3:83rd FA

• Unit Designation: The 3rd Battalion, 83rd Field Artillery Regiment (3/83rd FA) was a U.S. Army artillery unit, originally constituted during World War I as part of the 83rd Field Artillery. • Cold War Mission: During the Cold War, 3/83rd FA was stationed in West Germany and tasked with operating nuclear-capable 8-inch self-propelled howitzers and later Pershing missiles as part of NATO’s forward defense strategy. • Location: The unit was headquartered in Herzo Base, near Herzogenaurach, in Bavaria, Germany—a strategically significant location for U.S. forces in Europe. • Pershing Missiles: 3/83rd FA played a key role in the deployment and maintenance of the Pershing 1 and Pershing 1a ballistic missile systems, which were a crucial part of U.S. nuclear deterrence in Europe. • Lineage: The battalion’s lineage traces back to the 83rd Field Artillery, originally organized at Camp Funston, Kansas, in 1917. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The unit’s insignia features a gold lion and a red field, symbolizing courage and artillery—reflecting its proud heritage. • Deactivation: The 3/83rd FA was inactivated in the late 1980s as part of the drawdown of U.S. nuclear forces in Europe following arms reduction agreements. • Community Engagement: Soldiers of 3/83rd FA often participated in local German community events, fostering goodwill and military-civilian relations during their deployment. • Training and Readiness: The battalion was known for its rigorous training schedules—including live-fire exercises—ensuring rapid response capability at all times. • Veteran Legacy: Veterans of 3/83rd FA maintain an active network, preserving the unit’s history through reunions and dedicated online groups, sharing stories and memorabilia from their service.