Tony Melton

The 2nd Battalion, 83rd Artillery was a field artillery battalion of the United States Army, originally constituted during World War II. Reactivated for service during the Vietnam War, the battalion provided heavy fire support, primarily operating 175mm self-propelled guns. From 1966 to 1971, the 2-83rd Artillery was stationed at several key firebases throughout South Vietnam, supporting both U.S. and Allied ground operations. The unit earned commendations for its accuracy and rapid response in numerous major campaigns before its inactivation and return to the United States in 1971.

Fort Jackson, located in Columbia, South Carolina, was established in 1917 as a training camp during World War I and named after President Andrew Jackson. Over the decades, it has played a pivotal role in preparing U.S. Army soldiers, serving as the Army’s largest basic combat training center. During World War II, Fort Jackson expanded significantly to accommodate the training of hundreds of thousands of troops. Today, it continues to be a vital installation, graduating nearly 50 percent of all soldiers entering the Army each year.

B Company, 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry (Mechanized), known as B 1/152 IN (Mech), is a unit of the Indiana Army National Guard with a proud lineage dating back to the 19th century. The battalion traces its heritage to the Indiana Volunteer Infantry and has served in major conflicts including World War II, where elements fought in the Pacific Theater. During the Cold War, B 1/152 IN (Mech) was reorganized as a mechanized infantry company, providing armored mobility and firepower. In recent decades, the unit has deployed overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, demonstrating adaptability and professionalism in modern combat operations.