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WORLD WAR I It's beginnings can be traced back to America’s entry into the First World War . As part of the nation’s Mobilization , the unit was first formed and organized in August 1917 as Battery A, 320th Field Artillery. As part of the 82nd Infantry Division, the original Top Guns played a key role at Lorraine , St Mihiel , and the Meuse Argonne region in France. Following the Armistice , the 320th demobilized, only to be reconstituted in June of 1921 as part of the United States Organized Reserves . WORLD WAR II Once the United States entered the Second World War , the unit was eventually reorganized and redesignated as the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion. As part of the 82nd Airborne Division, the 320th fought in a number of hot spots. First, the 320th was part of the campaign in Sicily , acting in Reserve . The unit first saw action at the Volturino River on the Italian mainland. The crucial Normandy invasion was the next stop for the 320th. Under difficult conditions, the unit helped make the invasion a success. As a result of the 320th’s actions during Operation Overlord , the unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation . The 320th next fought in Operation Market Garden and then went on to further distinguish itself in the Ardennes when the German’s attempted their last ditch offensive. The 320th then fought and played a role in the final push through the Rhineland to defeat the Nazi government. Upon the war’s end, the unit completed its duties in Europe as part of the post war occupation in Berlin. POST-WWII After the war, the 320th went through a number of transitions. In 1957 , the 320th became a part of the 11th Airborne Division , only to be deactivated a year later. In 1962, the unit was again reactivated and reorganized as 1-320th Artillery, once again being a part of the 82nd Airborne Division. The unit remained a part of the 82nd until 1986, during which time 1-320th participated in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada . THE GULF WARS Top Guns next saw action in the Middle East from 1990 until 1991 . As a part of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the Battalion played a key role in both defending Saudi Arabia and liberating Kuwait . The 1/320th Field Artillery Battalion (Top Guns) is part of the 101st Airborne Division . They are based out of Fort Campbell and are currently deployed to Iraq . CURRENT ORGANISATION Commander: (Top Guns 6) LTC Rafael Torres CSM: (Top Guns 7) CSM Jacobs HHB Commander: (Hardcharger 6) CPT Jackson HHB 1SG: (Hardcharger 7) 1SG McKinley A BAT CDR: (Rock Hard 6) CPT Munn A BAT 1SG: (Rock Hard 7) 1SG Carter B BAT CDR: (Bulls 6) CPT Sheridan B BAT 1SG: (Bulls 7) 1SG Postler SVC BAT CDR: (Sidewinder 6) CPT Tess SVC BAT 1SG: (Sidewinder 7) 1SG Goetz REAR D CDR: CPT Jenkins REAR D NCOIC: SFC Herron |
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