About this Unit
The Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment (often abbreviated as CSC, 2/48th Infantry), was an integral part of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division during the Cold War era. Stationed primarily in Germany, the company provided essential reconnaissance, heavy weapons, and mortar support to the battalion’s maneuver elements. Its soldiers trained extensively for rapid deployment and defense against potential Warsaw Pact aggression, participating in numerous field exercises and NATO maneuvers throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Following the end of the Cold War and subsequent military restructuring, the unit was deactivated along with much of the 3rd Armored Division in the early 1990s.
Historical Facts
•
Origins in Vietnam: The Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry (2/48th), was originally formed during the Vietnam War to provide specialized support to the battalion, including reconnaissance, heavy weapons, and mortar platoons.
•
Role in Cold War Europe: The 2/48th Infantry was stationed in Germany during the Cold War, serving as a key component of the U.S. Army’s forward-deployed forces guarding the Fulda Gap against potential Warsaw Pact advances.
•
Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 48th Infantry Regiment’s insignia features a blue shield with a silver bar, symbolizing the unit’s infantry heritage and its long-standing service dating back to World War I.
•
Combat Support Company Functions: Within the battalion, the Combat Support Company was responsible for anti-tank, mortar, reconnaissance, and heavy machine gun support, making it a force multiplier in both offensive and defensive operations.
•
Reorganization and Deactivation: In the early 1980s, many Combat Support Companies, including those in the 2/48th, were deactivated or restructured as part of U.S. Army reorganization efforts to streamline battalion operations.
•
Training Innovations: The Combat Support Company was often at the forefront of testing new weapons and tactics, including the introduction of the Dragon anti-tank missile and improved night-fighting equipment during the late 1970s.
•
Legacy at Fort Leonard Wood: The 2/48th Infantry Battalion is now known for its role in Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, carrying forward the traditions and esprit de corps of its historic combat support elements.
•
Unit Motto: The 48th Infantry Regiment’s motto, "Dragoons," harkens back to its cavalry origins and reflects the unit’s adaptability and fighting spirit through changing roles and technologies.
•
Notable Commanders: Throughout its history, the 2/48th’s Combat Support Company has been led by officers who later rose to senior ranks in the U.S. Army, contributing to doctrine and leadership development.
•
Reenactor and Veteran Community: The legacy of the Combat Support Company, 2/48th Infantry, is preserved today by dedicated veteran associations and reenactor groups who honor the unit’s unique contributions to Army history.
