3:6th FA

• Origins: The 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment (3/6th FA) traces its lineage back to 1798, making it one of the oldest active artillery units in the U.S. Army. • War of 1812: The unit's early predecessors fought in the War of 1812, supporting American forces in key engagements against British troops. • Civil War Service: Elements of the 6th Field Artillery saw extensive action during the Civil War, participating in major battles such as Gettysburg and Antietam. • World War I: The 6th Field Artillery Regiment, including its 3rd Battalion, earned distinction as part of the 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One"), firing the first U.S. artillery round of the war. • Famous Commanders: Notable figures such as Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Patch, who later commanded the Seventh Army in World War II, served with the unit. • World War II Campaigns: 3/6th FA participated in the North African, Sicilian, and European campaigns, providing critical fire support in some of the largest battles of the war. • Motto and Symbolism: The battalion’s motto is "Celer et Audax" ("Swift and Bold"), and its distinctive unit insignia features a red cannon, signifying its artillery heritage. • Cold War Deployments: During the Cold War, 3/6th FA was stationed in Germany as part of NATO forces, prepared to defend Western Europe from potential Soviet aggression. • Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: In the 21st century, the battalion deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, providing artillery support and conducting counterinsurgency operations. • Honors and Citations: 3/6th FA has received numerous unit citations and campaign streamers, including the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action.