HISTORY OF 116TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALIOn

 The 116th Field Artillery was originally organized at then moved to Camp Blanding, Florida, to begin intensive
Camp Wheeler, Georgia, during World War I as part of training as a part of the Army of the United States. The
the 31st Division. It arrived in France in October, 1918, 'unit retained its home station at Camp Blanding through-
saw no combat service, and was mustered from Federal out 1941 and participated as a regiment in the Army ma-
Service on January 16, 1919. neuvers both in Louisiana and in North Carolina. In Febru-
 Florida was granted authority by the War Department ary 1942 it moved with the Division to Camp Bowie, near
to provide a battalion of field artillery as part of the Na- Brownwood, Texas.
tional Guard after World War I and on December 5, 1921 With the reorganization of the 31st Division as a tri-
three firing batteries, "A", "B" and "C" formed the basis angular division on February 26, 1942 the regiment was
of the 1st Battalion 116th Field Artillery. Completion broken up into two separate battalions. The 1st Battalion
of the 1st Battalion was effected with the establishment of was redesignated as the 116th Field Artillery Battalion
Headquarters Battery and Combat Train on February under command of Lieutenant Colonel Frank C. Paul
15, 1922. All of the 1st Battalion was located in Tampa and remained as an organic part of the 31st Infantry Di-
with Major Sumter L. Lowry, Jr., in command, vision Artillery. Headquarters 116th Field Artillery was
 Expansion to a full regiment was begun by the found- disbanded and Colonel Homer W. Hesterly was assigned
ing of the Second Battalion. Firing Batteries "D", "E" and as Executive Officer of the Division Artillery. Headquarters
"F" were located at Lakeland, Plant City and Arcadia, Battery was redesignated Hq. and Serv. Co., 175th Engi-
with Headquarters Battery and Combat Train in Bartow. neers (Gen Serv) and moved to a new station. The band
On August 23, 1923 the 2nd Battalion was Federally recog- was redesignated Band, 31st Infantry Division Artillery.
nized as a unit. The regiment received official recognition The 2nd Battalion was redesignated as the 149th Field
on January 20, 1924. Service Battery with band section Artillery Battalion and remained as an organic part of
was placed at Winter Haven and later at Arcadia. Battery the division artillery. The 116th Field Artillery Battalion
"F" was transferred to Winter Haven. The Medical De- inherited the Shield, Crest, Motto and Colors of the regi-
tachment was organized in Tampa October 6, 1922. Regi- ment.
mental Headquarters Battery was placed in Ft. Myers Training as covered under the Section devoted to 31st
but in 1937 was moved to St. Petersburg. On the date of Infantry Division Artillery was continued throughout
Federal recognition, Major Lowry was promoted to Colonel 1942 and 1943, and February 1944 found the battalion at
and regimental commander. Camp Pickett, Virginia, fully qualified for overseas move-
 Effective July 16, 1933 the regiment was converted from ment.
horse-drawn artillery to truck-drawn artillery. The horses OVERSEAS MOVEMENT
were disposed of and trucks were issued in their: place. On February 23, the 116th Field Artillery Battalion
 On October 4, 1934 Colonel Sumter L. Lowry, Jr., was moved to Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia. Staging was co
promoted to Brigadier General and Commanding General, pleted and on March 1, 1944 the battalion embarked aboard
56th Field Artillery Brigade, of which the 116th Field T ACONCAGUA from Hampton Roads
Artillery was a part. Lieut. Colonel Homer W. Hesterly Port of Embarkation. The ship passed through the Panama
was advanced to Colonel in command of the regiment on Canal on March 8, docked at Balboa for repairs, and de-
October 23, 1934. .1 parted on March 13. It was necessary to return to Balboa for
 The year 1937 brought to the regiment superior rating, further repairs and the voyage was resumed March 14.
national recognition ,and the highest efficiency standing of On April 10, 1944 the battalion arrived at ORO BAY,
any National Guard Regiment in the United, States. Dur- BRITISH NEW GUINEA. Camp was established with the
ing 1938, Major General George Van Horn Moseley, then remainder of the division in the vicinity of DOBODURA,
commander of the Fourth Corps Area, twice publicly stated where acclimation and jungle training occupied the time
that the 116th Field Artillery was "the finest regiment in until preparations were begun for movement into a com-
the world." bat area.
 INDUCTION MAFFIN BAY
 On November 25, 1940 the regiment was inducted into The battalion departed from ORO BAY on August 8,
Federal Service and remained in training at each unit's 1944 aboard the Transport SS MAUI, and after stopping
home station until the latter part of December 1940. It in FINSCHAFEN several days for repairs, arrived at


 Trucks passing on Franklin Street leaving on its long
 anticipated trip to Camp Blanding. Inside one of the trucks enroute to Blanding

 r1 DSUPT 1.IU V T S



 r



 .A



 .; ,