25th Infantry Division Artillery (United States)


History

25th DIVARTY activated 1 October 1941 on Schofield Barrack, HI. 25th DIVARTY initially consisted of 3 direct support battalions from the 8th Field Artillery Regiment, the 90th General Support Battalion. The 25th DIVARTY first entered combat two months after activation on 7 December 1941, when the Imperial Forces of Japan conducted a surprise attack on US military installations on Oahu, HI. 25th DIVARTY continued on active status during World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Global War on Terror before deactivation in 2005. It reactivated 1 October 2014 on Schofield Barracks, HI.

World War II

After the United States declared war, the 25th DIVARTY spent the next year training and preparing for their support of 25th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater of war. First arriving to Guadalcanal in late 1942, 25th DIVARTY supported combat operation beginning in January 1943, participating in the seizure of Kokumbona and the reduction of the Mount Austen Pocket in some of the bitterest fighting of the Pacific campaign.
25th DIVARTY conducted sustained combat operations in the Philippines for over 160 days during the Luzon Campaign. Most notably, 25th DIVARTY planned and executed fires support that aided in 25th Infantry Division's ability to take Highway 5 and Battle of Balete Pass, which was defended by the 2nd Tank Division. Throughout the 160 days of sustained combat in the Philippines, the 90th FA BN fired over 42,000 rounds in support of the 25th Infantry Division.
After the end of hostilities between the Empire of Japan and the United States, 25th DIVARTY joined the remainder of the division on Japan during the post-war occupation. Elements of 25th DIVARTY first arrived in Japan in May 1946.

Korean War

During the Korean War, the 25th Infantry Division was ordered to defend the final US/South Korean stronghold of Pusan against North Korean attack. In July 1950, the 25th DIVARTY landed in South Korea with the 8th, 64th, 90th, and the 159th Field Artillery Battalions. 25th DIVARTY fires supported the first offensive actions by the division with the capture of the Yechon Road Junction on July 20, 1950. 25th DIVARTY participated in all ten of 25th Infantry Division's campaigns.

Vietnam War

25th DIVARTY entered the Vietnam War in support of 25th Infantry Division, 1st Marine Division, and Republic of Vietnam forces to provide fire support to these units, additionally 25th DIVARTY was instrumental in combatting communist forces in the Southeast Asia region.

Global War on Terror

25th DIVARTY deployed to Afghanistan in June 2004 for a 12-month tour of duty. While there, it was given the mission of operating as a maneuver brigade task force known as Combined Task Force Thunder. 25th DIVARTY was designated Regional Command East, which comprised 16 provinces in eastern Afghanistan along the Pakistan border. TF Thunder also prevented insurgent attempts to disrupt the Afghan presidential elections in October 2004.

Today

On 1 October 2014 Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 25th DIVARTY reactivated at Schofield Barracks, HI under the command of COL Christopher Cardoni. The mission of HHB is to provide a focal point for ensuring that the 25th Infantry Division field artillery battalions receive uniformed training and readiness direction in artillery core competencies. 3-7 FA BN and 2-11 FA BN are currently attached to 25th DIVARTY.
Col. Christopher J. Cardoni relinquished command to Col. Matthew N. Stader, the current commander.

Lineage & honors

Lineage