407th Forward Support Battalion
Encyclopedia
Originally designated the 307th Supply Train (Motor), the unit was activated on 5 August 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia as the country was building up for World War I
. The unit was part of the 82d Infantry Division, which was assigned to the American Expeditionary Force
on the Western Front in France. The Supply Train served with distinction during the American offensive on the St. Mihiel Salient and during the severe fighting in the Argonne Forest.
After the Armistice
, the unit was demobilized
in 1919, and reorganized two years later in the organized reserves as the 82d Division Train, Quartermaster Corps. After several other changes in designation, the Supply Train finally received its present day numerical designation as the 407th Quartermaster Regiment on 1 July 1936.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor
, the 82d , along with the 407th, was called to active duty on 25 March 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. On 15 August of that same year, the 407th left its non-airborne roots behind forever when it became the 407th Airborne Quartermaster Company. The 407th then supported the Division in both Sicily and Italy.
When the Division went into Normandy
, the 407th arrived there with the glider
forces and the seaborne forces. The 407th also participated in the glider assault into Holland. For these two operations, the 407th is credited with two arrowheads (initial assault) on its battle streamers
.
In the years after World War II
, the 407th finally became a full battalion
. On 1 September 1957, the unit reorganized as the 407th Supply and Transportation Battalion. In this configuration, the 407th served in the Dominican Republic for Operation POWER PACK, in Grenada for Operation URGENT FURY, in Panama for Operation JUST CAUSE, and in Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
On 22 October 1993, the unit took its present day form as the multi-functional 407th Forward Support Battalion. In this configuration, the unit provides all Direct Support logistical needs as part of the Division’s 2d Brigade Task Force. During Operation RESTORE DEMOCRACY in Haiti, the 407th was ready to deploy with Task Force Falcon
, only to be stood down at the last minute. Thus, proving the battalion’s ability to deploy with the Task Force, anywhere in the world, within 18 hours to close with and destroy the enemy
The paratroopers of the 407th are as versatile as the battalion. Whether pumping fuel from a forward area refueler, transporting critical ammunition, issuing food and supplies, fixing damaged vehicles, maintaining the Brigade’s weapons systems, issuing repair parts, or treating and evacuating casualties from the drop zone, the soldiers of the 407th are sentinels in America’s Guard of Honor. They are proud of what they do in the DISCOM, proud to support the 2d Brigade Task Force, and proud to be "All AMERICANS".
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The unit was part of the 82d Infantry Division, which was assigned to the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
on the Western Front in France. The Supply Train served with distinction during the American offensive on the St. Mihiel Salient and during the severe fighting in the Argonne Forest.
After the Armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
, the unit was demobilized
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
in 1919, and reorganized two years later in the organized reserves as the 82d Division Train, Quartermaster Corps. After several other changes in designation, the Supply Train finally received its present day numerical designation as the 407th Quartermaster Regiment on 1 July 1936.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, the 82d , along with the 407th, was called to active duty on 25 March 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. On 15 August of that same year, the 407th left its non-airborne roots behind forever when it became the 407th Airborne Quartermaster Company. The 407th then supported the Division in both Sicily and Italy.
When the Division went into Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, the 407th arrived there with the glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
forces and the seaborne forces. The 407th also participated in the glider assault into Holland. For these two operations, the 407th is credited with two arrowheads (initial assault) on its battle streamers
Campaign streamer
Campaign streamers are decorations attached to military flags to recognize particular achievements or events of a military unit or service. Attached to the headpiece of the assigned flag, the streamer often is an inscribed ribbon with the name and date denoting participation in a particular battle,...
.
In the years after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 407th finally became a full battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
. On 1 September 1957, the unit reorganized as the 407th Supply and Transportation Battalion. In this configuration, the 407th served in the Dominican Republic for Operation POWER PACK, in Grenada for Operation URGENT FURY, in Panama for Operation JUST CAUSE, and in Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
On 22 October 1993, the unit took its present day form as the multi-functional 407th Forward Support Battalion. In this configuration, the unit provides all Direct Support logistical needs as part of the Division’s 2d Brigade Task Force. During Operation RESTORE DEMOCRACY in Haiti, the 407th was ready to deploy with Task Force Falcon
Task Force Falcon
Task Force Falcon may refer to:*Task Force Falcon , a US Army Task Force*Task Force Falcon , a bounty-hunting company...
, only to be stood down at the last minute. Thus, proving the battalion’s ability to deploy with the Task Force, anywhere in the world, within 18 hours to close with and destroy the enemy
The paratroopers of the 407th are as versatile as the battalion. Whether pumping fuel from a forward area refueler, transporting critical ammunition, issuing food and supplies, fixing damaged vehicles, maintaining the Brigade’s weapons systems, issuing repair parts, or treating and evacuating casualties from the drop zone, the soldiers of the 407th are sentinels in America’s Guard of Honor. They are proud of what they do in the DISCOM, proud to support the 2d Brigade Task Force, and proud to be "All AMERICANS".
Past commanders
- Lt. Col. Ann E. DunwoodyAnn E. DunwoodyGeneral Ann Elizabeth Dunwoody, USA , is the current Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command. She previously served as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command from June 17, 2008 to November 13, 2008. On June 23, 2008, U.S. President George W. Bush nominated her to serve as the...
- Lt. Col. Thomas Rogers
- Lt. Col. William Hughes
- Lt. Col. Jeffrey Douville
- Lt. Col. F.D. (SAM) Samonte
- Lt. Col. Robert (Bob) Cursio, Jr.
- Lt. Col. Terry Juskowiak
See also
- Maroon BeretMaroon beretThe maroon beret is a military beret and has been an international symbol of elite airborne forces since it was chosen for British airborne forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the British...
- Parachutist BadgeParachutist Badge (United States)The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy...
- Military cadenceMilitary cadenceIn the armed services, a military cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching...