant General began a massive reorganization of the Arkansas State Guard. Two additional regiments of Infantry, another troop of cavalry, and another battery of artillery were added to the organization.[3] The state was divided into two military districts, with the Arkansas River being the dividing line. Major General R.G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in overall command of the State's Forces. Brigadier General C. R. Shaer was commissioned and placed in command of the Southern District, which included the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, two batteries of artillery and a signal company.[4] The units were poorly equipped and outdated equipment.

2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards[5] Colonel J.B. Dent, Station
Company A, CPT S.L. Jeffers Van Buren
Company B, Not yet organized
Company C, CPT B.T. Bullion Conway
Company D, CPT P.W. Mooss Paragould
Company E, CPT J.J. Cox Marion
Company F, CPT M.M. Stuckey Newport
Company G, CPT J.C. South Moutian Home
Company H, CPT J.E. Nichols, Clarksville
Company I, CPT M.D. Moody, Judsonia
Company J, Not yet organized
Company K, Not yet organized
Company L CPT R.W. Reynolds Lake Village

The Spanish-American War

Men of the 2nd Arkansas Infantry

On 25 April 1898, President William McKinley called upon the State to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish American War. None of the regiments were in acceptable condition to deploy, and only two companies were determined fit to be mustered into service intact. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized, redesignated and mustered into Federal Service between 14 and 25 May 1898, at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish American War.[6] Governor Jones intended that all sections of the State be represented as far as possible, so the two new regiments were created from selected State Guard companies and from different sections of the state.[3] Pursuant to the Governor's direction the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry was organized as follows:[7]

COL Virgil Y. Cook, Commander, 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry

2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry

Company Former Organization Station
A Company C, 1st Regiment, ASG (McCarthy Light Guards) Little Rock
B Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG, V.Y. Cook Rifles, Batesville
C Company G, 4th Regiment, ASG Walnut Ridge
D Company D, 2nd Regiment, ASG ?
E Company D, 1st Regiment, ASG (Fletcher Rifles) Little Rock
F Company F, 2nd Regiment, ASG (Hurley Rifles) ?
G Company D, 4th Regiment, ASG (Cabot Guards) Cabot
H Company I, 1st Regiment, ASG Forrest City
I Companies F, G, and H, 4th Regiment, ASG Stuttgart (Co F), Gillett (Co G) and Dewitt (Co H)
K Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG (Clendenin Rifles) Harrison
L Company C, 2nd Regiment, ASG Conway
M Company ?, 4th Regiment, ASG (Highland Sharpshooters) Melbourne (with volunteers from Mountain Home)

The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish American War. The 2nd Arkansas, now under the command of COL V.Y. Cook, moved to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia in May 1898.[8] The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August.[3] The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of federal service on 25 October 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas.[9] The 2nd Regiment continued in service until 25 February 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston, Alabama. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its casualties. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.[3]

The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters Battery was originally organized between 1905–1910 in the Arkansas State Guard at Fayetteville as Company B, 2d Regiment of Infantry (The Arkansas State Guard was itself redesignated on 31 March 1907 as the Arkansas National Guard).[10]

Reorganization following the Spanish American War

Pursuant to an April 1899 Act of the Legislature of the State Arkansas, the 2nd Arkansas Infantry reorganized and was stationed as follows:[11]

Regiment Unit Station Commander
2nd Regiment Headquarters Augusta COL J.B. Dent
Company A, Van Buren CPT S.L. Jeffers
Company B, Not recorded Not recorded
Company C, Conway CPT B. T. Bullion
Company D, Paragould CPT P.W. Moos
Company E, Marion CPT J.J. Cox
Company F, Newport CPT M.M. Stuckey
Company G, Mountain Home CPT J.C. Smith
Company H, Clarksville CPT J.E. Nichols
Company I, Judsonia CPT M.D. Moody
Company K, Not Recorded Not Recorded
Company L, Not Recorded CPT R.W. Reynolds

The State Guard becomes the National Guard

The Militia Act of 1903 (32 Stat. 775), also known as the Dick Act, organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. The act was passed in response to the demonstrated weaknesses in the militia, and in the entire U.S. military in the Spanish–American War of 1898.

U.S. Senator Charles W. F. Dick, a Major General in the Ohio National Guard and the chair of the Committee on the Militia,[12] sponsored the 1903 Act towards the end of the 57th U.S. Congress. Under this legislation, passed 21 January 1903, the organized militia of the states were given federal funding and required to conform to Regular Army organization within five years. The act also required National Guard units to attend twenty four drills and five days annual training a year, and, for the first time, provided for pay for annual training. In return for the increased federal funding which the act made available, militia units were subject to inspection by Regular Army officers, and had to meet certain standards.

In Arkansas, re-organization of the Arkansas State Guard actually began in 1901 under Governor Jeff Davis.[13] Major General W.M. Maynes, in a biannual report dated 31 December 1906 provided an overview of the status of the Arkansas Militia. The Militia was subdivided by statute into parts, (1) the State Guard, or active organize militia: and (2) the Reserve Militia. The State Guard, or regularly enlisted, organized and uniformed militia, was at a total strength of 1,274 personnel.[14] The Federal Government appropriated $35,956.86 for the support of the Arkansas State Guard in that year, and the Adjutant General asked the General Assembly for a matching appropriation of one-half the Federal appropriation.[15]

Geographic reorganization

In 1909 a change was made in the organization of the Arkansas National Guard. For several years, the state had been organized with the 1st Infantry being stationed north of the Arkansas River and the 2nd Infantry stationed south of the river. The Adjutant General, General Green determined that the building of railroads and highways had made this stationing plan inefficient and issued General Order No 35 which reorganized the regiments and battalions and changed the letter designations of some of the companies. The regiments were re-stationed so that the 1st Infantry was situated in the eastern part of the state, with its principal "concentration point" being Little Rock, and the 2nd Infantry was stationed in the western part of the state with its "concentration point" at Fort Smith.[16]

Regiment[17] Unit Station Officers Enlisted
2nd Regiment Headquarters Company, Paris 14 6
Company A, Siloam Springs 3 55
Company B, Fayetteville 3 52
Company C, Dardanelle 3 71
Company D, Eurka Springs 3 57
Company E, Paris 3 63
Company F, Magazine 3 61
Company G, Hope 3 55
Company H, Atkins 3 61
Company I, Yellville 3 53
Company K, Fort Smith 3 42
Company L, Ola 3 58
Company M, Harrison 3 60
2nd Regimental Band, Russellville 27

Increased training with new funding

With the new federal funding in place National Guard units were encouraged to participate in bi-annual encampments with the Regular Army. In 1906 Arkansas sent one provisional regiment to Fort Riley, Kansas for training. In 1908 a provisional Regiment trained at Leon Springs, Texas. In 1910 Arkansas Troops were invited back to Leon Springs, Texas, for a twelve-day encampment, and the federal government provided $25,000 to defray the costs of the encampment.[18]

Companies A-B-F-C-I and M of the Second Infantry participated in an encampment at Dardanelle, Arkansas from 9–18 August 1909. The units were trained by members of the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, U.S. Army.[18]

The Mexican Expedition

Members of the 2nd Arkansas Infantry in front of a tent

The Mexican Expedition was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa from 1916 to 1917. The expedition was in retaliation for Villa's illegal incursion into the United States and attack on the village of Columbus, Luna County, New Mexico, during the Mexican Revolution. The United States Army Center of Military History officially refers to the campaign as "the Mexican Expedition". The official beginning and ending dates are 14 March 1916 and 7 February 1917. National Guard units from Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico had been called into service on 8 May 1916.[19] With congressional approval of the National Defense Act of 1916 on 3 June 1916, National Guard units from the remainder of the states and the District of Columbia were also called for duty on the border.[20] By mid-June President Wilson had called out more than 110,000 National Guard for border service. None of the National Guard troops would cross the border into Mexico, but were used instead as a show of force.

In July 1916, the entire Arkansas National Guard was mobilized for federal service on the Mexican border.[21] Arkansas units began to assemble immediately at Fort Roots, near Little Rock. Of the 2,078 Guardsmen that answered the call, only 1,208 passed the new physical standards for entry into federal service.[21] The Arkansas troops received orders on 29 June to move to Deming, New Mexico in order to replace regular troops joining the actual expedition into Mexico and prepare if Mexico reacted to the incursion. The Arkansas troops were not engaged in Mexico and returned to Little Rock in February, mustering out of service 19–24 February at Fort Logan H. Roots.[22] This mobilization of the National Guard along the Mexican border was the training ground for many future leaders of the Arkansas National Guard. Many of the officers who led Arkansas National Guard units in the early years of World War I and World War II began their service on the Mexican border.[23] The 2nd Arkansas Infantry was mustered into federal service between 6–9 July 1916 at Fort Logan H. Roots, Arkansas; and mustered out of federal service on 9 March 1917 at Fort Logan H. Roots, Arkansas.

World War I

Mobilization

When the United States declared war on Germany 6 April 1917, less than two months had passed since the last Arkansas National Guard units completed mustering out from duty on the Mexican border.[24] By 4 April 1917 the 2nd Arkansas Regiment was on 48-hour standby, but had not received mobilization orders.[25] On 18 May 1917 the Arkansas National Guard was notified that on 5 August 1917 the Guard as a whole would be called into federal service.[26]

The Arkansas National Guard was initially informed that its units would be assigned to the 18th Division, along with the states of Mississippi and Louisiana, and the state was directed to raise one regiment of infantry, one regiment of field artillery, and one outpost of company signal corps.[27] The men of the Arkansas National Guard trained hard after hearing the news. Intensified cross county hiking, drilling, and maneuvering were evident when the men took sack lunches and marched into Little Rock for the Memorial Day parade with all other troops stationed at Ft. Root.[28]

By 16 July 1917 the 2nd Arkansas Infantry included the following units:[29]

Regiment Unit Station Officers Enlisted
2nd Regiment Company A, Springdale 3 141
Company B, Fayetteville 3 150
Company C, Dardanelle 3 115
Company D, Fort Smith 3 140
Company E, Paris 1 140
Company G, Russellville 3 140
Company H, Bentonville 2 150
Company I, Texarkana 2 119
Company K, Ozark 3 120
Company L, Ola 3 129
Company M, Harrison 3 100
Headquarters Company, Paris 2 59
Supply Company, Van Buren 3 39
Machine Gun Company, Fort Smith 3 71
Medical Corps, Little Rock 8 32

On 18 July 1917 the Arkansas National Guard was assigned to Alexandria, Louisiana, for training as the 18th Division.[30] Alexandria, Louisiana, is the location of Camp Beauregard. The camp was named after General P. G. T. Beauregard, C.A.A.[31]

The 2nd and 3rd Infantry Regiments were examined for federal service on 6 August 1917 at Ft. Brough (located on the Capital grounds). The regiments, under the control of General Wood,[32] were sent to Ft. Roots[33] and moved to Camp Pike by 24 August 1917.[34] The commander of the supply company of the 3rd Arkansas received instructions from the Augusta Arsenal to go into the open market and buy mess kits to complete the needed equipment for the new regiments.[35]

Movement to Camp Beauregard

In late September 1917 the Arkansas National Guard moved by train to Camp Beauregard in Alexandria, Louisiana. The trip took about fourteen hours.

Re-numbering and loss of state designations

The Arkansas troops were demobilized after their transfer to Camp Beauregard, and reorganization of the troops was made under a new national numbering system.[36] The 18th Division was redesignated as the 39th Division. At this time all National Guard Units were stripped of their state designations and re-numbered under a new federal numbering system:[37]

The 39th "Delta" Division was composed of the:

When the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment was changed to artillery, their blue hat cords were changed to red, and their collar insignia was changed from the crossed rifles to crossed cannon.[40] But the big change was from the rifle to the six-inch howitzer, which was used in shelling enemy positions. It took eight horses to pull one of the big cannons.[41] After several months of classroom training, the 142nd began live fire on the horse-drawn 4.7 inch weapon in April 1918. After two and one-half months in the field conducting live fire training, the 142nd was certified for overseas service.[42]

Sickness was a problem for the men from Arkansas. Measles in the later part of October 1917 kept the men from drilling.[43] Regardless, in January 1918 the National Guard Reserve was transferred to the active list.[44] Also in the same month, Alexandria, Louisiana, was placed off limits, and soldiers could not visit other regiments because of an outbreak of meningitis.[45] Soldiers were instructed in the use of deadly gases and then exposed to tear gas.[46] The off limits lasted until 6 March 1918 for the soldiers concerning Alexandria. The soldiers complained about the bugs and were anxious to go to France. By March 1918 the soldiers had received new Enfield rifles.[47] In early October 1918 Camp Beauregard was struck with Spanish influenza which led into lobar pneumonia. All available facilities were used when the hospitals became overcrowded.[48]

Arkansas troops passed in review for the first time in February for Arkansas Adjutant-General England,[49] and the entire 39th Division passed in review in April for the Governors of Mississippi and Louisiana.[50] On the day after the parade, the Arkansas soldiers learned that they could not vote outside of the state of Arkansas. If they could return to their local residence before or on the voting date, they could vote according to the Attorney-General's opinion.[51]

Deployed to France

142nd Field Artillery Regimental Band, in France, 1918

In the summer if 1918, the need for replacements for the divisions already engaged in combat drove the army to offer the enlisted soldiers of the 39th Division the choice to volunteer to deploy early or to remain in training with the Division. Many soldiers, concerned that they might miss the opportunity to prove themselves in combat, volunteered, thus June 1918 marked the arrival in France of twenty per cent of the enlisted personnel of the 142nd Field Artillery. The number of volunteers had been limited to not more than twenty per cent of each organization, and the officers could not accompany their troops, but had to remain at Camp Beauregard with the remainder of the division still in training.[52] At Camp Beauregard the division was brought to full strength by the arrival of troops from Camp Zachary Taylor (men from the states of Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky.)[53]

Battery A, 1st Battalion, 142nd Artillery firing in support of the Artillery School at Du Valdahon, France, 1919

It took twelve months for the 39th Division organization to reach France, where it remained for three months.[54] The 142nd Field Artillery Regiment sailed for France 31 August 1918 and arrived 7 September. After arrival in France, the 142nd drew equipment and began training on the tractor-drawn 155 mm howitzer. The 142nd was certified for combat 8 November 1918, and the Armistice was signed on the 11th, preventing the 142nd from participating in combat.

In March 1919 the 1st Battalion, 142nd Artillery, 39th Division was acting as a school battalion for the entire artillery forces of the American Expeditionary Forces with their headquarters at Valdahon, France.[55]

Demobilization

The 142nd stayed in France to conduct tests and exercises to develop techniques for motorized artillery battalions and won a commendation for efficient performance. In May 1919 word reached Little Rock that the 142nd Field Artillery (old 2nd Arkansas) was doing convoy duty with the Army of Occupation and a segment was still firing for the Artillery School at Camp Valdahon.[56] It was not until early June when the 142nd Field Artillery left France on the transport Amphion to arrive 15 June 1919 at Newport News, Virginia.[57] On the train trip to Little Rock the 142nd Field Artillery was asked to march in a parade in Atlanta. This they were proud to do. On 21 June 1919 the group arrived at Camp Pike. On the following day the 142nd Field Artillery was featured in a big parade in Little Rock and then treated to a big show and picnic in the park.[57]

Between the World Wars

On 16 June 1931, the state was authorized to reconstitute the 142nd Field Artillery.[58] Several of the new 142nd batteries were organized from the 206th Coast Artillery.[59]

New unit Former unit Station Federal recognition dates
Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 142nd FA New Unit Prescott 26 June 1931
Headquarters Battery and Combat Train New Unit Haze 26 June 1931
Battery A Battery H, 206th CA Fayetteville 2 September 1931
Battery B Battery E, 206th CA Fayetteville 2 September 1931
Battery C Battery G, 206th CA Fort Smith 20 April 1936
Medical Detachment New Unit Hot Springs 26 June 1931

On 3 April 1936, the war department authorized the creation of the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery as follows:[60]

Howitzer Section from Battery A, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment, training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 1930s
New unit Former unit Station Federal recognition dates
Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 142nd FA New Unit Hot Springs 3 April 1936
Headquarters Battery and Combat Train New Unit Fort Smith 26 June 1931
Battery C New Unit Mena 26 June 1931
Medical Detachment New Unit Fort Smith 26 June 1931

On 6 March 1937, the War Department authorized the creation the following additional units for the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment:[60]

New unit Former unit Station Federal recognition dates
Headquarters, 3rd Battalion, 142nd FA New Unit Fayetteville 6 March 1937
Battery E New Unit Paris 6 March 1937
Battery F New Unit Rogers 6 March 1937
Service Battery New Unit Harrison 6 March 1937
Band Section New Unit Fort Smith 6 March 1937

Former Company B, 2d Regiment of Infantry, was reorganized and federally recognized on 4 December 1923 in the Arkansas National Guard at Fayetteville as Battery A, 206th Artillery (Coast Artillery Corps). It was redesignated on 22 April 1924 as Battery A, 206th Coast Artillery. It converted and was redesignated on 3 September 1931 as Battery A, 142d Field Artillery.

World War II

Brigadier General H.D. Jay fires the 125,000th round from the 936th Field Artillery Battalion (formerly 1–142nd Field Artillery). The round was fired from Gun 1, Battery B, on 8 February 1945.

The 142nd Field Artillery Regiment was ordered to active federal service 6 January 1941 and moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where the 3rd Battalion was disbanded. In February the regiment moved to Camp Bowie, Texas and began extensive training. On 25 February 1943 the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment was disbanded. The headquarters was redesignated the 142nd Field Artillery Group, the 1st Battalion became the 936th and the 2nd became the 937th. These were independent battalions equipped with the 155 mm howitzer.

The 142nd Field Artillery Group left Camp Bowie 25 September 1943 and arrived in England on 3 November 1943. It crossed Utah Beach 10 June 1944 and participated in the European offensive with up to five battalions attached. When the war ended the 142nd Field Artillery Group was twenty-five miles from the Elbe River.

The 936th Field Artillery Battalion left Camp Bowie 9 August 1943, arrived in Algiers 2 September 1943 and landed in Naples, Italy 11 November 1943. It participated in the drive across the Rapido River, the liberation of Rome and the assault on Mount Cassino. When the war ended the 936th was across the Po River, about forty five miles from Venice. It had fired 139,364 rounds in combat and was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns:

The 937th Field Artillery Battalion left Camp Bowie on 10 August 1943, arrived in Algiers 2 September 1943 and landed in Naples, Italy 11 November 1943. It participated in the drive across the Rapido River and the liberation of Rome. It then prepared for and participated in the amphibious landings in southern France 15 August 1944. One of vessels carrying the 937th FAB was hit by a German bomber, resulting in one killed in action, two missing in action, eighty-three wounded and the loss of the fire-direction equipment and one battery of howitzers. The 937th fired over 200,000 combat rounds and was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns:

Reorganization following World War II

Following World War II, the 142nd Field Artillery Group was reorganized in the Arkansas Guard, consisting of 6 battalions, 3 artillery battalions and 3 antiaircraft artillery battalions.[61]

Headquarters Company Station
142nd Field Artillery Group Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Fayetteville
709th FA Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Paragould
Battery A Rector
Battery B Augusta
Battery C Piggott
Service Battery, 437th FA Wynne
936th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Fayetteville
Battery A Bentonville
Battery B Berryville
Battery C Rogers
Service Battery Harrison
Medical Detachment Fayetteville
937th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Fort Smith
Battery A Mena
Battery B Paris
Battery C Ozark
Service Battery Mena
Medical Detachment Ozark
151st Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Harrison
Battery A Mountain Home
Battery B Berryville
Battery C Marshall
Battery D Harrison
Medical Detachment Harrison
326th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery West Memphis
Battery A Marked Tree
Battery B West Memphis
Battery C Harrisburg
Battery D West Helena
Medical Detachment Marked Tree
327th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Jonesboro
Battery A Jonesboro
Battery B Jonesboro
Battery C Jonesboro
Battery D Jonesboro
Medical Detachment Jonesboro

The Korean War

A pair of M-40 155 mm Gun Motor Carriages of Battery B, 937th Field Artillery Battalion, from Paris Arkansas, providing fire support to U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division, Munema, Korea, 26 November 1951

The Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142nd FA Group consolidated with Battery B, 936th Field Artillery Battalion, and the consolidated unit reorganized and was federally recognized on 24 October 1946 at Fayetteville as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142d Field Artillery Group. It was ordered into active federal service 3 September 1950 at Fayetteville. It was released on 17 December 1954 from active federal service and reverted to state control.

936th Field Artillery Battalion firing in South Korea in 1951

The 936th Field Artillery Battalion mobilized 2 August 1950, and moved to Camp Carson, Colorado for training. It arrived in Korea 10 February 1951 and fired its first combat mission 30 March 1951.[62] The unit provided fire support to 3rd Infantry Division 25th Infantry Division and 1st Republic of Korea Division as well as the 1st Cavalry Division.[63] The battalion was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns: First United Nations (UN) Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Spring Offensive; UN Summer – Fall Offensive; and Second Korean winter. The 936th fired 348,547 combat rounds in Korea and suffered ten killed in action and twenty eight wounded in action. The battalion was deactivated 25 September 1954.[62]

The 937th Field Artillery Battalion was mobilized on the same day as the 936th and moved to Fort Hood, Texas for training. It arrived in Korea on the same ship as the 936th and fired its first combat mission 3 April 1951.[62] The battalion went into line with the I Corps on 30 April near Uijongbu, Korea. During the Chinese Spring Drive the battalion fell back to Seoul and was moved to IX Corps. Battery A continued with X Corps and was attached to the 1st Marine Division. On 17 May 1952 the Battalion was attached to 2nd Infantry Division, IX Corps. For the action with 2nd Division, Battery C and Headquarters Battery received the Distinguished Unit Citation. The battalion continued in general support to IX Corps from 28 July 1953 until 9 October 1954.[63] The battalion was awarded battle streamers for the following campaigns: First U.N. Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Spring Offensive; UN Summer – Fall Offensive; Second Korean winter; Korea, Summer – Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter and Korea, Summer 1953. The 937th fired 223,400 combat rounds in Korea and suffered thirteen killed in action and 156 wounded in action. The battalion was deactivated 26 November 1954.[62]

The Cold War

Following the Korean War, the 936th Field Artillery Battalion and the 937th Field Artillery Battalion were reorganized and redesignated as the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 142nd Field Artillery. The 142nd Field Artillery was ordered into active federal service, along with all other Arkansas National Guard troops in the state on 24 September 1957 at Fayetteville in support of the Little Rock Central High School integration crisis. The unit remained at homestations and did not deploy to Little Rock during the Central High crisis. The unit was released on 23 October 1957 from active federal service and reverted to state control.

Reorganization of 1959

In accordance with General Order Number 4, dated 29 May 1959, the 142nd Field Artillery was reorganized as follows:

New Unit Former Unit Station Federal Recognition Dates
HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Fayetteville 24 October 1946
HQ and HQ Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 936th Artillery Fayetteville 24 October 1946
Medical Detachment, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Medical Detachment, 936th Artillery Fayetteville 1947
Battery A, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 936th Artillery Battalion Bentonville 1947
Battery B, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 936th Artillery Battalion Siloam Springs 6 February 1956
Battery C, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 936th Artillery Battalion Rogers 24 February 1946
Service Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 936th Artillery Battalion Lincoln 12 December 1955
HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 937th Artillery Fort Smith 23 October 1946
Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Company C, 212th Signal Battalion Van Buren 28 November 1955
Battery B, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 937th Artillery Battalion Paris 23 October 1946
Battery C, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 937th Artillery Battalion, (Med Det, 937th FA) Ozark 3 February 1947
Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery 233rd Med Company Charleston 1 December 1955
HQ and HQ Battery, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 151st AAA BN (Battery D, 151st AAA BN) Harrison 30 November 1955
Medical Detachment, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Medical Detachment, 151st AAA BN Harrison 23 January 1957
Battery A, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 151st AAA BN Mountain Home 21 November 1955
Battery B, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 151st AAA BN Berryville 7 December 1955
Battery C, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Company B, 212th Sig BN Springdale 21 June 1955
Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 151st AAA Marshall 21 February 1956
HQ and HQ Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 709th Artillery Battalion Paragould 19 May 1955
Battery A, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 326th AAA Battalion (Med Det, 326th AAA BN) Marked Tree 20 July 1955
Battery B, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Company M, 153rd Infantry Blytheville 30 January 1947
Battery C, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 709th Artillery Battalion Piggott 19 September 1955
Service Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 709th Artillery Battalion Rector 24 May 1955
HQ and HQ Battery, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 326th AAA BN West Memphis 22 June 1955
Medical Detachment, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery None West Memphis 1 June 1959
Battery A, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 445th Artillery Battalion (Service Battery, 709th FA BN) Wynne 29 January 1947
Battery B, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 445th Artillery Battalion Forrest City 19 November 1946
Battery C, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 709th Artillery Battalion Augusta 20 June 1955
Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 326th AAA BN West Memphis 14 February 1956

Reorganization of 1963

The Headquarters was redesignated on 1 June 1959 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142d Artillery Group. In 1963 the group was expanded to include five battalions.[64] However the 3rd Battalion, became an element of the 39th Infantry Division Artillery.[65]

New Unit Former Unit Station
HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Group (With Aviation Section) HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Group Fayetteville
HQ and HQ Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery(With Aviation Section) HQ and HQ Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Fayetteville
Battery A, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Bentonville
Battery B, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Siloam Springs
Battery C, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Rogers
Service Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Lincoln
HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Fort Smith
Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Van Buren
Battery B, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Paris
Battery C, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Ozark
Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Charleston
HQ and HQ Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Artillery Harrison
Battery A, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Mountain Home
Battery B, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Berryville
Battery C, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Springdale
HQ and HQ Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Paragould
Battery A, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Marked Tree
Battery B, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Blytheville
Battery C, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Piggott
Service Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Rector
HQ and HQ Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery (With Aviation Section) HQ and HQ Battery, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery West Memphis
Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Wynne
Battery B, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Forrest City
Battery C, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Augusta
Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (155mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery West Memphis

Reorganization of 1967

On 2 November 1967, in accordance with National Guard Bureau Memo NG-AROTO 1002-01, the 142nd Field Artillery Group was again reorganized, to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, with the 3rd, 4th and 5th Battalions being reorganized and redesignated as follows:

New Unit Former Unit Station
HQ and HQ Service Battery (Minus Radar Section, Metro Section, Communications Platoon, 5th Battalion, 206th Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery (With Aviation Section) & Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery West Memphis
Det 1, HQ and HQ Service Battery (Radar Section, Metro Section, Communications Platoon, 5th Battalion, 206th Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 3rd Battalion, 206th Artillery (Honest John) Marianna
Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Wynne
Battery B, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery Battery B, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Forrest City
Battery C, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery Battery C, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Harrisburg
HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Group (With Aviation Section) HQ and HQ Battery, 142nd Artillery Group Fayetteville
HQ and HQ Battery (Minus LN Section, Commo Platoon, and AVN Section), 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Fort Smith
Det 1, HQ and HQ Battery (LN Section, Commo Platoon, and AVN Section), 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Charlston
Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Van Buren
Battery B, 2nd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Siloam Springs
Battery C, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Ozark
Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Service Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Lincoln
HQ and HQ Battery (Minus Battery HQ, Admins Section, Survey Section, LN Section, and Medical Section), 1st Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Harrison
Det 1, HQ and HQ Battery (Battery HQ, Admins Section, Survey Section, LN Section, and Medical Section), 1st Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery HQ and HQ Battery, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery(With Aviation Section) Fayetteville
Battery A, 1st Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery A, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Bentonville
Battery B, 1st Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Springdale
Battery C, 1st Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery C, 1st Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Rogers
Service Battery, 1st Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Battery B, 3rd Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Berryville
Det 1, HQ and HQ Company (Intel Section, Support Section, Commo Section, Equipment Section, and BN Medical Section, 875th Engineer Battalion (Combat) HQ and HQ Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Paragould
Company C (Minus 2nd and 3rd Engineer Platoon), 875th Engineer Battalion (Combat) Battery A, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Marked Tree
Company D (Minus 2nd and 3rd Engineer Platoon), 875th Engineer Battalion (Combat) Battery B, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Blytheville
Det 1, Company D (2nd and 3rd Engineer Platoon), 875th Engineer Battalion (Combat) Service Battery, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Rector
224th Light Maintenance Company (DS) (Minus Maintenance Platoon) Battery A, 3rd Battalion, (155mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Mountain Home
Det1, 224th Light Maintenance Company (DS) (Maintenance Platoon) Company C (Forward Support), 739th Ordnance Battalion Marshall
1123rd Transportation Company Battery B, 2nd Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Paris

The Headquarters was again redesignated on 1 May 1972 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142d Field Artillery Group, and on 1 May 1978 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142d Field Artillery Brigade.

The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade was ordered into active Federal service 2 June 1980 at Fayetteville; released on 3 June 1980 from active Federal service and reverted to state control.

Operation Desert Storm

Howitzer Section Number 1, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery, Crew Members SSG Robert Sampley, Jackie Hickey, Stanley Henson, JR Rankin, Earl Duty
2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery fires against Iraqi positions, Operation Desert Storm, 1991

The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard, with a battalion from Oklahoma, received the alert notification on 15 November 1990 and entered active federal service on 21 November 1990 at Fayetteville. The 142nd mobilized, trained, and was validated at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The 142nd deployed as a whole to support Operation Desert Storm. It was the only National Guard field artillery unit to serve in this capacity. The brigade deployed to Saudi Arabia on 15 January 1991, was attached to the VII Corps, supported the 1st Infantry Division during breaching operations, and supported the 1st United Kingdom Armored Division during the ground campaign. It was released on 11 September 1991 from active federal service and reverted to state control.

The Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade was consolidated on 30 September 1996 with Headquarters Detachment, 937 Signal Battalion, and the consolidated unit was designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142d Field Artillery Brigade.

Multi-National Stabilization Force

In December 1997, the Meteorology Section of HHB, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade deployed to Bosnia as part of the Multinational Stabilization Force, in order to assist with the enforcement of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH).

In 2005, Battery A, 1–142nd was also mobilized and deployed to Kosovo in support of the Multinational Stabilization Force.

The Global War on Terrorism

Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, every unit in the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade has been deployed in support of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.

Operation Noble Eagle

2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery, and the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery were mobilized in 2002 and 2003 in support of Operation Noble Eagle to provide security at critical sites within the United States.

During 2002–2003, 2–142nd Field Artillery units mobilized in support of security operations in critical areas around Arkansas and Louisiana. Battery C, 2–142nd deployed to Fort Polk, Louisiana. Battery B, 2–142nd deployed to Fort Huachuca, and Battery A, 2–142nd deployed to Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

In June 2004 Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery mobilized in support of security operations for Army depots located at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Pueblo, Colorado.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

The 142nd Fires Brigade has mobilized multiple units in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 142nd Fires Brigade deployed to Iraq March 2007 through March 2008 to provide command and control of fire-support assets near Tikrit, Iraq.

Battery B, 1–142nd was deployed to Iraq in November 2005 after completing its required three months of training for deployment in Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon deployment, Battery B, 1–142nd were attached to the 43rd Military Police Brigade then came under the command of the 16th Airborne Brigade during the latter months of deployment. Battery B was sent to FOB Grizzly (Ashraf) to conduct FOB essential missions such as convoy escort, area security patrols, desert LP/OPs, and TCP/ECP. In February 2006 Battery B, 1–142nd was assigned to the infamous prison at FOB Abu Ghraib, leaving behind its 3rd platoon in FOB Grizzly to conduct convoy escorts. In May 2006 3rd platoon rejoined the rest of the battery in Abu Ghraib after many convoy escort missions resulting in no equipment or personnel lost. In July 2006 Battery B, 1–142nd played an essential role in the closure of the prison in Abu Ghraib, the transfer of detainees to, and the opening of Camp Cropper. Battery B, returned from deployment in Iraq in October 2006 with no KIAs and sustaining 4 wounded after completing many dangerous missions. Many soldiers from Battery B were awarded CABs (Combat Action Badge) during the deployment. The Meritorious Unit Commendation for "Exceptionally Meritorious Service" during Operation Iraqi Freedom was awarded to Battery B.

Battery C, 1–142 deployed to Baghdad, Iraq on 19 March 2006 after 3 months of training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The unit was responsible for the base defense and force protection of Camp Cropper until 18 February 2007 when they transferred authority to the 198th FA out of the KY NG. C Battery was responsible for three perimeter towers, four quick reaction force (QRF) patrols and two entry control points (ECP). C Battery also performed area security and escorts for Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) outside the Victory Base Complex. All members of C Battery also performed two to three week rotations at Abu Ghraib prison, to support 3–321 Field Artillery in base defense of Abu Ghraib.

2–142nd received an alert order for mobilization in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2006. The nattalion, minus Charlie Battery, and the 937th Forward Support Company mobilized in July 2006 with duty as a Security Force (SECFOR) unit in Kuwait. 2nd Battalion moved to Camp Shelby, Mississippi in July 2006 and conducted training there until October 2006. The unit deployed to Kuwait and was stationed at Camp Patriot, Kuwait Naval Base and Camp Arifjan. HHB and Alpha Battery were stationed at Camp Patriot with Alpha providing security at Camp Patriot. HHB provided an Area Reaction Force (ARF) covering Southern Kuwait to include Kuwait City. Bravo Battery was stationed at Camp Arifjan and provided security for the port of Ash Shu'aybah, also called the SPOD/E or Sea Port of Debarkation/Embarkation. The units redeployed in October 2007.

Battery C, 2–142nd mobilized in November 2006 with training at Camp Shelby Mississippi. They deployed to Camp Behring, Kuwait for training and forward movement. Battery C's mission was convoy escort SECFOR based out of Tallil Iraq. Charlie Battery completed over 350 convoy escort missions, safely moving over 20,000 white trucks loaded with supplies, food, and fuel from their base at Tallil to as far North as LSA Anaconda and as far west as Taqqaddam. In those 350 plus missions, they had a total of 144 engagements with the enemy, the most of any element in their task force. These attacks included forty six Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonations, forty eight IED discoveries, twenty nine small arms fire attacks, seven complex attacks, and eight rocket propelled grenade (RPG) or indirect fire (IDF) rocket attacks. The average soldier in Battery C conducted approximately fifty three missions while either, driving, gunning or as the truck commander with an average of two thousand miles per month. The unit put over 792,000 hard miles on their Convoy Protection platforms, and close to 4 million miles on the trucks they escorted. Battery C known by their call sign "Cold Steel" performed one of the most dangerous missions in this theater, engaging the enemy, and ultimately being awarded 152 combat action badges. They redeployed in February 2008.

On 1 October 2007 the 217th Brigade Support Battalion of the 142nd Fires Brigade mobilized in support of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's (Arkansas) latest deployment to Iraq. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Company A, 217th, and Company B, 217th deployed to conduct missions ranging from convoy escort, base defense and garrison command. The 217th redeployed in December 2008 only a few days prior to Christmas.

Operation Katrina and humanitarian operations

Elements from every unit in the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade deployed in support of relief operations in the wake of two of the deadliest hurricanes to ever hit the United States. On 1 September 2005 units from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade conducted simultaneous operations in support of relief efforts to those devastated by hurricane Katrina.

In Arkansas, elements of the 142nd mobilized to supported efforts at Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center (FCMTC) to house and feed thousands of displaced civilians from the Gulf Coast region.

Other 142nd units mobilized and conducted convoy operations arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 2 September 2005. The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade officially took command of the Arkansas contingent located in New Orleans in November 2005. Elements of the brigade remained in New Orleans through the end of February 2006 when the National Guard completed its historic six-month operation. Arkansas was one of the first states to respond to this natural disaster and the last state to withdraw from Louisiana. Operation Katrina was one of the largest humanitarian efforts conducted by the National Guard, involving units from all fifty states and four territories.

Fallen soldiers

World War I

There are no recorded combat related deaths in the 142nd Field Artillery for World War I.

World War II

936th Field Artillery Battalion

The 936th sustained one officer and six enlisted soldiers killed and one officer and twenty seven enlisted soldiers wounded.[66]

937th Field Artillery Battalion

The 937th sustained one officer and thirteen enlisted soldiers killed and 126 soldiers wounded.[67]

Korea

936th Field Artillery Battalion

The battalion suffered a total of ten killed and twenty eight wounded during the war including:[68]

937th Field Artillery Battalion

The battalion suffered a total of thirteen killed and 156 wounded during the war including:[69]

Global War on Terrorism

Campaign participation credit

World War I

World War II

  • European-African-Middle Eastern
  • Naples-Foggia
  • Rome-Arno
  • Southern France 1944
  • Rhineland
  • Central Europe 1945
  • Po Valley

Korean War

Southwest Asia

War on Terrorism

Commanders

  1. ^ Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 16
  2. ^ a b Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 15

Current units

Heraldry

Distinctive unit insignia[77]

Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1⁄8 inches (2.9 cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, on a pile Gules between six gunstones pilewise above a Korean Taeguk Proper, a lozenge of the first bearing a fleur-de-lis of the second. Attached below the shield a Red scroll inscribed "TRY TO STOP US" in Gold letters.

Symbolism: Scarlet and yellow (gold) are the colors used for Artillery and a gunstone is symbolic of a missile. The fleur-de-lis refers to the unit's service in France, World War I. The pile alludes to an arrowhead and with the fleur-de-lis represents the organization's assault landing in Southern France, World War II, the gunstones symbolizing the unit's participation in six other campaigns in Europe. The Taeguk refers to the first U.N. counter offensive campaign in the Korean War, and the gunstones are again used to denote the six other campaigns. The lozenge simulates a diamond and refers to Arkansas, denoting the Army National Guard of the State.

Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 142d Artillery Regiment on 9 March 1972. It was redesignated for the 142d Field Artillery Regiment on 28 August 1972.

Coat of arms

Blazon:

Shield: Or, on a pile Gules between six gunstones pilewise above a Korean Taeguk Proper, a lozenge of the first bearing a fleur-de-lis of the second.

Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Arkansas Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules above two sprays of apple blossoms Proper a diamond Argent charged with four mullets Azure, one in upper point and three in lower, within a border of the last bearing twenty-five mullets of the second.

Motto: TRY TO STOP US.

Symbolism:

Shield: Scarlet and yellow (gold) are the colors used for Artillery and a gunstone is symbolic of a missile. The fleur-de-lis refers to the unit's service in France, World War I. The pile alludes to an arrowhead and with the fleur-de-lis represents the organization's assault landing in Southern France, World War II, the gunstones symbolizing the unit's participation in six other campaigns in Europe. The Taeguk refers to the first U.N. counter offensive campaign in the Korean War, and the gunstones are again used to denote the six other campaigns. The lozenge simulates a diamond and refers to Arkansas, denoting the Army National Guard of the State.

Crest: The crest is that of the Arkansas Army National Guard.

Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 142d Artillery Regiment on 23 December 1971. It was amended to correct the blazon of the crest on 30 March 1972. It was redesignated for the 142d Field Artillery Regiment on 28 August 1972.

References

  1. 1 2 "Special Designation Listing". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 [=c "Morgan, James Logan, "Newport's Militia Company, 1892-1895", The Stream of History, Volume 17: Number 3-4 (July–October 1979) Page 39"]. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 5.
  4. ↑ Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897–1900, Thompson Lithograph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 5
  5. ↑ Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897–1900, Thompson Lithograph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 14
  6. ↑ The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, "Spanish American War". Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  7. ↑ "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, Spanish-American War". Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  8. ↑ "Spanish–American War". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Lineage and Honors Certificate, 153rd Infantry, signed John W. Mountcastel, Brigadier General, United States Army, Chief Military History
  10. ↑ Lineage and Honors Certificate, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ 142nd Field Artillery Regiment at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 13 September 2009
  13. ↑ Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 6.
  14. ↑ Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 7.
  15. ↑ Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 8.
  16. ↑ Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 9.
  17. ↑ Biennial Report of the Adjutant General of Arkansas to GEO. w. Donaghey, Governor and Commander and Chief, 1910, Page 6
  18. 1 2 Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 11.
  19. ↑ Prologue Magazine, Winter 1997, Vol. 29, No. 4, "The United States Armed Forces and the Mexican Punitive Expedition: Part 2" by Mitchell Yockelson. Retrieved 24 February 2010,
  20. ↑ War Department, Annual Report of the Secretary of War for the Fiscal Year, 1916, Vol. 1 (1916)
  21. 1 2 "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, Mexican Border". Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  22. ↑ "Military". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  23. ↑ "The Arkansas National Guard, Early History". Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  24. ↑ The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, "Arkansas National Guard". Retrieved 27 January 2010,
  25. ↑ "Fort Smith Adds 15 to Machine Gun Company", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 4 April 1917, p. 3.
  26. ↑ "Arkansas Guards Called 5 August", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 18 May 1917, p. 1.
  27. ↑ "Scores of New Guard Regiments Are Needed", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 23 May 1917, p. 4.
  28. ↑ "Troops at Ft. Root to Help in Parade", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 28 May 1917, p. 1.
  29. ↑ "6,168 Men, 179 Officers in Guard", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 16 July 1917, p. 1.
  30. ↑ "Arkansas Guards Assigned to Alexandria Camp for Training", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 18 July 1917, p. 1.
  31. ↑ "Cantonment Here to be Named Camp Pike after Brig. Gen. Pike", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 16 July 1917, p. 4.
  32. ↑ "Eleven Units Being Mobilized in City", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 6 August 1917, p. 11.
  33. ↑ "2nd and 3rd Arkansas Regiments Coming to Ft. Root", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 15 August 1917, p. 1.
  34. ↑ "2nd Battalion Goes to Camp Pike", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 24 August 1917, p. 1.
  35. ↑ " 'Non-Corns' Named in New Regiment", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 18 August 1917, p. 1.
  36. ↑ "3rd Infantry Is Ordered to Entrain for Training Camp", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 26 September 1917, p. 1.
  37. ↑ "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, World War I". Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  38. ↑ "Shakeup Is Being Made in Arkansas Guard Regiments", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 31 October 1917, page 1., See Also War Department, Annual Reports, 1918, Report of the Chief of the Militia Bureau, Table 14, Page 1184
  39. ↑ US, Historical Section of the Army War College, Order of Battle of The United States Land Forces in The World War (Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1931), p. 247. Hereafter referred to as Order of Battle.
  40. ↑ "2nd Regiment Is Artillery, Officially", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 8 October 1917, p. 3
  41. ↑ "6-inch Howitzer for Ark. Troops", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 18 October 1917, p. 4
  42. ↑ "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, World War I". Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  43. ↑ "Arkansas Troops Under Quarantine", Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 23 October 1917, p. 1,
  44. ↑ Arkansas Adjutant-General, "Special Order Number 1: 5 January 1918" (Microfilm reel Number 4 of unpublished Arkansas Military Department Records on file in Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas).
  45. ↑ "Soldiers Cannot Visit Alexandria", Arkansas Gazette, 4 January 1918, p. 5.
  46. ↑ "Camp Beauregard Shy of Colonels", Arkansas Gazette, 6 January 1918, p. 2.
  47. ↑ "Soldiers Now May Visit Alexandria", Arkansas Gazette, 6 March 1918, p. 1.
  48. ↑ "Beauregard Has Many 'Flu' Cases", Arkansas Gazette, 8 October 1918, p. 2.
  49. ↑ "Camp Regiment Parade", Arkansas Gazette, 24 February 1918, p. 1.
  50. ↑ "39th Division Ready to Fight", Arkansas Gazette, 9 April 1918, p. 1.
  51. ↑ "They Can't Vote Outside of Arkansas", Arkansas Gazette, 10 April 1918, p. 10.
  52. ↑ "Arkansas Troops Arrive in France", Arkansas Gazette, 25 June 1918, p. 1.
  53. ↑ "Many Promoted at Camp Beauregard", Arkansas Gazette, 29 June 1918, p. 8.
  54. ↑ Leonard P. Ayres, The War with Germany: A Statistical Summary (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1917), p. 33 and 102.
  55. ↑ "142 D Artillery Has Been Ordered Home", Arkansas Gazette, 31 March 1919, p. 3.
  56. ↑ "142 0 F.A. Not to Leave Before June", Arkansas Gazette, 14 May. 1919, p. 3.
  57. 1 2 "2nd Arkansas Arrive on Amphion", Arkansas Gazette, 16 June 1919, p. 10.
  58. ↑ Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 31.
  59. ↑ Lineage and Honors Certificate, 142nd Field Artillery, United States Army Center of Military History
  60. 1 2 Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 33.
  61. ↑ The National Guard Education Foundation, National Guard Division Histories (by John Listman, unless otherwise noted), 39th Infantry Division. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  62. 1 2 3 4 "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, Korean Conflict". Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  63. 1 2 Harry, Smith (21 December 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820–1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 43A.
  64. ↑ Smith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. p. 86.
  65. ↑ Mckenney, Janice E., Field Artillery, Part 2, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington D.C., 2010, page 1165.
  66. ↑ Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 117
  67. ↑ Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 151
  68. ↑ Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 218
  69. ↑ Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 266
  70. 1 2 Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 257
  71. 1 2 3 4 Diggs, Col. Jack F., The 142d Field Artillery: 1889–1976, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1976, page 258
  72. ↑ http://www.crdamc.amedd.army.mil/rus-col/_files/collier-background.pdf
  73. ↑ http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=3923
  74. ↑ Lineage and Honor Certificate for the 142nd Field Artillery
  75. ↑ "US Army Campaign Streamers (pg. 49)" (PDF). Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  76. ↑ http://www.arguard.org/docs/unit_structure.pdf
  77. ↑ The Institute of Heraldry. Retrieved 1 February 2010 Archived 17 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine

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