About this Unit
The 2nd Battalion, 34th Artillery Regiment, was first constituted in the Regular Army in 1918 and has a distinguished history of service. During the Vietnam War, the battalion provided critical field artillery support to U.S. and allied forces, earning numerous campaign streamers and commendations for its actions. Over the decades, the unit has been reactivated and inactivated several times, adapting to changing Army structures and missions. Today, the 2nd Battalion, 34th Artillery continues to embody its motto, "On Time," providing fire support and artillery expertise within the U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: The 2nd Battalion, 34th Artillery Regiment traces its lineage back to its original constitution on 5 July 1918 in the National Army as Battery B, 34th Field Artillery. It was organized during World War I, though it did not see overseas service during that conflict.
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Reactivation for WWII: The unit was reactivated for World War II and participated in several key campaigns, including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.
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Conversion to Self-Propelled Artillery: During the Cold War, the battalion was equipped with self-propelled howitzers, reflecting the U.S. Army’s modernization and mechanization of artillery units.
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Vietnam War Service: The 2nd Battalion, 34th Artillery was deployed to Vietnam where it provided direct support to infantry and armored units, participating in numerous major operations and earning several unit commendations for its performance.
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Nickname "The Dirty Deuce": In Vietnam, the battalion earned the nickname "The Dirty Deuce" for its relentless and gritty support under fire, often operating under harsh and dangerous conditions.
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Support of the 25th Infantry Division: The unit was attached to the 25th Infantry Division ("Tropic Lightning") during its time in Vietnam, providing critical artillery fire support in the III Corps Tactical Zone.
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Distinguished Service: The battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation and multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations for its valor and effectiveness during combat operations in Vietnam.
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Post-Vietnam Era: After Vietnam, the 2nd Battalion, 34th Artillery was inactivated and reactivated several times as the Army reorganized its artillery forces, reflecting the changing needs of the U.S. military.
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Modern Training Mission: In recent years, the battalion has served as a training unit at Fort Riley, Kansas, preparing new generations of artillerymen for deployment and combat operations.
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Heraldry and Motto: The unit’s distinctive insignia features a red shield and a gold lion, symbolizing courage and valor. Its motto, "All for One," exemplifies its legacy of teamwork and dedication to mission success.
