3-13 Field Artillery Battalion

The 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery was originally constituted on June 3, 1916, in the Regular Army as Battery C, 13th Field Artillery. The battalion was formed with remnants of the old 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Battery “D”, the unit which Alexander Hamilton fought with during the Revolutionary War.

The unit sailed for France in May of 1918 to fight the Germans in World War I. The unit’s two most notable achievements were a march from Esnes to Malincourt during the night of 26-27 September 1918 against heavy resistance, and a battle on the Vesle River when heavy losses were sustained, and two pieces were put out of action by direct hits. The night march to Malincourt is commemorated by the Dragons Crest, the mythical animal typifying the inferno that prevailed the night. The Vesle episode is commemorated by the broken howitzer on the coat of arms.

On March 1, 1921, the unit was assigned to the Hawaiian Division and made its headquarters at Schofield Barracks. On December 7, 1941, the Soldiers of the unit were among the first to receive enemy fire from the Japanese planes flying overhead which sparked the United States’ direct involvement in World War II.

On April 22, 1944, the unit landed with the 24th Infantry Division on the beaches of Tanahmerah Bay, the Hollandia Airdromes as their objective. The skillful and accurate fires of the unit were credited as the decisive factor in the rapid capture of the objective.

After the United States defeated the Japanese, the unit moved to Japan as part of the Occupation Force to demilitarize the Japanese Army. It was in Japan that the unit was called into war again, this time in Korea. Supporting the 24th Infantry Division, the unit landed at Pusan in July of 1950. The unit distinguished itself again in the defense of Korea and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

On April 1, 1960, the unit was redesignated as the 3rd Howitzer Battalion, 13th Field Artillery, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, and activated once again at Schofield Barracks. It was with the 25th Infantry Division that the battalion deployed to Vietnam in 1966. The unit again distinguished itself by being awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its efforts in Vietnam. The unit was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

On September 1, 1971, the battalion was redesignated as the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment to assume its new duty assignment under III Corps Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The battalion deployed C Battery in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. The battalion deployed, minus C Battery, in support of Operation Iraq Freedom III in January 2005, and was the first Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) battalion to fire the GMLRS rocket in combat.

C Battery again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III in June 2005. The 3rd Battalion, the only active battalion within the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, was reassigned to the 75th Fires Brigade on June 29, 2006.

After being reassigned, the battalion consisted of a Headquarters Battery, two combat-ready MLRS batteries, and the attached 66th Forward Support Company (FSC) from the 100th Brigade Support Battalion. Between 2006 and 2015 the battalion deployed to various locations throughout the Middle East supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. From 2016 to 2023, Alpha and Bravo Batteries and 66th FSC have completed three rotations to the Republic of Korea.

The battalion motto “Without Fear, Favor, or the Hope of Reward,” shows the dedication and bravery embodied by each individual in regard to completing the mission.