2-4 Field Artillery Battalion
"Deep Attack"
Mission Statement
The 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, places people first and builds lethality for large-scale combat operations, on order deploys world-wide to provide accurate, timely, and decisive rocket and missile fires in support of III Armored Corps
History: 2-4th Field Artillery Regiment
The 4th Field Artillery traces its lineage back to February 1901 as constituted in the 28th Battery, Field Artillery Corps. Its Distinctive Unit Insignia is derived from actions during the Philippine Insurrection. As the story goes, the Regiment fought all day long during the Battle of Jolo Jolo under a blazing sun. This is represented by the Aztec sun depicted as a red field and yellow outline. The Moro tribesmen they fought carried distinctive wavy-bladed knives called the Kris while the Soldiers wielded bolo machetes, which are both represented in the unit insignia.
In 1907, the regiment was re-designated as B Battery, 4th Field Artillery (Mountain) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While serving as pack artillery, the unit adopted the motto “Nulli Vestigia Restrorsum” (meaning: no step backwards) which reflected the sure footedness of the mules in the mountains.
In 1916, the regiment fought under General “Blackjack” Pershing as part of the Mexican Punitive Expedition. Between conflicts, COL Snow commanded the regiment before becoming the 1st Field Artillery Commandant.
In 1940 the regiment deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations serving primarily as a security force. The 2nd Battalion later served with distinction in Vietnam as a 105mm towed unit from 1966 until 1970. Its Soldiers earned the Valorous Unit Award, four Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, two Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medals, and a Medal of Honor received by Sergeant (then Private First Class) Sammy Davis.
On 16 June 1996, 2nd Battalion was reconstituted as a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Battalion. In November 2002, 2nd Battalion fielded the M270A1 MLRS Launcher and subsequently deployed to Southwest Asia in February 2003. On 20 March 2003, the battalion became the first ground component unit to fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to include the first combat use of the unitary Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
Between 2006 and 2012, A, B, and C Batteries and 696 Forward Support Company attachments supported four separate deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Between 2017 and 2023, A and B Batteries and 696th FSC have executed three separate rotations to the Republic of Korea.
The Deep Attack Battalion today maintains the motto “No Step Backwards,” reflecting pride in their artillery lineage that is symbolic of the effort and dedication they maintain toward mission accomplishment.