2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery

Active 1916-present
Country United States
Branch Army
Type Field artillery
Garrison/HQ Schofield Barracks, HI
Nickname(s) "On Time"
Equipment M119A2 M777A2
Engagements World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Website http://www.25idl.army.mil/2bct/2_11/command.htm
Commanders
Battalion Commander LTC Daniel D. Blackmon
Command Sergeant Major CSM Danford M. Elliott
Notable
commanders		 General J.H. Binford Peay III, 1975-1977
Major General Kenneth R. Dahl, 1998-2000
Insignia
Identification
symbol

The 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment ("On Time") is the field artillery battalion assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. The battalion's missions statement is: "2-11 FAR rapidly deploys by land, air, or sea throughout the Pacific AOR to integrate and deliver lethal and non-lethal fires in order to enable joint and maneuver commanders to dominate their operational environment across the spectrum of operations."[1]

History

World War I

The 11th Field Artillery Regiment (11th FA) was constituted in the Regular Army on 1 July 1916 and was activated on 1 June 1917 at Camp Harry J. Jones, Douglas, Arizona utilizing personnel of the 6th Field Artillery Regiment. The present 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery (2-11 FA) traces its lineage to Battery B, 11th FA (B/11 FA). The 11th FA was originally organized as a horse-drawn heavy artillery regiment equipped with the 4.7 inch howitzer. In November 1917 the 11th FA was as assigned to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade of the 6th Division and then reorganized in January 1918 as a tractor-drawn, 155mm howitzer regiment consisting of three battalions of two batteries each. Each battery was authorized four howitzers. After training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the 11th FA arrived in France on 2 August 1918.

Upon arrival, the regiment was issued French 155mm Schneider Howitzers with a rapid fire capability and a range of seven miles. After intensive training at a French artillery post near the Swiss border, the 11th FA was attached to the 58th Field Artillery Brigade (FA BDE) supporting the 89th Division on 25 October 1918. On 21 October 1918, the 58th FA BDE, including the 11th FA, was transferred north by train to the Argonne Forest area. There on 26 October 1918 the 11th FA went into firing positions east of the Argonne Forest near the village of Avocourt and fired its first rounds into German positions in preparation for the last phase of the Meuse-Argonne campaign that had begun in September.

At 0330 hours 1 November 1918, the massive Allied assault against German positions began with rolling artillery barrages, followed by the 89th Division's infantry brigades jumping off at 0530. The artillery fires were so effective in destroying German positions that by 3 November 1918 the infantry had advanced beyond the range of the artillery. The 11th displaced forward as necessary in support of the advancing infantry during the period of 4–10 November 1918, culminating with the 1st and 2nd Battalions firing in general support of the 89th Division's crossing of the Meuse River at Pouilly during the night of 10 November 1918.

Meanwhile, Battery E of 3rd Battalion had gone into position on 6 November 1918 near Laneuville where it placed effective interdicting fires on the Metz-Sedan Railway, a critical German transport and supply line. On the morning of 11 November 1918, word was passed to the regiment that a cease fire would go into effect at 11:00. That morning a colonel from GHQ arrived at Battery E and directed that in recognition of the battery's neutralization of the Metz-Sedan Railway despite heavy German counter-battery fire, Battery E would have the honor of firing the last officially recorded American shot of the war at 10.59.59. The crew for the howitzer named Calamity Jane was chosen to fire the round; the target was not identified but probably was the Metz-Sedan Railway. The regimental motto "On Time" alludes to this action.

On 14 December 1918, the 11th FA rejoined the 6th Division at Dijon. On 3 June 1919, the 11th FA left France for the United States, arriving at its new duty station, Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, on 19 June 1919. There it was relieved from assignment to the 6th Division on 12 November 1920.

[2][3][4]

Between wars

In 1921, the Hawaiian Division was activated at Schofield Barracks, Territory of Hawaii. The 11th FA was assigned to the Hawaiian Division's 11th FA BDE on 1 March 1921. In addition to the two direct support, 75mm field gun regiments (8th FA and 13th FA) in the 11th FA BDE, the 11th FA was organized with two general support, 155mm howitzer battalions. During the 1930s, both Battery B (in 1933) and Battery A (in 1939) received the Knox Trophy, awarded annually to the best field artillery battery in the US Army. In addition to its primary mission, between 1935 and 1940 the 11th FA was given a secondary mission of reinforcing the island of Oahu's coast artillery defenses. For this mission the regiment was additionally issued 155 millimeter guns.

On 1 October 1941 the units of the Hawaiian Division formed the 24th Infantry Division and the 25th Infantry Division. The 11th FA (including Battery B) was redesignated as the 11th Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) and assigned to the newly activated 24th Infantry Division (ID), retaining the mission of general support for the division.[5][6][7]

World War II

On 7 December 1941, the 11th FAB came under enemy fire as the Japanese aircraft that had bombed Wheeler Army Airfield strafed Schofield Barracks inflicting minor casualties and damage. Hardest hit were the Artillery quadrangles with the 11th sustaining several wounded. The 11th FAB claims to have shot down one of the twenty-nine Japanese planes downed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the attack, the 24th ID executed well-rehearsed operational plans designed to repel an amphibious assault on Oahu. As part of that plan, the 11th FAB moved to its pre-designated defensive firing positions on the north shore of Oahu. Here the battalion would remain until May 1943. Then when replaced by units arriving from the mainland, the 24th underwent offensive combat training followed by departure for Australia in August 1943.

By 8 September 1943, the 24th ID was encamped at Rockhampton, on the Australian northwest coast where it undertook additional intensive training in amphibious operations and jungle warfare in preparation for an amphibious assault on Japanese airfields located at Tanahmorah Bay on the north coast of New Guinea.

On 22 April 1944, the 19th and 21st Infantry Regiments made a surprise amphibious landing at Tanahmorah Bay. The infantry, supported by fires of the Division Artillery including the 11th FAB, moved quickly despite marshy terrain and heavy rains, and overran the lightly defended Hollandia airbase complex consisting of three airstrips. After its capture, the 24th ID remained as a defensive force at Hollandia until the fall of 1944.

The American return to the Philippines began with the liberation of the island of Leyte. The 24th ID landed near the town of Palo on the northwest coast of Leyte on 20 October 1944. Key heights above the beaches were quickly seized by the infantry due in part to the accurate fires of the 11th FAB. From there the division drove north meeting fierce resistance as it reached the north coast of Leyte. South of the town of Pinamopoan the Japanese were well dug in on a ridge called Breakneck and halted the American advance. In bitter fighting during the period 5–8 November, the 11th FAB significantly contributed to turning back a strong Japanese counterattack, then its close fires aided the 21st Infantry in successfully driving the Japanese off the ridge. This victory effectively ended major Japanese resistance in the north of Leyte.

On 18 January 1945 the Dragons were attached to a task force of the 38th Infantry Division that had the mission of blocking Japanese forces from retreating onto the Bataan Peninsula. The task force landed unopposed north of Subic Bay and proceeded south to Olongapo and by 5 February had set up blocking positions on the key highway leading onto Bataan. Moving south on Highway 7, the 38th Infantry Regiment ran into stiff resistance at the Zigzag Pass. The 155 howitzers of the 11th FAB played a key role in destroying the heavily dug in Japanese positions and opening the road towards Manila Bay on 14 February.

The liberation of Mindanao the second largest and most southern of the Philippines Islands began for the 24th Division with amphibious assaults on the island's south-central coast on 17 April 1945. The 24th Division Artillery's mission was to travel 100 miles across the island by road and support the division's attack into the rear of the Japanese garrison defending the city of Davao and the town of Mintal. Going into firing positions on 29 April, the three batteries of the 11th FAB supported the attack of the division's three infantry regiments by destroying enemy gun emplacements overlooking the two towns. After the towns were liberated, the 11th FAB continued to support the infantry clearing operations until a cease fire was ordered upon the surrender of Japan on 15 August 1945.

[8][9][10]

Occupation of Japan

In October 1945 the 11th FAB, along with the rest of the 24th ID, sailed for Japan to serve in the occupation forces. The 11th FAB initially was stationed on the island of Shikoku. In May 1946 it was transferred to Camp Hakata on Kyushu Island. Here the battalion was reduced to two firing batteries and primarily carried out occupation duties with little unit training. By February 1949 only the Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery were active, but by May 1950 both Batteries A and B had been brought up to strength, trained and had successfully passed fire mission tests.

[11][12][13]

Korean War

On 25 June 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea. The 24th Infantry Division was selected to be the first US Army division to respond to the invasion. On 6 July the 11th FAB arrived by ship at the port of Pusan and became the first medium artillery battalion in action. The battalion participated in the defense of Taejon with its batteries attached to the Division Artillery's direct support battalions. On the night of 14–15 July 1950, the 11th FAB was tasked with preventing the North Korean crossing of the Kum River line – in a single engagement; one battery lost 31% of its troops as casualties. On 20 July 1950, after a gallant stand in which it inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking enemy, Battery A was overrun and all six howitzers were destroyed. Battery A was soon reconstituted and the battalion continued to furnish effective fire support for the infantry regiments as they conducted delaying actions back across the Naktong River into the Pusan Perimeter.

Heavy fighting persisted along the Naktong River until mid-September. By then the superiority of the UN and South Korean forces within the Pusan Perimeter combined with General MacArthur's amphibious assault at Inchon on 15 September 1950, sent the North Korean forces into headlong retreat. The 24th ID broke out in pursuit on 19 September 1950, liberating towns that the division had defended in July and August. In Taejon, the 11th FAB recovered the destroyed howitzers that were lost when Battery A was overrun. Fire missions were executed against varying degrees of resistance as the North Koreans fled north. By 18 October 1950, the 11th FAB had crossed the 38th Parallel and by 1 November 1950, the 11th FAB was only 35 miles from the Chinese border.

On 3 November 1950, Chinese forces entered the war, attacking the UN and South Korean units and forcing them into a series of delaying actions back south across the 38th Parallel to defensive positions south of the Han River by 3 January 1951.

Beginning in January 1951 and extending through November 1951 three major campaigns were fought on the Korean peninsula The First UN Counteroffensive, followed by the CCF Spring Offensive and then the UN Summer-Fall Offensive, all of which ultimately resulted in bringing the war to a stalemate in the general vicinity of the 38th Parallel. The 11th FAB participated in all of these campaigns, compiling a record of highly effective fire support to the infantry regiments. In January 1952, the 24th Infantry Division was withdrawn to Japan to serve as part of the Far East strategic reserve.

On 25 July 1953, two days before the signing of the armistice, the 24th returned to Korea to police the POW camps. In February 1954, after restoring order and supervising the POW exchange, the 24th served as a reserve force for units stationed on the Armistice Demarcation Line. In March 1955, the division took up positions on the Demarcation Line in full combat readiness to deter the North Koreans from breaking the armistice On 15 October 1957, the 24th Infantry Division was reduced to zero strength and replaced by the 1st Cavalry Division.

[14][15][16]

Cold War

In 1958, the 24th ID was reorganized under the pentomic structure, and the 11 FAB was relieved from its assignment to the 24th ID and inactivated on 31 March 1958. In June 1958, B/11th FA was reorganized and redesignated as 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 11th Artillery, with its organic elements concurrently constituted and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as subordinate unit of the 3rd Army. In 1966, the unit was redesignated as 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery (2-11 Arty).

[17][18][19]

Vietnam

The 2-11 Arty arrived in Vietnam on 13 December 1966 and was initially assigned to II Field Forces and based at Dầu Tiếng. The battalion also served with Task Force Oregon and with the 23rd Artillery Group. In 1968 it was attached to the 101st Airborne Division. The 2-11 Arty participated in thirteen Vietnam campaigns receiving a Valorous Unit Award for Quang Ngai Province and two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. In 1967, the unit participated in Operation Cedar Falls and Operation Junction City, earning the Meritorious Unit Commendation in the largest offensive operations in Vietnam to date. In 1968, 2-11 Arty took an active part in the Tet Offensive, averaging 1,129 rounds fired per day. Battery B and Battery C each received a Presidential Unit Citation for the period 10–21 May 1969 in support of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division's successful assault on Dong Ap Bia Mountain (Hamburger Hill). Battery C also received a Valorous Unit Award in support of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division for the period 17 April-7 May 1969. In Vietnam, 2-11 Arty was required not only to fire as batteries, but also frequently as separate platoons or sections, often hundreds of miles apart. In 1971, the battalion was redesignated as 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery (2-11 FA). On 13 September 1972, 2-11 FA was assigned to the 25th Division. The 2-11 FA returned home from Vietnam in January 1972.

[20][21][22]

Post-Vietnam

After Vietnam, 2-11 FA remained with the 25th ID at Schofield Barracks, HI. The division was focused on the Pacific region, conducting training in various locations from Korea (including annual Team Spirit exercises until 1993), to Thailand and Australia, as well as rotations to the Joint Readiness Training Center beginning in 1988.

[23][24][25][26]

Global War on Terror

In January 2004, the 2-11 FA deployed to Iraq in support with 2nd Brigade, 25th ID during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The "On Time" battalion fired over 4,000 rounds in direct support of operations, including counter-fire that significantly disrupted insurgent rocket attacks. Simultaneously, 2-11 FA conducted security and stability operations around the city of Kirkuk by conducting patrols and working with the Iraqi Security Forces, Local Police, Iraqi National Guard, and Iraqi Border Patrol to be stronger and more efficient against the insurgents seeking to undermine the security and rebuilding of Iraq. The 2-11 FA received a Valorous Unit Award and participation credit for the Transition of Iraq and the Iraqi Governance campaigns.[27]

In 2007, 2-11 FA became the first unit in the US Army to be equipped with the M777A2.

From December 2007 to March 2009, 2-11 FA served a fifteen-month tour of duty in Iraq. Based at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, 2-11 FA fired over 2000 rounds in support of brigade operations with Iraqi security forces northwest and west of Bagdhad to eliminate terrorist cells and destroy weapons caches, while simultaneously conducting route clearance, EPRT security, and Base Defense Operation missions. The 2-11 FA received participation credit for the National Resolution campaign.

From July 2010 to June 2011, the 2-11 FAR deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Immediately upon arrival at Joint Base Balad the task force began conducting advise and assist operations with the Samarra Operations Command and the 17th Iraqi Army Brigade, responsible for a 6,500 square kilometer area of operations that included the Samarra, Balad, and Dujayl Qadas of southern Salah ad Din Province. During this period, the task force additionally conducted Operation Mobile Warrior, employing three Mobile Training Teams to train Iraqi Army Division and Brigade staffs, Commando companies, and Field Artillery batteries throughout Salah ad Din and Diyala Provinces. Due in part to the task force efforts, a training foundation within the 4th and 5th Iraqi Army Divisions was created, assisting the Iraqis in their development of an internal and external defense capability and increased capacity. Under Task Force 2-11 supervision, the 5th Iraqi Army Division fired the first live artillery rounds since the beginning of OIF. The 2-11 FA was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 1 July 2010 to 24 June 2011.[28]

[29][30][31]

Lineage & honors

Lineage

Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as Battery B, 11th Field Artillery

Organized 1 June 1917 at Douglas, Arizona

(11th Field Artillery assigned in November 1917 to the 6th Division; relieved 12 November 1920 from assignment to the 6th Division; assigned 1 March 1921 to the Hawaiian Division [later redesignated as the 24th Infantry Division])

Reorganized and redesignated 1 October 1941 as Battery B, 11th Field Artillery Battalion

Inactivated 31 March 1958 and relieved from assignment to the 24th Infantry Division; concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 11th Artillery

Redesignated 2 June 1958 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Howitzer Battalion, 11th Artillery (organic elements concurrently constituted)

Battalion activated 21 June 1958 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Redesignated 8 April 1966 as the 2d Battalion, 11th Artillery

Redesignated 1 September 1971 as the 2d Battalion, 11th Field Artillery

Assigned 13 September 1972 to the 25th Infantry Division

Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 2d Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment

Assigned 16 October 2005 to the 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division

Source: 2-11 FA Official Lineage & Honors page

Campaign participation credit

World War I

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam

War on Terrorism

Campaigns to be determined

Source: 2-11 FA Official Lineage & Honors page

Decorations

Battery B additionally entitled to: Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gal¬lantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969, 1970

Battery C additionally entitled to: Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered THUA THIEN PROVINCE

Source: 2-11 FA Official Lineage & Honors page

Honors that are marked with an asterisk are those that were earned by the battalion or its predecessor. Unmarked honors are honors shared by all the regiment's elements based on having been earned by one of the other battalions.[32]

Heraldry

Distinctive unit insignia

Description/blazon

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, on a bend Gules, three alerions of the field, in dexter base a six-pointed mullet of the second. On a sinister canton of the like a winged centaur courant with bow and arrow Argent. Above the shield on the wreath Or and Gules, a lion rampant Sable, grasping in his dexter paw a six-pointed mullet Gules. Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Red scroll inscribed "ON TIME" in Gold letters.

Symbolism

The 11th Field Artillery was formed by the transfer of personnel from the 6th Field Artillery and served in France in the 6th Division, its battle service being in the province of Lorraine. The arms of Lorraine have three alerions on the red band, the field being gold. To this is added the insignia of the 6th Division and, on a canton, the crest of the 6th Field Artillery. The crest is a black lion rampant taken from the arms of Stenay in commemoration of the principal action of the Regiment, which was in support of the 89th Division during the crossing of the Meuse near Stenay. The insignia of the 6th Division is in the lion's paw.

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 11th Field Artillery Regiment on 7 November 1922. It was amended to correct the description on 7 December 1923. It was redesignated for the 11th Field Artillery Battalion on 11 July 1942. The insignia was redesignated for the 11th Artillery Regiment on 13 August 1958. It was amended to correct and clarify the background history and significance of the design as given in the description of the original approval on 10 March 1959. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 1971, for the 11th Field Artillery Regiment.[33]

Coat of arms

Description/Blazon

Shield: Or, on a bend Gules, three alerions of the field, in dexter base a six-pointed mullet of the second. On a sinister canton of the like a winged centaur courant with bow and arrow Argent (for the 6th Field Artillery).

Crest: On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, a lion rampant Sable, langued Gules, grasping in his dexter paw a six-pointed mullet as on shield.

Motto: ON TIME.

Symbolism

Shield

The 11th Field Artillery was formed by the transfer of personnel from the 6th Field Artillery and served in France in the 6th Division, its battle service being in the province of Lorraine. The arms of Lorraine have three alerions on the red band, the field being gold. To this is added the insignia of the 6th Division and, on a canton, the crest of the 6th Field Artillery.

Crest

The crest is a black lion rampant taken from the arms of Stenay in commemoration of the principal action of the Regiment, which was in support of the 89th Division during the crossing of the Meuse near Stenay. The insignia of the 6th Division is in the lion's paw.

Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 11th Field Artillery Regiment on 11 March 1920. It was redesignated for the 11th Field Artillery Battalion on 29 June 1942. The insignia was redesignated for the 11th Artillery Regiment on 13 August 1958. It was amended to correct and clarify the background history and significance of the design as given in the description of the original approval on 10 March 1959. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 1971, for the 11th Field Artillery Regiment.[34]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.25idl.army.mil/2bct/2_11/mission.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  3. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  4. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  6. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  7. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  9. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  10. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  12. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  13. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  15. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  16. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  17. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  18. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  19. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  20. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  21. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  22. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  23. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  24. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  25. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  26. ↑ http://cybersarges.tripod.com/25history.html
  27. ↑ http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/HRC/2008/309-002_20081104_HRCMD.pdf
  28. ↑ http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/HRC/2011/256-14_20110913_HRCMD.pdf
  29. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/11thFA.html#Today
  30. ↑ http://www.25thida.org/units2.html#FArtillery
  31. ↑ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-11fa.htm
  32. ↑ http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lh.html
  33. ↑ http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=3416&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services
  34. ↑ http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryMulti.aspx?CategoryId=3416&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services
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