2:321st FA

• Origins in World War I: The 2nd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery (2/321st FA) was originally constituted in the National Army on 5 August 1917 and assigned to the 82nd Division (later 82nd Airborne Division). • First Combat in World War I: The unit saw its first combat during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives in 1918, providing artillery support with French 75mm guns. • Glider Artillery Unit in WWII: During World War II, the 2/321st FA was reactivated as a glider artillery battalion, specializing in airborne operations and dropping into battle via gliders. • D-Day and Normandy: On 6 June 1944, elements of the battalion landed in Normandy as part of the Allied invasion, supporting the 82nd Airborne Division’s operations. • Operation Market Garden: The unit participated in the largest airborne operation of WWII, Operation Market Garden, in the Netherlands in September 1944, providing crucial fire support. • Bastogne and the Ardennes: The battalion played a key role in the Battle of the Bulge, notably supporting the defense of Bastogne during the harsh winter of 1944-1945. • Vietnam War Service: The 2/321st FA was deployed to Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division, supporting major operations such as Operation Hawthorne and the Battle of Dak To. • Modernization: The unit has seen multiple activations, inactivations, and reorganizations, adapting to new artillery technologies and tactics throughout its history. • Decorations: The 2/321st FA has received numerous citations and decorations, including Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guerre, and Belgian Fourragère, for its valor in combat. • Legacy: Although inactivated in 2014, the history and lineage of the 2/321st FA are preserved by the U.S. Army, honoring its legacy of airborne artillery excellence.