3:320th FA

• World War I Origins: The 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment (3/320th FA) traces its lineage to the original 320th Field Artillery, which was constituted in the National Army on August 5, 1917, and assigned to the 82nd Division. • Combat Debut in France: The 320th FA fought in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives in World War I, providing critical artillery support for American advances. • World War II Paratroopers: Reorganized as the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, the unit became part of the famed 82nd Airborne Division, supporting airborne operations in Sicily, Normandy, and the Rhineland. • Normandy Landings: On D-Day, elements of the 320th GFAB landed in Normandy via glider, providing vital artillery support to paratroopers behind enemy lines. • Operation Market Garden: The battalion participated in the largest airborne operation of WWII, crossing into the Netherlands to support the 82nd Airborne’s mission to capture key bridges. • Reorganization for the Cold War: After WWII, the unit underwent several reorganizations, at one point being designated as the 3rd Battalion, 320th Artillery, and later as the 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery. • Vietnam Service: The 3/320th FA served with distinction as part of the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam, providing artillery fire support during numerous operations. • Persian Gulf War: Deployed as part of Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991, the battalion provided artillery support for the 101st Airborne Division’s deep attack into Iraq. • Global War on Terror: The 3/320th FA deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting both conventional and counterinsurgency operations. • Distinguished Honors: The unit has received numerous decorations, including Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guerre, and the Belgian Fourragere, reflecting its storied combat history.