About this Unit
The 13th Directorate of Personnel and Distribution (13th DPD), based at Fort Hood, Texas, was established to oversee personnel management and distribution for key Army units in the region. Throughout its history, the 13th DPD played a crucial role in supporting deployment operations, ensuring troops were efficiently mobilized and assigned during major conflicts such as Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. The unit became known for its advanced personnel tracking systems, which improved the readiness and effectiveness of combat forces stationed at Fort Hood. Today, the 13th DPD's legacy continues through its commitment to supporting soldiers and enhancing the operational capabilities of the U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
• Origins: The 13th DPD (likely referring to the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), formerly 13th Support Command) was first activated at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1965 to provide logistical support to III Corps and other units.
• Nickname: The unit is known as the "Wagonmasters," a nod to its vital logistics and transportation role, tracing the lineage to the wagon trains that supplied armies in the past.
• Vietnam War Support: During the Vietnam War, the 13th provided critical training and deployment support for units deploying to Southeast Asia.
• Desert Shield/Storm: The 13th played a major role in deploying and sustaining U.S. forces during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, earning several unit citations for excellence.
• Global Reach: The unit has supported operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Somalia, Haiti, and Afghanistan, showcasing its global logistical capabilities.
• Humanitarian Missions: The 13th has frequently been called upon for disaster relief efforts, including Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief operations in the U.S.
• Transformation: In 2006, the command was designated as an Expeditionary Sustainment Command, reflecting its modular and deployable nature in modern Army operations.
• Distinctive Unit Insignia: The insignia features a gold wagon wheel with thirteen spokes, representing both mobility and the unit’s numerical designation.
• Fort Hood Connection: Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) in Texas has been the home station for the 13th for most of its history, making it a central logistics hub for the Army.
• Modern Deployments: The 13th has supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, with soldiers deploying to provide sustainment and support to combat units throughout Southwest Asia.
