39TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION

• World War II Formation: The 39th Field Artillery Battalion was constituted on July 1, 1918, as part of the National Army and reactivated for World War II service on June 1, 1940, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. • Assignment to Famous Division: The battalion was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, one of the most decorated divisions in the U.S. Army during World War II. • North Africa Campaign: The 39th Field Artillery Battalion landed in Morocco as part of Operation Torch in November 1942, providing crucial artillery support in the North African Theater. • Sicily and Italy Invasions: The battalion participated in the Allied invasions of Sicily (Operation Husky) and mainland Italy, supporting the push against Axis forces. • Anzio Beachhead: The unit played a central role in defending the Anzio beachhead during the fierce fighting in early 1944, enduring intense German counterattacks. • Southern France Landing: The 39th Field Artillery Battalion was part of Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of Southern France in August 1944, and advanced rapidly through French territory. • Crossing the Rhine: The battalion supported the 3rd Infantry Division’s historic crossing of the Rhine River at Oppenheim in March 1945, helping to break German defensive lines. • Decorations and Honors: The unit received several prestigious decorations, including Presidential Unit Citations and foreign awards such as the French Croix de Guerre for its heroic actions. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, the 39th Field Artillery Battalion again served with distinction, supporting infantry assaults and defensive operations throughout the conflict. • Legacy and Deactivation: The battalion has been inactivated and reactivated multiple times, with its legacy preserved as part of the proud artillery tradition of the U.S. Army and the storied history of the 3rd Infantry Division.