1920 Test March of the 1/83 from Kentucky to Georgia

1930 1/83 Polo Team

This is an early brief history of the 83rd. It was sent by one of our members.

These are partial embarkation orders for the 1/83rd move to Vietnam. Included is a list of the advance party which flew to Vietnam ahead of the Battalion's transport by ship in October 1966.

Please notify Bill Taggart at artillery_83rd@yahoo.com if you see any errors or omissions in this document.

This document summarizes the lineage and honors of the 83rd Field Artillery in addition to the 1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery and the 2nd Battalion, 83rd Artillery specifically.

This material was complied by Janice E. McKenney of the Center of Military History, US Army.

(Provided courtesy of The Morris Swett Technical Library, Ft Sill. OK)

83rd Field Artillery Unit Crest
(Courtesy of The Institute of Heraldry)

83d Artillery
1st Battalion
RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm—1 Mar–9 Nov 71, DAGO 6, 74
RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC—3 Nov 66–30 Apr 68, DAGO 51, 71
Battery C
Presidential Unit Citation—22 Jan–18 Mar 69, DAGO 20, 73;
10–21 May 69, DAGO 16, 72

Neal Schwartz sent this document with the following comments...

"I found this 6 page document on “The Tet Offensive 1968”, and it had the following two references to the 1/83^rd Artillery in it:" 

The advance of the 3rd Brigade toward Hue necessitated close fire support coordination. Elements of the 1st Battalion, 30th Artillery (155-mm), and 1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery (8-inch self-propelled), had been situated at Landing Zone Nole since 20 February. From that position, these elements had been supporting the Vietnamese and Marine units in and around Hue. With the approach of the 2nd Brigade, coordination requirements became more exacting to avoid shelling refugees and friendly forces. 

Also noteworthy were the actions of units of the 54th Artillery Group which prevented the collapse of the Xuan Loc Base Camp. On 2 February, Xuan Loc came under heavy attack. The quick, devastating fire of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery, saved the post. Battery "C" fired 35 8-inch rounds and killed 80 of the attackers. During the period 1-18 February, similar missions supported the defense of Xuan Loc.

Neal writes:
"Each offensive earns our guys that were in Vietnam one star if any portion of his tour included any date during that offensive.  The stars are bronze in color and go on the Vietnam Service Ribbon for up to four offensives.  A sliver star is used to indicate five offensives."

Vietnam Studies Field Artillery 1954-1973

For a PDF version, click here.