The 101st Field Artillery ("Boston Light Artillery"[1]) regiment is the oldest active field artillery regiment in the United States Army, with a lineage dating to 13 December 1636 when it was organized as the South Regiment. It is one of several National Guard units with colonial roots and campaign credit for the War of 1812. For the first 250 years of the unit's existence, it was organized as an infantry unit.[2][3][4]

101st Field Artillery
101st Field Artillery Coat of arms
Active1636–present (387 years)
Country Massachusetts Bay Colony
(1636–1686, 1689-1692)
Dominion of New England
(1686-1689)
Province of Massachusetts Bay
(1692-1775)
United Colonies
(1775-1776)
 United States
(1776–present)
BranchMassachusetts Army National Guard
Garrison/HQBrockton, Massachusetts
Nickname(s)Boston Light Artillery (special designation)[1]
Motto(s)Vincere est Vivere (To Conquer is to Live)
EquipmentM777A2 155mm Howitzer (Charlie)

M119A3 105mm Howitzer (Alpha, Bravo)

Q36 / Q37 Target Acquisition Radar
EngagementsColonial Wars

Pequot War
King Philip's War
King William's War
Queen Anne's War
King George's War
French and Indian War
American Wars
American Revolutionary War

War of 1812
American Civil War

War with Spain

World War I

World War II

Korean War
Afghanistan Campaign

Iraq Campaign
DecorationsMeritorious Unit Commendation (OEF Afghanistan)

Superior Unit Award (IFOR Service)

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
Commanders
Notable
commanders
John Winthrop
Myles Standish (Plymouth Company Commander)
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
86th IBCT shoulder sleeve insignia, worn by 1-101st FA

History

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The 101st Field Artillery Regiment was first formed on 13 December 1636 as the South Regiment by the Massachusetts General Court. Its first commander was Colonel John Winthrop. Since its creation, the regiment has served in six colonial wars and nine American wars totalling 47 campaigns, through 2010.[5][3][4]

In addition to its own lineage, the 101st Field Artillery Regiment has been consolidated with the following units and holds their lineages and honors: the 180th Field Artillery Regiment; the 211th Field Artillery Regiment; the 241st Field Artillery Regiment; and the 272nd Field Artillery Battalion. Battery C, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery holds the lineage of the 102nd Field Artillery and the Second Corps of Cadets.[3][4]

Recent and current organization

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The regiment currently consists of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment based in Brockton, Massachusetts and an inactive Battery E, 101st Field Artillery, formerly based in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Both units are in the Massachusetts National Guard.[citation needed]

Battery A, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery is based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Battery B is based in Waterbury, Vermont and is part of the Vermont National Guard. Battery C, 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery, re-activated in 2016, is based in Danvers, Massachusetts.[citation needed]

As part of ongoing reorganizations, the 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery has been part of the 26th Infantry Division Artillery (1975–1993), the 42nd Infantry Division Artillery (1993–2003), the 29th Infantry Division Artillery (2003- 2006?) and the 26th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (2006? - 2009?). Since 2009(?), the battalion has been assigned to the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), and in 2016 the 86th IBCT was reorganized under the 10th Mountain Division as part of the Army's Associated Units Program.[6]

Battery E, 101st FA served as a target acquisition battery in the 26th Infantry Division Artillery, the 42nd Infantry Division Artillery, and the 197th Field Artillery Brigade. Battery E inactivated in (??) as part of force reductions.[citation needed]

Recent Overseas Actions

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  • In July 2021, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment deployed to the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan as part of the defense (C-RAM) and retrograde of all remaining U.S. forces from Afghanistan and was part of the international humanitarian effort to evacuate Afghani civilians from Kabul, remaining on ground until 11:58 pm on August 30st, 2021 (2021 Kabul airlift).[7]

Notable non-combat actions

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86th IBCT visit the town and police department of Shakadara, Afghanistan. Members of the 86th IBCT regularly provide mentoring and training to police departments in outlying areas of Kabul

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Special Designation Listing". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  2. ^ Kondratiuk (Col Ret), Leonid (May 2007). History of the 101st Field Artillery Regiment (Report).
  3. ^ a b c McKenney, Janice E. (2010). US Army Center of Military History (CMH) Publication 60-11, Army Lineage Series, Field Artillery, Part 2. Washington, DC: US Army Center of Military History. pp. 1019–1032.
  4. ^ a b c 101st Field Artillery Lineage & Honors Certificate at history.army.mil
  5. ^ Oldest Field Artillery Battalion Takes Charge at Camp Phoenix - DVIDS News
  6. ^ [1], Pilot program links Reserve components with active units for training.
  7. ^ "Massachusetts National Guard Unit Impacts Final Days of Afghanistan Mission". DVIDS. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ^ Seth Gitell. "HISTORY LESSON: The gangs of Boston". Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
  9. ^ "Celebrating Fourth of July around the South Shore". Patriot Ledger. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 24 January 2008.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "JUNE DAY PARADE AND DRUM HEAD ELECTION". Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. Archived from the original on 18 February 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  11. ^ WALTER BRENNAN PAPERS, 1895–1974, Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
  12. ^ World War I Draft Records, Essex County, Massachusetts; Roll: 1684678; Draft Board: 24.
  13. ^ Massachusetts Adjutant General (1920). Annual Report of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter. p. 189 – via Google Books.
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