123rd Signal Battalion

• Origins in World War I: The 123rd Signal Battalion traces its lineage to signal companies formed during World War I, supporting communications for the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division. • Assigned to 3rd Infantry Division: The battalion has long served as the organic signal unit of the 3rd Infantry Division, one of the Army's most storied divisions. • Normandy Invasion: Members of the 123rd Signal Battalion landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, providing vital communications for advancing forces. • Red Ball Express: During World War II, the battalion supported the famous "Red Ball Express" logistics operation, ensuring smooth communication lines for supply convoys across France. • Korean War Service: The unit saw action in the Korean War, supporting the 3rd Infantry Division in major battles and ensuring effective command and control. • Cold War in Europe: Stationed in Germany during the Cold War, the 123rd Signal Battalion played a key role in NATO communications and readiness. • Digital Transition: In the 1980s and 1990s, the battalion was among the first Army units to transition from analog to digital communications technology. • Bosnia and Kosovo Deployments: The 123rd Signal Battalion deployed to the Balkans in the 1990s, supporting peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion provided critical communications during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, ensuring real-time coordination for the 3rd Infantry Division’s rapid advance. • Deactivation: After nearly a century of service, the 123rd Signal Battalion was inactivated in 2004 as part of Army transformation, but its legacy continues in the history of Army communications.