1:5 FA, 1ID

• Oldest Regular Army Unit: The 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment (1/5 FA) is the oldest regular army unit on continuous active duty in the United States Army, tracing its lineage back to 6 January 1776. • Alexander Hamilton’s Battery: The unit was originally formed as Captain Alexander Hamilton’s New York Provincial Company of Artillery, making it one of the founding units of the American artillery branch. • Active in Every Major U.S. Conflict: 1/5 FA has participated in nearly every major American conflict, including the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. • French Croix de Guerre: For its distinguished service during World War I, the 5th Field Artillery was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. • Normandy Landings: The unit landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944, as part of the 1st Infantry Division, providing crucial artillery support during the Normandy campaign. • Nickname “Hamilton’s Own”: The battalion is proudly known as “Hamilton’s Own” in honor of its founder, Alexander Hamilton, and this nickname is featured on its unit insignia. • First to Fire in World War I: The 5th Field Artillery was the first American unit to open fire against the Germans in World War I, firing the first U.S. artillery round on 23 October 1917. • Regimental Motto: The unit’s motto is “Faithful and True,” reflecting its long-standing reputation for loyalty and reliability. • Presidential Unit Citation: 1/5 FA has received multiple Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism in action, notably during the Normandy and Hurtgen Forest campaigns in World War II. • Modern Deployments: In recent years, 1/5 FA has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing both traditional artillery fire support and training for local security forces as part of the 1st Infantry Division ("Big Red One").