3RD BN 81ST ARTILLERY

• Formation and World War II: The 3rd Battalion, 81st Field Artillery (originally constituted as Battery C, 81st Field Artillery) was first activated in 1917 and saw various reorganizations before and during World War II. • Korean War Service: The battalion was reactivated and served with distinction during the Korean War, providing vital artillery support to U.S. and allied forces. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the 3rd Battalion, 81st Artillery was stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army’s commitment to NATO and European defense. • Redesignation: The unit was redesignated several times, reflecting the Army’s changing organizational structure, and was known at different times as the 3rd Battalion, 81st Artillery and 3rd Battalion, 81st Field Artillery. • Pershing Missile Era: In the 1970s and 1980s, the battalion operated Pershing nuclear missiles, making it a key element in the U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy in Europe. • Iconic Insignia: The unit’s distinctive insignia includes a red shield representing artillery, and a gold lion’s head symbolizing courage and readiness. • Deactivation and Legacy: The battalion was inactivated in the 1990s following the end of the Cold War and the elimination of intermediate-range nuclear forces in Europe. • Training Mission: In its later years, the 3rd Battalion, 81st Field Artillery served as a training unit at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, helping prepare new generations of artillerymen. • Notable Personnel: Over the decades, the unit produced several highly decorated soldiers and leaders, some of whom went on to prominent roles in the Army. • Unit Motto: The battalion’s motto, “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready), reflects its history of rapid deployment and readiness for action anywhere in the world.