5th:81st Arty

The 5th Battalion, 81st Artillery (5th/81st Arty) traces its lineage to the 81st Field Artillery Regiment, first constituted in 1917. The unit was reactivated and redesignated multiple times, serving prominently during the Vietnam War as part of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), where it provided critical fire support with 155mm self-propelled howitzers. The 5th/81st Arty played a vital role in major operations, including the Tet Offensive and campaigns across the Central Highlands. After Vietnam, the battalion continued to serve as a key artillery unit until its eventual inactivation during post-war Army reductions.