The 170th MP Battalion: Heraldry and History

By Major William Carraway

Historian, Georgia National Guard

 

Left: The distinctive unit insignia of the 170th MP Battalion. Right: The 170th command team circa 1978. 

Unit Insignia of the 170^th MP Battalion.

On February 24, 1971, the US Army Institute of Heraldry approved the distinctive unit insignia of the 170^th Military Police Battalion. The colors green and yellow represent the Military Police. The gothic arch symbolizes the areas comprising the Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns and is used to represent the unit's participation there as the 179^th Field Artillery Regiment during World War II. Red and green refer to the French Croix de Guerre awarded the unit for action along the Moselle River represented by the wavy beam. The fleur-de-lis is symbolic of France and refers to both the Normandy and the Northern France campaigns. The black disc simulates a cannon ball and together with the colors scarlet and gold (yellow) alludes to artillery, the unit's former designation. A doorway implies protection and barrier, and with the scale of justice refers to the overall mission of the organization. The unit motto, first in peace and in war is inherited from the 122nd Infantry Regiment which was redesignated the 179^th Field Artillery Regiment in 1939.[1]

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 122nd Infantry Regiment participate in a machine gun drill with an M1917A1 water-cooled machine gun in 1939.
Georgia National Guard Archives.

Formation and Early History[2]

The predecessor unit of the 170^th MP Battalion was organized and federally recognized March 5, 1924 in the Georgia National Guard in Atlanta as Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion and Company C, 200th Infantry. On June 9, 1924, the unit was redesignated as Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, and Company C, 122d Infantry Regiment. 

On July 1, 1939, the unit was converted and redesignated as Headquarters Battery and Combat Train, 1st Battalion, and Battery C, 179th Field Artillery. One year later the unit was reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1940 as Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 179th Field Artillery.

 

World War II[3]

The 179^th FA was inducted into federal service Feb. 24, 1941 in Atlanta. And on Feb. 8, 1943 was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters Battery and Battery C, 179th Field Artillery Battalion.

After serving in the European Operations, the 179^th FA was inactivated Dec. 9, 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Va.

ATLANTA, April 21, 1955 Two- and-1/2-ton trucks of the 179th Field Artillery, 48th Armored Division loaded full of troops move out
from the Atlanta Armory during Operation Minuteman. Georgia National Guard Archives.

 

Post WWII Reorganizations

Upon the reorganization of the Georgia National Guard in July 1946, the 179^th FA Battalion was assigned to the 48th Infantry Division.[4] The 179^th was reorganized and federally recognized May 2, 1947 in Atlanta.[5] On Nov. 1, 1955, the 48^th was reorganized as the 48th Armored Division and the 179^th was redesignated as Headquarters Battery and Battery C, 179th Armored Field Artillery Battalion.[6]

 

FORT STEWART, Ga.  1959 - Two 8-inch self-propelled howitzers of the 1st Rocket/Howitzer Battalion, 179th Artillery from Atlanta, Ga. during
annual training of the 48th Armored Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.  Image courtesy of the National Guard Educational Foundation, Washington D.C.

Subsequent reorganizations in 1959[7] and 1963 established the unit as Headquarters Battery and Battery C, 1st Rocket Howitzer Battalion, 179th Artillery and Headquarters and Service Battery and Battery D, 1st Battalion, 179th Artillery, respectively. 

A reorganization of the 48^th Armor Division January 1, 1968 consolidated Headquarters and Service Battery and Battery D. The consolidated unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 170th Military Police Battalion.[8]

The 170th MP Battalion was initially comprised of a headquarters detachment and the 178^th and 190^th MP Companies.. The 178^th was organized in Monroe where it is currently stationed. Originally organized in Atlanta, the 190^th relocated to Kennesaw in 1997 after a brief stationing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.[9]

On Sept. 30, 1999, Headquarters Detachment, 170^th MP Battalion was consolidated with the 190^th MP Company. The 190^th MP Company carried forward the lineage and heritage of the 170^th.[10]

Soldiers of the 170th Military Police Battalion salute the colors during the battalion change of command ceremony March 11, 2018 in Decatur, Ga.
Georgia National Guard photo by Capt. Charlie Emmons

The 170th was reorganized in Decatur September 1, 2007[11] and on Sept. 1, 2019, the 190^th MP Company was consolidated with Headquarters Detachment. The lineage of the original 170^th MP Battalion was thus restored to the 170th.[12] As of this date, the 170th MP Battalion, 178th and 179th MP Companies are assigned to the Marietta-based 201st Regional Support Group.

Soldiers of the 170th Military Police Battalion, 201st Regional Support Group, Georgia Army National Guard stand in formation to receive instructions
Sept. 1, 2021, at the battalion headquarters in Decatur, Georgia prior to mobilizing to Louisiana following Hurricane Ida. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeron Walker.

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[1] The Institute of Heraldry. “Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 170^th MP Battalion.” https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=7011&CategoryId=3937&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services&from=search

[2] Center for Military History. “190^th MP Company Lineage and Honors Certificate.”

[3] Center for Military History. “190^th MP Company Lineage and Honors Certificate.”

[4] Center for Military History. “190^th MP Company Lineage and Honors Certificate.”

[5] Center for Military History. “190^th MP Company Lineage and Honors Certificate.”

[6] NG AROTO325.4 October 17, 1955.

[7] RA 73-59 10 June 1959.

[8] RA 71-67 December 14, 1967, effective January 1, 1968.

[9] OA 199-97 August 22, 1997, effective September 1, 1997.

[10] OA 252-90 October 11, 1990 effective September 30, 1990.

[11] OA 97-05 October 28, 2005, effective September 1, 2007.

[12] OA 337-19 November 18, 2019 effective September 1, 2019.

A History of Battery A, 214th Field Artillery Regiment

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

 

 An M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer assigned to the Georgia Army National Guard’s Battery A, 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery sends a 155 mm 
projectile down range during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga. March 15, 2016. Photo by Capt. William Carraway

Battery A, 214^th Field Artillery Regiment was organized and federally recognized in Hartwell, Ga. as Battery C, 950^th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Automatic Weapons, Mobile).[1] It was the 110^th unit of the Georgia Army National Guard to be organized as part of the post-World War II reestablishment of the National Guard. The battery’s first 18 Soldiers were sworn in as charter members of the unit in the Hart County Courthouse which served as the temporary headquarters for the unit until the Hartwell Armory was completed in 1962.[2]

 

The original 18 members of the Batterh C, 950th AAA are sworn in at the Hart County Court House. Georgia National Guard Archives. 

On May 1, 1956, the 950^th AAA was reorganized and equipped with 75 mm guns whereupon Battery C was reorganized as Battery D.[3] As part of a major reorganization of the Georgia Army National Guard July 1, 1959, the unit was reorganized as Battery B, 4^th Gun Battalion (Skysweeper) 214^th Artillery.[4] In May 1962, the unit was redesignated Battery B, 1^st Howitzer Battalion, 214^th FAR and equipped with 105 mm howitzers.[5]

Sweeping the Fort Stewart skies from their emplaced position deep within the armor and antiaircraft training center, this battery of Guardsmen from Hartwell's
Battery B, 4th Gun Battalion point the muzzle of their 75 mm "Skysweeper" towards the approaching aircraft in a practice field exercise. The Guardsmen,
part of the 108th Artillery Brigade, trained at Fort Stewart from June 26 to July 10, 1960. Georgia National Guard Archives.

 A major reorganization of the Ga. ARNG April 16, 1963[6] created the 648^th Maintenance Battalion. The Hartwell unit was redesignated Company B of the newly created 648^th MB. This designation lasted less than five years as the inactivation of the 48^th Armor Division Jan. 1, 1968 prompted another state-wide reorganization. The Hartwell company was redesignated 2^nd and 3^rd Engineer Platoons of Company C, 105^th Engineer Battalion.[7] Redesignation as Detachment 1, Company C, 148^th Support Battalion followed Dec 1, 1973.[8] The unit received its current designation as Battery A 1-214^th FAR Dec.1, 1976.[9]  Through most of its existence, Battery A, 1-214^th has called Hartwell home; however, the unit was temporarily assigned to Winder from 2011 to 2014.[10]

 

On March 15, 2003, the 1-214^th FAR was activated for service in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Soldiers of Battery A also participated in the 1-214^th ONE mission in 2004 and supported a company-size element of 1-214^th Soldiers that mobilized to Iraq in 2006 in support of the 34^th Infantry Brigade.[11]

The 1-214^th FAR was assigned to the 648^th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade upon its activation in 2009; however, in 2010, the 1-214^th FAR was transferred back to the 78^th Troop Command.[12] The following year Battery A relocated to Winder, Ga. In 2013, the 1-214^th returned to the 648^th MEB.[13]

Battery A deployed with the 214^th FAR to Afghanistan in 2013 and returned to the United States the following year. In 2014, the Ga. ARNG completed a one-million-dollar renovation of the Hartwell Armory.

Soldiers of Battery A participated in Exercise African Lion 2021 in Morocco. Battery A has also supplied personnel to support the United States Customs and Border Patrol mission on the Southwest border.

An M109A6 Paladin howitzer assigned to the Hartwell-based Alpha Battery, 1-214th FAR moves to a loading dock May 10, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida.
The self-propelled howitzer was one of over 200 Georgia Army National Guard vehicles that deployed to Morocco for participation in
exercise African Lion 21. Photo by Capt. Bryant Wine.

 

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[1] “Btry C, 950^th Bn, Activated in Hartwell. The Georgia Guardsman. Jan-Feb 1956, 4

[2] “Four New Armories Dedicated 27-28 Nov in Marietta, Calhoun, Lavonia and Hartwell.” The Georgia Guardsman. Sept-Dec 1962, 2.

[3] NG-AROTO 325.4 April 12, 1956.

[4] RA 73-59 June 10, 1959.

[5] RA 47-62 April 16, 1962

[6] RA 57-63 March 21, 1963

[7] RA 7-167 Dec. 14, 1967

[8] RA 153-73 Nov. 23, 1973

[9] RA 236-76 8 Nov. 1956

[10] Ga. ARNG PO 181-017 1 Sept. 2011 and NGB OA 436-14 Nov. 18, 2014.

[11] Georgia Department of Defense. The Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2006.

[12] Georgia Department of Defense. The Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2010, 15.

[13] Georgia Department of Defense. The Georgia Department of Defense Annual Report, 2013, 15.

 

The 348th Brigade Support Battalion

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard.

Soldiers of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion  at Fort Stewart in 2011. Right: Unit insignia of the 348th BSB. Georgia National Guard Archives.

On February 4, 2011, the US Army Institute of Heraldry approved the distinctive unit insignia of the Georgia Army National Guard's 348^th Brigade Support Battalion.

 

Symbolism

The colors and images depicted in the 348^th BSB unit insignia have distinct symbolism. Blue is the color of loyalty and trust. Black represents consistency and confidence. Scarlet represents service and sacrifice and is one of the colors traditionally used by Support. Gold symbolizes high ideals and excellence. The griffin embodies diligence and courage. The sword it holds signifies justice and military readiness. The gauntlet highlights the qualities of leadership and strength while the lightning bolts in its grasp represent swiftness and power. The unit motto translates to “Deliver the Strike.”

Background

The 348^th BSB was organized Sept. 1, 2009, with Headquarters and Company A based in Forsyth County and Company B in Hinesville.[1] Federal recognition was granted to Headquarters and Company A June 3, 2010, while Company B carried on the lineage and honors of Detachment 1, Company B, 148^th BSB.[2] Headquarters and Company A relocated to Ellenwood, Ga in September 2013.[3]

Georgia Army National Guard Sgt. Martika Carter, a water treatment specialist with Company A, 348th Brigade Support Battalion trains Soldiers on
water quality testing while operating her unit’s tactical water purification system during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga. April 20, 2016.
Photo by Capt. Charles Emmons.

Company A served as the distribution company providing transportation and supply support. Water treatment specialists of Company A successfully fielded a Tactical Water Purification System capable of purifying 1,500 gallons of fresh water per hour.[4] 

Pfc. Michael Murphy, an allied trades specialist
with Company B, 348th Brigade Support Battalion
operates a plasma cutter during a metal fabrication
project at Fort Stewart in April 2016.

Company B served as the BSB’s maintenance company providing field-level maintenance support to the 648^th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and its supported units. Within the maintenance company, an allied trades section was capable of welding and fabricating custom field work.[5]

The 348^th held its first annual training at Fort Stewart in 2010[6] and provided support to the Georgia and Florida National Guard XCTC rotation the following year.[7] In 2013, Soldiers of the 348^th supported the 648^th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and 2^nd Infantry Division during the largest exercise conducted on the Korean Peninsula since the Korean War.[8] Mobilizing to Camp Dodge Iowa in 2014, personnel of the 348^th trained alongside the 148^th BSB during a Warfighter exercise. Soldiers of the 348^th again supported the 648^th MEB overseas during Operation Saber Guardian 2017 in Mihaesti, Romania.[9] In 2018, the 348^th provided logistical support to the 48^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during its rotation at the Joint Readiness Center at Fort Polk, La.[10]

As the organic support battalion to the 648^th MEB, the 348^th was in high demand for overseas training missions and provided personnel and equipment to multiple emergency responses at home. Vehicles and personnel of the 348th assisted in the response to two winter storms in January and February 2014. The 348^th also supported the citizens of Georgia following Hurricane’s Matthew, Irma, and Dorian. During Vigilant Guard 2017, a hurricane response exercise, the 348^th demonstrated its water filtration capability to first responders by providing clean water to the Augusta Fire Department as part of simulated response scenario.

The Ellenwood, Ga. headquarters of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion in June 2018. Photo by Maj. William Carraway.

The 348^th BSB was inactivated during a ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center August 22, 2020. The lineage and honors of Headquarters and Company A passed on to Headquarters Company, 648^th MEB while the lineage and honors of Company B were carried on by the Hinesville-based 1788^th Quartermaster Company.[11]

 

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Newton and Command Sgt. Major William Scaggs case the colors of the 348th Brigade Support Battalion during the unit’s
inactivation ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. Aug. 22, 2020. To the right, Capt. April Johnson and 1st Sgt. Eric Yates case the colors of
Headquarters Company, 348th BSB. Photo by Maj. William Carraway

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[1] OA 250-09 May 3, 2010.

[2] OA 217-10 July 15, 2010.

[3] OA 191-13 Sept. 13, 2013.

[4] William Carraway. Something Cool to Drink.” The Georgia Guardsman. May 2016, 3-4.

[5] William Carraway. “348^th BSB Conducts Annual Training.” The Georgia Guardsman. Summer 2015, 17.

[6] Georgia Department of Defense 2010 Annual Report, 15.

[7] Georgia Department of Defense 2011 Annual Report 15.

[8] Georgia Department of Defense 2013 Annual Report, 15.

[9] Georgia Department of Defense 2017 Annual Report, 18.

[10] Charles Emmons. “Georgia Guard Trains at JRTC. The Georgia Guardsman. Q2 2018, 12-14.

[11] OA 215-20 Nov 13, 2020.