The 1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery was a US Army artillerybattalion formed in 1966 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The battalion departed for Vietnam in October 1966 and remained there until 1971 when the unit was stood down. In Vietnam, the 83rd was originally at Bear Cat, Nui Dat and Xuân Lộc but later moved to many other locations in Vietnam. Visit the 1/83rd Website at http://www.1stbn83rdartyvietnam.com/
Lineage
Constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army as the 25th Cavalry. Organized 5 June 1917 at Fort D.A. Russell. Converted and redesignated 1 November 1917 as the 83rd Field Artillery. Assigned 17 December 1917 to the 8th Infantry Division.
Relieved 5 September 1919 from assignment to the 8th Division.
Inactivated 7 January 1922 at Camp Benning, Georgia.
Inactivated 1 June 1958 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1959 as the 83rd Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. Redesignated 1 September 1971 as the 83rd Field Artillery.
Distinctive unit insignia
Description
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 5/32 inches in height overall consisting of the shield and motto of the coat of arms.
Symbolism
The shield is yellow for Cavalry and red for Artillery. The blue chevronel denotes the Regiment's short period of service overseas during World War I. The Cheyenne warbonnet refers to the birthplace of the organization in Wyoming. The bear, from the crest of the state of California, commemorates service in the 8th Division at Camp Fremont, California. The canton represents the Regiment's formation by transfer of men from the 1st Cavalry in 1917.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 83d Field Artillery Regiment on 15 November 1923. It was redesignated for the 83d Field Artillery Battalion on 5 October 1942. It was redesignated for the 83d Armored Field Artillery Battalion on 13 May 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 83d Field Artillery Battalion on 30 June 1950. It was again redesignated for the 83d Artillery Regiment on 21 November 1958. Effective 1 September 1971, the insignia was redesignated for the 83d Field Artillery Regiment. It was amended to reflect the change in symbolism on 10 January 1973. The insignia was amended to correct the symbolism on 12 October 1984.
Coat of arms
Blazon
Shield
Party per chevron Or and Gules, a chevronel Azure between in sinister chief a Cheyenne warbonnet and in base a grizzly bear passant both Proper. On a canton Tenné a dragon passant of the first.
Crest
On a wreath of the colors, Or and Gules, a bison statant Argent. Motto FLAGRANTE BELLO.
Symbolism
Shield
The shield is yellow for Cavalry and red for Artillery. The blue chevronel denotes the Regiment's short period of service overseas during World War I. The Cheyenne warbonnet refers to the birthplace of the organization in Wyoming. The bear, from the crest of the state of California, commemorates service in the 8th Division at Camp Fremont, California. The canton represents the Regiment's formation by transfer of men from the 1st Cavalry in 1917.
Crest
The crest also symbolizes the birthplace of the organization.
Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 83d Field Artillery Regiment on 18 March 1920. It was redesignated for the 83d Field Artillery Battalion on 5 October 1942. It was redesignated for the 83d Armored Field Artillery Battalion on 13 May 1943. The insignia was redesignated for the 83d Field Artillery Battalion on 30 June 1950. It was again redesignated for the 83d Artillery Regiment on 21 November 1958. Effective 1 September 1971, the insignia was redesignated for the 83d Field Artillery Regiment. It was amended to reflect the change in symbolism on 10 January 1973. The coat of arms was amended to correct the symbolism on 12 October 1984.
