Btry A 2nd How Bn 35th Arty USARSEVEN

• Origins: Battery A, 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 35th Artillery (Btry A, 2nd How Bn, 35th Arty) traces its lineage to the 35th Field Artillery Regiment, first constituted in the National Army in 1918 during World War I. • World War II Service: As part of the 35th Field Artillery Battalion, the unit participated in key European campaigns, including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. • Korean War: The 35th Field Artillery Battalion was reactivated and served in the Korean War, providing crucial artillery support in several major battles. • USARSEVEN Assignment: The "USARSEVEN" designation refers to United States Army, Europe, Seventh Army, indicating the unit's assignment to American forces in Europe during the Cold War era. • Cold War Role: During the height of the Cold War, Btry A, 2nd How Bn, 35th Arty was stationed in Germany, ready to provide fire support against potential Warsaw Pact threats. • Equipment: The battery operated powerful 155mm howitzers, including models such as the M114 and later the M109 self-propelled howitzer, enhancing mobility and firepower. • Reorganization: The 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 35th Artillery, was part of the Army’s shift from regimental to battalion and battery structures during the 1950s and 1960s reorganization. • Distinctive Insignia: The 35th Artillery’s insignia features a red shield with a gold band and a horse's head, symbolizing readiness and the unit's artillery heritage. • Training Exercises: The battery frequently participated in NATO exercises such as REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany), testing rapid deployment and interoperability with allied forces. • Veteran Stories: Veterans recall intense live-fire exercises and the camaraderie built during long deployments in the German countryside, where readiness for real-world conflict was a daily priority.