150th Field Artillery Regiment


The 150th Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery unit in the Indiana Army National Guard.

History

The 150th Field Artillery was formed from the 1st Indiana Field Artillery, which served during the Spanish–American War. The Indiana Field Artillery was at service on the Mexican border when the United States declared war on Germany in 1917. As the United States mobilized for World War I, the Indiana Field Artillery became federalized as the 150th Field Artillery, and assigned to the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division, which participated in several major battles in 1918. Major Robert Tyndall was promoted to Colonel in command of the entire regiment, which was issued French 155 millimeter cannons.
During World War II, the 150th Field Artillery served with the 38th Infantry Division.
During the Iraq War, the 150th Field Artillery sent teams to train Iraqi police. In 2006 HHB 2-150 FA sent 152 Artillerymen to Mosul, Iraq to train Iraqi Policemen. Their success brought distinction by Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In 2007 2 batteries of 2-150 FA and 3-139 FA served as convoy security companies in 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In 2009–10 officers and Soldiers of 2-150 formed the 2-150 Fires Team, serving on the staffs of 34th Infantry Division and 17th Fires Brigade, Ft. Lewis, WA in Multi-National Division – South and Basra Province respectively.
During Operation Enduring Freedom Soldiers of 2-150 served on Embedded Training Teams with the Afghan National Army for the 76IBCT throughout Afghanistan. In 2012–13, E TAB "Watchdogs," 139 Field Artillery, assigned to 2-150 FA conducted counter-fire and force protection missions throughout Regional Command Assistant Group – South in support of various Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and State Department missions.

Civil War

The 18th Indiana Battery of Light Artillery was organized at Indianapolis and mustered into service on 14 August 1862, with Captain Eli Lilly in command.
The 18th Indiana Battery, Light Artillery participated in the following Civil War Campaigns:
The company initially served at various posts at Cincinnati and throughout Kentucky. In June 1863, the 18th was assigned to the Wilder's Mounted Brigade. It participated in Rosecrans' East Tennessee Campaign in the succeeding months. During the battle of Hoover's Gap, Tennessee, the Confederate forces were well positioned, but Wilder's Brigade attacked and pushed the Confederate forces through the Gap. With effective fire, Lilly's Battery drove the Confederates from the field. The effective aim and deadly fire of the 18th Battery was also experienced by the charging rebel columns of General Longstreet's Corps during the battle of Chickamauga, on 19 September 1863.
Beginning in May 1864, Lilly's Battery marched with General Sherman's army on the campaign against Atlanta, during which it participated in numerous engagements, including Resaca, Cassville, Stilesboro, and Lost Mountain. Later, it was among the Union forces that pursued General Hood's troops after the Confederate defeat at Chattanooga.

Later 19th century

22 Nov. 1882, the First Regiment Light Artillery was organized from the original Indiana Legion, with Col. Eli Lilly as the Chief of Artillery.
In 1895 the name Indiana Legion was changed to the Indiana National Guard.
Units of the 1st Battalion of Indiana Light Artillery Battalion were redesignated the 27th and 28th Light Batteries, which served during the Spanish–American War.

The Mexican Expedition and the First World War

During the Mexican Border Campaign, the First Artillery Battalion of the Indiana National Guard served under Maj. Robert H. Tyndall's command.
While in training at Ft. Harrison, the First Indiana Field Artillery was designated as the 150th Field Artillery Regiment with assignments to the 42nd Rainbow Division, with 155 mm Howitzers, horse drawn. The 150th Regiment's engagements are represented by the six streamers on the regimental standard and the six stars on the regimental coat of arms. Col. Robert H. Tyndall was the World War I commander, 1917–1919.

Inter-war period

Post-WWI: The artillery in Indiana reorganized as the 1st Field Artillery Regiment in 1921. it was re-designated as the 181st Field Artillery. Because it was made up mostly of the 150th Field Artillery that had served during World War I, it was re-designated as the 150th Field Artillery in February 1922.
During peacetime, the annual training was mostly conducted at Camp Knox, KY and Camp McCoy, WI. Some units called on for various state services, such as railroad strikes, storm damages, mine strikes, etc. All units had become truck drawn by 1936.
The 150th Artillery served during the flood of 1937, as did all of the Indiana Guard. The Second Army maneuvers were held in Wisconsin, in 1940. In January 1941 the 150th was inducted.

World War II

In 1942, redesignated as the 150th Field Artillery Battalion, it served through the war with the 38th Infantry Division. Training started at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, the same camp where the division trained during World War I, and suffered the severe storm damage that gave them the name Cyclone Division.
1943 - continued training in Camp.
January 1944 - left New Orleans; arrived in Hawaii for jungle training.
July 1944 - went to New Guinea for amphibious training. The 150th Field Artillery was engaged at Bataan, Zigzag Pass, Corregidor, Manila Bay, Wah Wah Dam of the Pacific theatre campaign. This brought the division the title of the "Avengers of Bataan."

Late 20th century in Indiana

The artillery returned to the States in 1947. Reorganized as the 150th Field Artillery Battalion, medium, with 155 mm Howitzers, towed, headquarters at Kokomo. Indiana had three light battalions, 105 mm towed; the 139th FA BN with headquarters at Crawfordsville, the 163rd with headquarters at Evansville and the 524th with headquarters at Bloomington.
Reorganization in 1959 had the 150th Field Artillery Battalion redesignated as the 1st Battalion 150th Field Artillery. The 524th Field Artillery Battalion was inactivated and redesignated as the 2nd Battalion 150th Field Artillery, with headquarters in Bloomington.
March 1977 brought further realignment. The 1st Battalion 150th Field Artillery was reassigned into other units. Since 1977, the 2nd Battalion 150th Field Artillery is the only unit carrying the 150th regimental designation.
In 1987, Headquarters and service batteries are at Bloomington, with "A" Battery at Greencastle, "B" Battery at Spencer, "C" Battery at Noblesville with 155 mm towed, and "D" Battery at Lebanon with 8" towed.
The 2- 150th reorganized again in 1996, becoming an Echelon above Division unit. "D" Battery was inactivated leaving HHSB in Bloomington, "A" Battery in Danville/Greencastle, "B" Battery in Spencer/ Bloomington, and "C" Battery in
Lebanon/ Noblesville, all 155 mm towed Howitzer batteries.
Current Battery Locations:
HHB- Bloomington
A- Greencastle
B- Rockville
C- Lebanon
Two Units under Command and Control of 2-150 FA E 139th FA-
Indianapolis 139th FSC- Crawfordsville
Lineage:
1882: 110 years ago, on 22 Nov. 1882, the First Regiment Indiana Light Artillery was organized from the original Indiana Legion, with Col. Eli Lilly as the Chief of Artillery.
1895: In 1895 the name Indiana Legion was changed to the Indiana National Guard.
1898: Units of the 1st Battalion of Indiana Light Artillery Battalion were redesignated as the 27th and 28th Light Batteries, which served during the Spanish–American War.
1916: During the Mexican Border Campaign, the First Artillery Battalion of the Indiana National Guard served with Maj. Robert H. Tyndall commanding.
1917: While in training at Ft. Harrison, the First Indiana Field Artillery was designated as the 150th Field Artillery Regiment with assignment to the 42nd Rainbow Division, with 155 mm Howitzers, horse drawn. The 150th Regiment's engagements are represented by the six streamers on the regimental standard and the six stars on the regimental coat of arms. Col. Robert H. Tyndall was the World War I commander, 1917-19.
1921-1922: The artillery in Indiana was reorganized as the 1st Field Artillery Regiment, in 1921. In Jun.1921, it was redesignated as the 181st Field Artillery Because it was made up mostly of the 150th Field Artillery that had served during World War 1, it was redesignated as the 150th Field Artillery in Feb. 1922.
1936 – 1942: During peacetime, the annual training was mostly at Camp Knox, Ky. and Camp McCoy, Wisc. Some units were called on for various state services, such as railroad strikes, storm damages, mine strikes, etc. All units had become truck drawn by 1936. The 150th Artillery served during the flood of 1937. The Second Army maneuvers were held in Wisconsin, in 1940. In Jan. 1941 the 150th was inducted. In 1942, redesignated as the 150th Field Artillery Battalion, it served through the war with the 38th Infantry Division. Training started at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, the same camp where the division trained during World War I, and suffered the severe storm damage which gave them the name of Cyclone Division.
1943: Training continued in Camp Carrabelle, Florida and Camp Livingston, Louisiana.
1944 – 1947: Leaving New Orleans in Jan. 1944, they arrived in Hawaii for jungle training. In Jul. 1944 to New Guinea for amphibious training. The 150th Artillery was engaged at Bataan, Zigzag Pass, Corregidor, Manila Bay, Wah Wah Dam of the Pacific theatre campaign. This brought the division the title of the "Avengers of Bataan. The artillery returned to the states. Reorganized in 1947 as the 150th Field Artillery Battalion, medium, with 155 mm Howitzers, towed, headquarters at Kokomo. The three light battalions, 105 mm towed, were the 130th with headquarters at Crawfordsville, the 163rd with headquarters at Evansville and the 524th with headquarters at Bloomington.
1959: Reorganization in 1959 had the 150th Field Artillery Battalion redesignated as the 1st Battalion 150th Field Artillery The 524th Field Artillery Battalion was inactivated and redesignated as the 2nd Battalion 150th Field Artillery with headquarters at Bloomington.
1977: March of 1977 brought further realignment which saw the 1st Bn 150th Field Artillery being reassigned into other units. Since 1977, the 2nd Battalion 150th Field Artillery is the only unit carrying the 150th regimental designation.
1987: Headquarters and service batteries are at Bloomington, with "A" Battery at Greencastle, "B" Battery at Spencer, "C" Battery at Noblesville with 155 mm towed, and "D" Battery at Lebanon with 8 towed.
There have been many changes and improvements in equipment and training in the artillery. It has gone from solid wheels to pneumatic tires, from horses to trucks, from chain measure to lasers, from compass and protractor to computerized fire control and new powders, fuzes and even rations. A11 the changes would make volumes. The artilleryman's training and education must keep up with these changes. The "King of Battle," the artillery, as it is seen in the 150th Regiment, has much history and tradition. We trust you will have pride in being a part of the Long Red Line of the artillery.
150th Field Artillery Regiment Jack P. Money Col. F.A. Ret.
Tad Wilson Cpt. F.A. Ret.
Jack Shiflet M/Sgt. F.A. Ret.
Bernard K. Bucklew, Historian Maj. F.A. Ret.
Updated:
2000: HHSB Det1 Sarajevo, BiH
2003-2005: Operation Noble Eagle, CAJMTC and Newport Chemical Facility
2005-2006: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Raider Battery
2009-2010: OIF, 2-150 FEC
Let's not forget the various slices:
2004-2005 Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan Various individuals
from 2-150 in support of 76th Bde Embedded Training Teams.
2004-2005 OIF, Target Acquisition Battery
2008-2009 OIF, Two Batteries in support of 76th Bde
2009-2010 OEF, Various individuals in support of 1-219th AG Team
2002-2010 Many single soldiers in support of nearly every deployment from INARNG

Lineage & Honors

Lineage