1:21st FA

• Origins in World War I: The 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment (1/21st FA) traces its lineage back to its constitution on 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as Battery A, 21st Field Artillery. • Service in World War II: The unit saw extensive combat in World War II as part of the 5th Infantry Division, participating in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. • Redleg Nickname: Like other artillery units, 1/21st FA is known colloquially as “Redlegs,” a tradition dating back to the red stripe on Civil War artillerymen's uniforms. • Vietnam War Deployment: The battalion was deployed to Vietnam, where it provided crucial artillery support in numerous operations throughout the conflict. • Transformation to Rocket Artillery: In modern times, 1/21st FA has fielded the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), providing long-range precision fire support. • Gulf War Participation: The unit was activated and deployed as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, delivering devastating firepower during the liberation of Kuwait. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion’s insignia features a gold lion and a blue background, symbolizing courage and the unit’s European campaigns. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: 1/21st FA participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, supporting maneuver units with precision rocket and missile strikes. • Nickname "Gimlet Guns": The battalion is often referred to as the “Gimlet Guns,” linking it with its parent infantry regiment, the "Gimlets" of the 21st Infantry. • Global Deployments: Over its history, the 1/21st FA has deployed to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, demonstrating the global reach and adaptability of U.S. Army Field Artillery.