U.S. Army

The 8th Finance was a U.S. Army unit responsible for military financial operations, including pay and accounting services for soldiers. Originally activated during World War II, the unit played a crucial role in supporting combat and support units by ensuring timely and accurate financial transactions. Over the decades, the 8th Finance provided financial support during major conflicts, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, often operating near the front lines. The unit's dedication to mission success helped maintain troop morale and operational readiness throughout its distinguished history.

The 91A10 Combat Medic, often referred to as the "lifesaver of the battlefield," is a critical enlisted role within the United States Army's medical corps. Historically, combat medics have served since World War II, providing immediate medical care and evacuation support to wounded soldiers under fire. The military occupational specialty (MOS) 91A10, now updated to 68W (Health Care Specialist), has evolved with advances in battlefield medicine, training medics in trauma care, emergency procedures, and lifesaving interventions. These medics have been indispensable in conflicts from Vietnam to the Global War on Terror, earning respect for their bravery and dedication to saving lives amidst combat.

The 91st Evacuation Hospital was a vital U.S. Army medical unit first activated during World War II. It provided critical frontline medical and surgical care to wounded soldiers across multiple European campaigns, including Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Reactivated for the Vietnam War, the 91st Evac Hospital operated in Chu Lai and Tuy Hoa, treating thousands of battlefield casualties with advanced medical techniques. Its service is remembered for saving countless lives and exemplifying dedication under fire.

The 93rd Combat Engineer Company has a distinguished history of service within the United States Army, specializing in mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability operations. Activated during World War II, the unit provided critical engineering support in several campaigns, constructing bridges, clearing obstacles, and ensuring the rapid movement of allied forces. Over the decades, the 93rd Combat Engineer Company has deployed to various global hotspots, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and has supported both combat and humanitarian missions. Its legacy is marked by adaptability, technical expertise, and a steadfast commitment to mission success in challenging environments.

The 94th Regional Readiness Command (94th RRC) traces its origins to the 94th Infantry Division, first activated in 1918 during World War I and later serving with distinction in Europe during World War II. In the decades following the war, the unit was reorganized several times, ultimately becoming the 94th RRC in 1995 as part of the U.S. Army Reserve’s transformation. The 94th RRC was headquartered at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and was responsible for administrative, training, and logistical support to Army Reserve units across the Northeastern United States. It played a key role in reserve readiness until it was inactivated in 2008, with its responsibilities transferred to the 99th Regional Support Command.

The 96th Military Police Battalion was first activated on 13 May 1945 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, during the closing months of World War II, providing military police support for operations in the European Theater. After deactivation, the battalion was reactivated several times, notably during the Vietnam War, where it conducted law enforcement and combat support missions from 1966 to 1972. In subsequent decades, the 96th MP Battalion participated in various operations, including peacekeeping and contingency missions in the Balkans, Southwest Asia, and Iraq. Today, the battalion continues to serve as a key element in the U.S. Army’s military police force, upholding security and discipline wherever deployed.

The 9th Engineer Battalion, originally constituted in 1917, has a distinguished history of service in the United States Army. During World War II, the battalion played a key role in constructing bridges and clearing obstacles during major European campaigns, including the Normandy invasion. In the Vietnam War, the 9th Engineers were instrumental in building and maintaining critical infrastructure under combat conditions. In recent decades, the battalion has deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its legacy of providing vital combat engineering support to U.S. and allied forces.

The Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM) was a major command of the United States Army established in 1957 to oversee the nation's ground-based air defense units during the Cold War. Its primary mission was to protect key cities, industrial centers, and military installations from potential Soviet bomber attacks using surface-to-air missile systems, such as the Nike missile series. At its peak, ARADCOM managed hundreds of missile batteries across the continental United States, integrating advanced radar and command systems to enhance response capabilities. As the threat of manned bomber attacks diminished and strategic priorities shifted, ARADCOM was gradually reduced in size and eventually inactivated in 1974.

The artillery branch has played a crucial role in military history, providing long-range firepower and supporting infantry and armored units on the battlefield. Its origins date back to ancient times, with early examples including catapults and ballistae, but it was during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance that gunpowder artillery revolutionized warfare. By the 19th and 20th centuries, artillery evolved into highly mobile and technologically advanced units, employing a range of weapons from howitzers to rocket systems. Modern artillery continues to be a decisive factor in conflicts, capable of delivering precise and devastating fire support across vast distances.

Basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, played a significant role in preparing U.S. Army soldiers from its establishment in 1917 through its closure in 1999. The installation became particularly notable during World War II, when it rapidly expanded to train large numbers of recruits. Over the decades, Fort McClellan housed several specialized schools, including the Chemical Corps, Military Police Corps, and Women’s Army Corps training centers. Its rigorous basic training programs emphasized discipline, physical fitness, and the fundamentals of soldiering, shaping countless Army careers before the post’s deactivation.

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), located in Monterey, California, traces its origins to the Military Intelligence Service Language School established in 1941 at the Presidio of San Francisco to train Nisei soldiers in Japanese. In 1946, the school moved to the Presidio of Monterey, where it expanded its curriculum to include a wide range of critical languages for U.S. military and government personnel. Over the decades, DLIFLC has become the Department of Defense’s premier language training institution, providing intensive instruction in more than a dozen languages to service members from all branches. The institute plays a vital role in enhancing linguistic capabilities and cultural understanding, supporting U.S. military operations and intelligence efforts worldwide.

The First Cavalry, formally known as the 1st Cavalry Division, was activated in 1921 and quickly became one of the United States Army’s most storied units. Originally organized as a traditional horse cavalry division, it transitioned to a more modern, mechanized force during World War II, serving with distinction in the Pacific Theater. The division played a key role in the liberation of the Philippines and later participated in the occupation of Japan. In subsequent decades, the First Cavalry fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, pioneering airmobile tactics, and it continues to serve as a versatile armored and air cavalry force into the 21st century.

Headquarters Camp Courtney, located in Uruma City, Okinawa, Japan, serves as the headquarters for the 3rd Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. Established in the 1950s during the post-Korean War era, Camp Courtney became a vital command hub for U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the decades, the base has supported numerous military operations and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief efforts across the Indo-Pacific. Today, it remains a cornerstone of U.S.-Japan security cooperation and regional stability in East Asia.

Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4th Division Artillery (HHB, 4th DIVARTY) was first constituted on 19 November 1917 in the National Army and organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina, as part of the 4th Division. The unit participated in major campaigns during World War I, including Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne. Reactivated for World War II, HHB, 4th DIVARTY supported operations in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. Throughout its history, the unit has provided command and control for artillery units, playing a critical role in shaping the division’s fire support capabilities.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th Infantry Division (HHC, 8th ID), was first activated during World War I in 1918. The division saw extensive combat during World War II, participating in campaigns across France and Germany after landing at Utah Beach in July 1944. Reactivated during the Cold War, the 8th Infantry Division was stationed in West Germany, serving as a key component of NATO's defense against the Warsaw Pact. HHC 8th ID provided command and control for the division until its inactivation in 1992 following the end of the Cold War.

The HQ 51st Maintenance Battalion was originally constituted during World War II to provide essential maintenance and logistical support to combat units in the European Theater. Throughout its history, the battalion has been responsible for the repair and upkeep of a wide range of military vehicles, equipment, and weaponry, ensuring operational readiness for frontline forces. During the Korean War, the 51st Maintenance Battalion played a crucial role in sustaining UN forces by maintaining vital supply lines and repairing damaged equipment under challenging conditions. In subsequent decades, the battalion continued its legacy of excellence, supporting various U.S. Army operations and deployments worldwide.

The Headquarters, 5th Signal Command was first activated in 1974 in Germany to provide theater-level communications support for U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) during the Cold War. The unit played a vital role in maintaining secure and reliable communications across Europe, supporting both peacetime operations and contingency missions, including NATO exercises and the implementation of advanced communications technologies. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, HQ 5th Signal Command adapted to evolving operational requirements, notably supporting U.S. forces during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and later during peacekeeping missions in the Balkans. The command continued to modernize and integrate digital communication systems until its inactivation in 2017, marking over four decades of dedicated service to U.S. and allied operations in Europe.

HQ Battery, short for Headquarters Battery, is a crucial element within artillery and air defense units in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Historically, HQ Batteries have provided command, control, and administrative support to their parent battalions or regiments, dating back to World War I when artillery organizations formalized their structures. Throughout major conflicts, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, HQ Batteries coordinated fire missions, communications, logistics, and intelligence, ensuring the effectiveness of combat operations. Today, HQ Batteries continue to serve as the nerve center of artillery units, integrating modern technology to support tactical and strategic missions worldwide.

The Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) was established in 1961 to provide rapidly deployable, en route, and early entry communications support to U.S. joint and combined forces worldwide. Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, JCSE operates under the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC), a subordinate command of U.S. Transportation Command. The unit has played critical roles in numerous operations, including disaster relief, humanitarian missions, and major military campaigns such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Renowned for its ability to deploy within hours, JCSE ensures that commanders have reliable, secure, and interoperable communications anywhere in the world.

Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) Team 27 was a U.S. Army advisory team assigned to assist the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces in Bình Dương Province during the Vietnam War. Activated in the early 1960s, the team played a crucial role in advising and supporting South Vietnamese military operations against Viet Cong insurgents and North Vietnamese regulars. MACV Team 27 provided guidance in areas such as operations planning, logistics, intelligence, and training, often participating in joint patrols and combat missions. The team's efforts contributed to improving the effectiveness of local ARVN units, although the region remained a hotspot for conflict throughout the war.

MEDDAC Fort Riley, Kansas, formally known as the United States Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Riley, traces its origins to the 19th century, supporting soldiers stationed at this historic post since its establishment. The unit has provided comprehensive medical care to service members, their families, and retirees, adapting its mission through conflicts from the Indian Wars to present-day deployments. Over the decades, MEDDAC has operated Irwin Army Community Hospital, named in honor of Brigadier General Bernard John Dowling Irwin, a pioneer in Army medicine. Today, MEDDAC Fort Riley continues to play a vital role in maintaining the health and readiness of the 1st Infantry Division and the greater Fort Riley community.

Naval Communication Station Imperial Beach, California, was established in 1941 as a vital U.S. Navy facility for radio and communications operations on the West Coast. During World War II and the Cold War, the station played a crucial role in relaying messages between naval units in the Pacific and command authorities in the United States. Its prominent antenna arrays and transmission capabilities made it one of the Navy's most important shore-based communication hubs. The facility was later redesignated as Naval Radio Receiving Facility, and today, it serves as Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach, supporting helicopter operations for Naval Base Coronado.

**Pearl Harbor Medical Clinic** has played a critical role in supporting the health and readiness of U.S. Navy personnel stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Established to provide comprehensive medical care, the clinic traces its roots to the aftermath of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, when medical facilities were vital in treating thousands of casualties. Over the decades, the clinic has evolved to offer primary care, dental services, and specialty support to active duty members, retirees, and their families. Today, it stands as a key component of Navy Medicine, continually adapting to meet the demands of military operations and community health on Oahu.

Company 055 of the San Diego Recruit Training Command is one of the many units responsible for shaping enlisted sailors in the United States Navy. Established as part of the Recruit Training Command in San Diego, California, Company 055 played a crucial role in basic training throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. Sailors assigned to this company underwent rigorous instruction in naval customs, physical fitness, seamanship, and discipline. Although the San Diego Recruit Training Command closed in 1997, alumni of Company 055 are remembered for their commitment and contributions to the Navy’s proud tradition.