2d how bn 31st arty 4th us army fort sill okla.

• World War II Origins: The 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 31st Artillery traces its lineage to the 31st Field Artillery Regiment, which was first constituted in 1918 and saw significant action during World War II. • Korean War Service: Elements of the 31st Artillery were active during the Korean War, providing critical fire support in major battles. • Reactivation at Fort Sill: The 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 31st Artillery was reactivated at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1957 as part of the 4th U.S. Army, a major artillery training and operations center. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the unit was equipped with powerful 155mm self-propelled howitzers, ready to deploy in defense of NATO allies if needed. • Nickname "Proud American": The 31st Field Artillery Regiment is known as "Proud American," a title adopted by its battalions, including the 2d Howitzer Battalion, to reflect their esprit de corps. • Innovations in Artillery: The unit was involved in early testing and integration of advanced fire direction and targeting technologies at Fort Sill, influencing modern artillery tactics. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 31st Artillery's insignia features a red shield and a gold bend with a shell and flame, symbolizing the regiment's artillery heritage. • Vietnam Era Reorganization: In the 1960s, the battalion underwent several redesignations and restructurings as the U.S. Army modernized its artillery forces during the Vietnam era. • Training New Generations: Stationed at Fort Sill, the battalion contributed to the training of thousands of artillerymen, many of whom served in Vietnam and other conflicts. • Legacy of Service: The 2d Howitzer Battalion, 31st Artillery, though inactivated in the late 1960s, left a lasting legacy in U.S. Army artillery doctrine and tradition, with its lineage continuing in present-day 31st Field Artillery units.