119th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)

The 119th Field Artillery Regiment is an artillery regiment of the Michigan Army National Guard and thus of the United States Army.

Origins
What would eventually become the 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Regiment began with numerous other militia units, most notably with "Rogers' Rangers", the famed frontier unit of the French and Indian Wars of 1754. The Rangers, after the end of the war, left nearly 30 of their soldiers in Fort Detroit, to serve as the nucleus of the militia there. The men, proud of their heritage gained while serving under Major Robert Rogers, retained much of that unit's lore, legacy, and structure, including his famous standing orders.

Eventually, that unit became a full-sized infantry militia. Prior to the American Civil War, this unit was blended with cavalry and artillery units, and served as part of the famed "Iron Brigade", taking part in every major battle east of the Mississippi River, save Vicksburg, during the war. Following the war, they served in the American west and along the Mexican Border, firing in support of the famed 10th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers, an all-black cavalry unit) and hunting for Pancho Villa under the command of General John J. Pershing.

During the Spanish-American War, the unit served in Cuba, firing on the San Juan Heights during the famed charge of the 10th Cavalry and another famous unit, later-President Theodore Roosevelt's "Rough Riders".

World wars
In World War I, as part of the famous 32nd Infantry Division ("Red Arrow"), the unit fought in numerous campaigns and battles in France, culminating in their distinguished service at the Second Battle of the Marne, when they and a handful of other American units routed the German counter-offensive, and brought an end to the war. The battalion was awarded the French Croix de guerre for bravery and steadfast gallantry in action.

The 119th had been described once by General John "Black Jack" Pershing as being "The legion of hell itself...disheveled and uncut, a rowdy and miscreant lot, who fight like demonic lions and drink like gods, but in all, no better men than to have with you in combat!" The reputation for unorthodox behavior, technical expertise, and astounding courage is echoed in the annals of military history, a proud heritage for the unit, who in 1996, took the name "Red Lions" from Pershing's comments and the lion on their crest which was taken from Ponce de Leon's ranch while serving on the Mexican border.

Prior to the United States' entry into World War II, the 119th Field Artillery Regiment (155mm Gun)(Motorized) was inducted into federal service on 7 April 1941 in Lansing, Michigan, and arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky, ten days later. It transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on 2 June 1941 and was assigned to the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, XI Corps. On 8 February 1943 it was redesignated as HHB, 119th Field Artillery Group. The regiment's former 1st and 2nd Battalions were redesignated as the 978th and 979th Field Artillery Battalions (155mm Trac-D), respectively.

The 119th moved to Camp Young, California on 23 August 1943 and staged at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts, on 5 February 1944 until it departed the Boston Port of Embarkation on 27 February 1944. It arrived in England on 8 March 1944 and landed in France on 26 June 1944. The 119th crossed into Belgium on 8 September 1944 and into Holland on 13 September 1944, then entered Germany on 14 October 1944. By August 1945 the 119th was in Ostenburg, Germany. It returned to the United States, arriving at the Hampton Road (Virginia) Port of Embarkation on 16 November 1945 and was inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, on 16 November 1945. The 119th's campaign credits include Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. During its tour in Europe the 119th reportedly distinguished itself for having fired more rounds in combat than any other Allied artillery unit in either the European or Pacific Theaters. Also the 119th saw action in both World Wars in hand-to-hand combat, winning them a distinguished honor of being called "The finest infantry unit in the artillery"!

"Korean War Order of Battle: United States, United Nations, and Communist Ground, Naval, and Air Forces, 1950–1953" by Gordon Rottman does not list the 978th or the 979th FA Battalions as having served in Korea, nor does it list the 119th FA as a regiment or group.

Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, one team of forward observers went to Vietnam, serving with a Long Range Recon Patrol in the Mekong River area. In the United States, the 119th helped to respond to numerous natural disasters including the blizzards of 1968 and 1979, and also to many civil emergencies such as riots and disturbances.

21st century
In 2001, following the 11 September attacks by Al-Qaeda on the United States, the unit sent almost 100 troops to immediate service at the U.S.-Canadian border on the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit and Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Those units set new records for seizures of contraband and arrests of wanted criminals and terror suspects. In six months on the Ambassador Bridge, they seized in excess of 20 million dollars (US) in illegal narcotics and contraband, stopped a child slavery ring, arrested 46 fugitives, including three wanted by Interpol, and more. Soldiers also worked in numerous airports, facilities, and elsewhere during the crisis, ensuring the people of Michigan could sleep soundly at night.

In 2003, the unit dispatched over 150 soldiers to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, to serve as guards and security forces for the detainment facilities recently opened there. Again, in 2004, another 150 soldiers deployed for service at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, where they set a series of distinguishing records:


 * They repelled the largest attack on a U.S. military base or installation since the Vietnam War, together with the U.S. Marine Corps and other military personnel stationed at the base, on the night of 2005-04-02 and the following morning in the Battle of Abu Ghraib.


 * Also 119th sent 40 plus soldiers in support once again of Operation Iraqi Freedom attached to the 182nd Field Artillery's Alpha battery for a 15 month deployment which encompasses travelling over 500,000 miles as a unit protecting convoys and route security.


 * They processed and provided security, custody, and control for over 20,000 detainees in one year, a record never before matched by any Allied facility of its type.

Only the 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery is active today. Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, it consists of three batteries and a support company: Battery A in Port Huron, Battery B in Alma, Battery C in Albion, and an FSC Company in Augusta. The 119th FA is accompanied by the 1st Battalion, 182nd Field Artillery (HIMARS) the only two field artillery units in Michigan. Both are members of the 197th Fires Brigade (New Hampshire).

In May 2010 the battalion fielded the advanced M777 howitzer (155 mm) and Command Post of the Future (CPOF) system. In late 2010 the battalion deployed as part of the 197th Fires Brigade in support of Operation New Dawn.