About this Unit
The 559th Artillery Group (SETAF) was a United States Army artillery unit activated in Europe under the Southern European Task Force (SETAF) during the Cold War. Formed in the late 1950s, the group was stationed primarily in Italy, where it played a key role in NATO’s southern flank defense strategy. The 559th was responsible for the command and control of nuclear-capable artillery units, overseeing Honest John and later Sergeant missile systems. The unit was inactivated in the early 1970s as part of US force reductions and the restructuring of NATO’s nuclear posture in Europe.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 559th Artillery Group traces its roots back to World War II, originally activated as a field artillery group in 1944, supporting Allied operations in the European Theater.
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Cold War Role: The unit was reactivated during the Cold War era in Europe, where it played a key role in NATO’s defense posture against potential Warsaw Pact aggression.
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Part of SETAF: The 559th Artillery Group was assigned to the Southern European Task Force (SETAF), a unique U.S. Army command established in Italy to bolster southern NATO defenses.
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Location in Italy: The group was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, and operated in various locations across the Italian peninsula, enhancing U.S. and allied artillery capabilities in southern Europe.
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Honoring Tradition: The 559th carried forward the heraldry and honors of its predecessor units, reflecting a rich legacy of artillery service dating back to WWII.
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Missile Era Transition: During its SETAF service, the group transitioned from traditional artillery to include missile systems, such as the Honest John and Sergeant surface-to-surface missiles, reflecting changing military technology.
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Joint Operations: The 559th regularly conducted joint training and live-fire exercises with Italian military forces, strengthening NATO interoperability.
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Symbolic Insignia: The unit’s distinctive insignia featured crossed cannons and a missile, symbolizing its artillery and missile capabilities.
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Deactivation: The group was eventually inactivated as part of post-Cold War force reductions and restructuring in Europe, but its history remains preserved in U.S. Army records.
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Veteran Community: Former members of the 559th Artillery Group maintain active alumni networks and reunions, preserving camaraderie and the unique legacy of U.S. Army artillery service in Italy.
