Steve Thornton

The 25th Signal Battalion was originally constituted on 3 February 1944 in the Army of the United States and activated on 14 February 1944 at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. The battalion provided vital communications support during World War II, participating in campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. After inactivation in 1946, the unit was reactivated and has since supported various military operations, providing tactical communications for command and control. Over the decades, the 25th Signal Battalion has adapted to evolving technology, playing a key role in ensuring secure and reliable communications for U.S. Army operations worldwide.

The 72nd Signal Battalion was originally constituted on 3 June 1941 in the Regular Army as the 72nd Signal Company and activated at Fort Benning, Georgia. During World War II, the unit served in the European Theater, providing critical communications support throughout several major campaigns, including Normandy and Central Europe. After several periods of inactivation and reactivation, the battalion was stationed in Germany during the Cold War, supporting U.S. Army Europe operations as a vital part of communications infrastructure. The 72nd Signal Battalion was inactivated in 2007, having earned a distinguished legacy of service marked by adaptability and technical expertise in support of U.S. and allied forces.

The 16th Signal Battalion, assigned to the 2nd Armored Division (Forward), played a crucial role in maintaining communications for U.S. Army forces stationed in Europe during the Cold War. Activated in support of NATO operations, the unit was based primarily in Garlstedt, West Germany, from the late 1970s until the early 1990s. The battalion provided tactical and strategic communications, ensuring command and control for the division’s forward-deployed elements. Following the end of the Cold War and the subsequent U.S. military restructuring in Europe, the 16th Signal Battalion (2nd Armored Division Forward) was inactivated in 1992.

The 122nd Signal Battalion was constituted on 3 June 1941 in the Regular Army and activated at Fort Benning, Georgia. Originally assigned to provide communications support for the 2nd Infantry Division, the battalion served with distinction throughout World War II, participating in campaigns across Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. After the war, the unit continued to support the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War, earning additional campaign honors for its vital communications role. In later years, the battalion was stationed in Korea, ensuring reliable communications until its inactivation in 2005 as part of Army modular transformation efforts.

The 1st Battalion, 65th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-65th ADA) traces its lineage to the 65th Coast Artillery, constituted in 1918. During World War II, elements of the regiment served in the Pacific Theater, providing vital anti-aircraft defense for Allied forces. Reactivated and reorganized over the decades, the 1-65th ADA has been equipped with modern air defense systems, including the Patriot missile. Today, the battalion continues to serve as a key component of U.S. Army air defense, ready to deploy worldwide in support of national security objectives.

The 5th Signal Battalion, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, has a distinguished history of providing vital communications support to U.S. Army operations. Activated during World War II, the battalion was instrumental in establishing and maintaining signal networks across European and Pacific theaters. Over the decades, the 5th Signal Battalion has supported numerous training exercises and deployments, ensuring seamless command and control for supported units. Today, the battalion continues its mission at Fort Polk, leveraging advanced technology to provide reliable communications for the Joint Readiness Training Center and other Army organizations.

The 16th Signal Battalion was originally constituted on 30 October 1940 in the Regular Army as the 16th Signal Service Battalion and activated at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. During World War II, the battalion provided critical communications support in the European Theater, participating in campaigns such as Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. After the war, the unit underwent several activations and inactivations, adapting to the evolving needs of Army communications. Throughout its history, the 16th Signal Battalion has played a vital role in enabling command and control through reliable communications for U.S. Army operations.

The 50th Signal Battalion, assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps, traces its origins back to World War II, when it was constituted in 1940 and activated in 1941 to provide critical communications support. Throughout its history, the unit has played a vital role in enabling command and control for airborne and rapid deployment operations, participating in major conflicts including World War II, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Stationed at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina, the battalion is renowned for its technical expertise and ability to deploy worldwide on short notice. Today, the 50th Signal Battalion continues to ensure secure and reliable communications for the XVIII Airborne Corps and its subordinate units, exemplifying its motto: "The Voice of the Corps."

The Signal Corps is a specialized branch within many national militaries, responsible for managing military communications and information systems. Established during the American Civil War in 1860, the U.S. Army Signal Corps pioneered the use of visual signaling, telegraphy, and later, radio communications on the battlefield. Over time, the corps expanded its mission to include the development and maintenance of advanced communications technology, ensuring secure and reliable transmission of information. Today, the Signal Corps plays a vital role in modern military operations, supporting command and control through cutting-edge cyber and satellite communications.