D Battery 319th Artillery

• Origins in World War I: The 319th Field Artillery Regiment, to which D Battery belongs, was first constituted in 1917 as part of the 82nd Division during the rapid mobilization for World War I. • Airborne Transition: The unit became one of the earliest artillery units to be designated as "Glider Field Artillery" during World War II, supporting the 82nd Airborne Division. • Normandy Invasion: Elements of the 319th, including D Battery, landed in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, in Operation Neptune, providing crucial fire support for paratroopers. • Market Garden Heroics: The battery saw action in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands, executing daring glider landings under heavy enemy fire to deliver artillery support. • Bastogne Defense: During the Battle of the Bulge, D Battery 319th played a pivotal role in the defense of Bastogne, braving winter conditions and encirclement. • Vietnam Service: The 319th served in Vietnam, with D Battery providing direct artillery support to airborne infantry units in challenging jungle terrain. • Modern Deployments: In the Global War on Terror, D Battery has been deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq, adapting its fire support role to counter-insurgency operations. • Valor Awards: Members of D Battery 319th have received numerous individual and unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations, for their gallantry in action. • Unit Motto: The 319th’s motto is "Loyalty," reflecting the steadfast commitment of its batteries, including D Battery, through more than a century of service. • Regimental Heritage: The 319th and its batteries celebrate their history with annual events, commemorating milestones such as the Normandy landings and honoring past and present soldiers.