2:39th Field Artillery

2:39th Field Artillery Homepage Photos Members

Relive and share the memories of your service-time with your brothers and sisters in arms today. VetFriends.com can help you reconnect.

Did you proudly serve in the 2:39th Field Artillery?

Are you looking for someone who is or was in the 2:39th Field Artillery?

Do you have 2:39th Field Artillery photos you'd like to share?

Then join a community with your brothers and sisters of the 2:39th Field Artillery.

Branch

U.S. Army

Members

About 2:39th Field Artillery

The 2nd Battalion, 39th Field Artillery Regiment (2/39th FA) was constituted on 5 July 1918 and organized at Camp McClellan, Alabama, during World War I. The unit was later inactivated and reactivated multiple times, serving prominently during World War II as part of the 3rd Infantry Division, where it participated in campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. The battalion provided crucial fire support in key operations, including the liberation of Southern France and the advance into Germany. After the war, the 2/39th FA underwent several reorganizations and is currently inactivated, but its legacy endures through its distinguished combat record and numerous unit citations.

Unit Members

Patricia Burgess

U.S. Army

2:39th Field ArtilleryView Profile

Steven Kiziah

U.S. Army

2:39th Field ArtilleryView Profile

Photos

Xmas at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

U.S. Marine Corps • 2011

Trying to fix generator

U.S. Army • 1968

About 2:39th Field Artillery

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• World War II Origins: The 2nd Battalion, 39th Field Artillery Regiment (2/39th FA) was constituted on 1 October 1933 and activated for World War II, supporting the legendary 3rd Infantry Division in campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. • Salerno Landings: 2/39th FA played a crucial role in the Salerno landings (Operation Avalanche) in September 1943, providing vital artillery support as Allied forces established a beachhead in Italy. • Heroic Actions in Anzio: During the Anzio campaign, the battalion delivered continuous fire missions under dire conditions, helping repel fierce German counterattacks. • Presidential Unit Citation: For their extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in WWII, the 39th Field Artillery earned multiple unit citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation for their actions at Colmar Pocket. • Cold War Reorganizations: After WWII, the 2/39th FA was inactivated and reactivated several times, reflecting the shifting needs of the US Army during the Cold War era. • Vietnam War Service: The battalion was reactivated and deployed to Vietnam in 1966, providing direct artillery support to infantry operations, particularly for the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. • Riverine Operations: 2/39th FA adapted to unique "riverine" warfare in Vietnam, using artillery firebases accessible by boat to support mobile infantry units operating in the challenging delta terrain. • Firepower Innovation: In Vietnam, the battalion was among the first to deploy the M102 105mm howitzer, a lighter artillery piece suited for helicopter and boat transport, enhancing mobility. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 39th FA’s insignia features a red shield with a gold bend and a cannon, symbolizing artillery, with the motto "Celeritas et Accuratio" (Speed and Accuracy). • Modern Legacy: Today, the 2/39th FA’s lineage is perpetuated through ceremonial and training roles, with its history honored by veterans and commemorated in US Army traditions.