197th Ordnance Bn.

• World War II Origins: The 197th Ordnance Battalion was originally constituted during World War II, a period when the U.S. Army rapidly expanded its ordnance and logistics capabilities to support the war effort across multiple theaters. • European Campaigns: The unit played a crucial role in the European Theater, providing vital ammunition and ordnance support to frontline units during significant campaigns. • Normandy Invasion Support: Elements of the 197th were instrumental in supplying ammunition and explosives during and after the D-Day landings, ensuring the success of Allied advances in France. • Korean War Service: The battalion was reactivated for the Korean War, where it supported United Nations forces with ordnance supply and maintenance, often under challenging combat conditions. • Vietnam War Deployments: The 197th Ordnance Battalion saw service in Vietnam, earning campaign streamers for their support of combat operations and their work in maintaining the Army's firepower edge. • Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD): At various times in its history, the battalion has included EOD companies, specializing in the detection, disarming, and disposal of explosive threats. • Cold War Readiness: The unit was stationed in Europe during the Cold War, supporting NATO forces and maintaining readiness for potential large-scale conflict with the Warsaw Pact. • Operation Desert Storm: The battalion played a significant role in Operation Desert Storm, providing logistical and maintenance support for coalition forces during the liberation of Kuwait. • Global War on Terror: Elements of the 197th Ordnance Battalion have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where they supported combat operations and conducted EOD missions to counter IED threats. • Unit Honors and Decorations: Over its history, the 197th Ordnance Battalion has been awarded multiple campaign streamers and unit citations for its service and dedication to mission success.