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HISTORY What would eventually become the 1-119th Field Artillery Battalion began with numerous other militia units, most notably with "Rogers Rangers", the famed frontier unit of the French And Indian War s of 1754. The Rangers, after the end of the war, left nearly 30 of their soldiers in Fort Detroit , to serve as the nucleus of the militia there. The men, proud of their heritage gained while serving under Major Robert Rogers , retained much of that unit's lore, legacy, and structure, including his famous standing orders. Eventually, that unit became a full-sized infantry militia. Prior to the American Civil War , this unit was blended with cavalry and artillery units, and served as part of the famed "Iron Brigade", taking part in every major battle east of the Mississippi River , save Vicksburg , during the war. Following the war, they served in the American west and along the Mexican Border , firing in support of the famed 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers, an all-black cavalry unit) and hunting for Pancho Villa under the command of Gen. Pershing. During the Spanish-American War , the unit served in Cuba , firing on the San Juan Heights during the famed charge of the 10th Cavalry and another famous National Guard unit, later- President Theodore Roosevelt 's " Rough Riders ". In World War I , as part of the famous Red Arrow Division, the unit fought in numeorus campaigns and battles in France , culminating in their distinguished service at the Second Battle Of The Marne , when they and a handful of other American units routed the German counter-offensive, and brought an end to the war. The 1-119th was awarded the French Croix De Guerre for their bravery and steadfast gallantry in action. In World War II , the 1-119th again returned to the European Theater, where they distinguished themselves once more and won the record as having fired more rounds in combat than any other Allied artillery unit in either the European or Pacific Theaters. Also the 1-119th saw action in both World Wars in hand-to-hand combat, winning them a distinguished honor of being called, "The finest infantry unit in the artillery"! The 1-119th had been described once by General John "Black Jack" Pershing as being "The legion of hell itself...disheviled and uncut, a rowdy and miscreant lot, who fight like demonic lions and drink like gods, but in all, no better men than to have with you in combat!" The reputation for unorthodox behavior, technical expertise, and astounding courage is echoed in the annals of military history, a proud heritage for the unit, who in 1996, took the name "Red Lions" from Pershing's comments and the lion on their crest which was taken from Ponce de Leon's ranch while serving on the Mexican border. In the Korean War , the 1-119th fired in support of the United States Marine Corps at the Chosun Resovoir, and in several engagements thereafter. For that, the unit is considered the "Marine's best friend in the army". After the Korean War, they became homebound, but not silent. Only one team of Forwards Observers went to Vietnam , where they served with a Long Range Recon Patrol there in the Mekong River area. In the United States, they helped to respond to numerous natural disasters including the blizzards of 1968 and 1979, and also to many civil emergencies such as riots and disturbances. In 2001, following the September 11 Attacks by Al-Qaeda on the United States, the unit sent almost 100 troops to immediate service at the U.S.-Canadian border on the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit and Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron . Those units set new records for seizures of contraband and arrests of wanted criminals and terror suspects. In six months on the Ambassador Bridge, they seized in excess of 20 million dollars (US) in illegal Narcotic s and contraband, stopped a child Slavery ring, arrested 46 fugitives, including three wanted by Interpol , and more. Soldiers also worked in numerous Airport s, facilities, and elsewhere during the crisis, ensuring the people of Michigan could sleep soundly at night. In 2003, the unit dispatched over 150 soldiers to Guantanamo Bay , Cuba, to serve as guards and security forces for the detainment facilities recently opened there. Again, in 2004, another 150 soldiers deployed for service at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq , where they set a series of distinguishing records:
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