85th Field Artillery

• Formation: The 85th Field Artillery was originally constituted on 1 July 1917 in the National Army as the 85th Field Artillery and assigned to the 15th Division. • World War I Service: Although organized during World War I, the 85th Field Artillery did not see combat as the 15th Division was demobilized before deploying overseas. • Reconstitution: The unit was reconstituted in the Regular Army in 1930, reflecting the U.S. Army’s post-WWI restructuring efforts. • World War II Activation: The 85th Field Artillery Battalion was activated on 1 June 1941 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, as the United States began mobilizing for World War II. • Combat Participation: The 85th Field Artillery Battalion participated in major campaigns, including the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns. • Role in D-Day: The battalion provided critical fire support for the Allied landings in Normandy on D-Day, helping to secure beachheads and support infantry advances. • Post-War Occupation: After World War II, the battalion served in the Army of Occupation in Germany, helping to maintain order and rebuild war-torn Europe. • Decorations: The unit earned campaign streamers for its participation in five major European campaigns during World War II. • Cold War Service: The 85th Field Artillery underwent several redesignations and reassignments during the Cold War, reflecting the evolving needs of U.S. Army artillery forces. • Legacy: Elements of the 85th Field Artillery continue to serve in various forms, with its lineage and honors carried on by successor units in the U.S. Army.