US AIRBORNE

The 320 th was created August 5, 1917 as part of the 82 nd Division. The 320 th with its two sister regiments, the 319 th and321 th became part of the 157 th Brigade Field Artillery, August 29, 1917 at Camp Gordon near of Atlanta under the command of Colonel HCWilliams. Initially, they are organized as qu'artillerie rides. The 320 th had 4 guns of 3 inches. The 320 th saw its first combat during the campaign of Lorraine. It replaced the 12 nd Field Artillery before Marbach north of Nancy.Then, she participated with the 82 nd American offensive in St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. After he moved d 'at The Imécourt Islettes where he camped until the signing of the armistice. The 320 th returned to the United States to be discharged May 12, 1919.
On June 24, 1919, the 320 th Field Artillery Regiment, became a reserve unit assigned to the 82 nd Division.
On March 25, 1942, the 320 th was reorganized and reactivated as part of the 82 nd at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis A. March.
In mid-August 1942, the 82 nd was converted into airborne unit. The 320 th battalion was reorganized and re-designated as the 320 th Glider Field Artillery Battalion. It was reorganized into 2 batteries 6 howitzers M1A1 75mm each. Before the first battle, he received M3 105mm howitzers.
On January 5, 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Paul E. Wright took command of the battalion.

During the Sicilian campaign, the battalion has served as a reserve unit.
On September 23, 1943, the battalion landed at Paestum, Italy where he was ordered to reinforce the 3rd Infantry Divisionengaged against the Germans near the river Volturino. The battalion remained in front until November 1, 1943 when she was found and joined the rest of the division in Naples, Italy.

The 320 th arrived at the front Normandy on 6 June 44. He landed by gliders, but because of poor visibility, the gliders were scattered over a long distance so that at 9:30 the next day, only 2 howitzers were ready for battle.
On June 8, 44, 8 howitzers have supported the 325 th GIR, the next day, ninth constructed from another set was damaged battery. The 320 th continued to support the 325 th until 13 June 44. At this moment he is set to strengthen the 319 th who supported the 508 th PIR to spend the fluke. It was found July 11, 1944 and sent to England by LST July 13. For his action during the campaign, the battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

The next operation which participated the 320 th was Market Garden.
On 18 and 19 September the battalion glider landed near Groesbeck, Holland. There he served as supports at 325 th GIR to clear the area of the German forces and then keep it. He also served as a force for supporting the 505 th PIR in its efforts to establish a bridgehead across the Waal at Nijmegen. For his action during the operation, the 320 th was awarded the Military Order of William. However, its success would be short-lived because the defeat of the Allied troops at Arnhem. The move to Germany would not open in September 1944 and the 82 nd was sent to France.

On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched an offensive through the Ardennes Belge surprising the Allies.Two days later, the 82 nd was sent to Werbomont to block the German advance.
On 19 December morning, the 82 nd fell in Belgium and was heading north while the 101 st was sent to Bastogne. The German advance separated the two airborne units. The 82nd has generally faces great difficulty in taking positions along the north edge of the salient. The battalion employed 18,900 shells to repel the German attack. For his action, he received the 1940 Forage Belgian.

The 82nd crossed the Rhine near Cologne on 1 April 1945. Once the bag reached the Ruhr, the 320 th and other units it moved near Blekede and the Elbe with the mission to force a passage that would lead the units to meet the Russian army . The battalion entered Ludwigslust, Germany where they met the Russians on May 1, 45. Here began his mission of occupation. The war was officially ended in Europe May 5, 1945. The 82nd was invited to serve as occupation forces in the American sector of Berlin.
On January 3, 1946, the 82 nd was returned to the United States. They marched in the Victory Parade in New York along the 5th Avenue. Throughout the fighting, the 320 th burned more than 68,562 shells.

United States:

Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Company A for its action in Normandy.

Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Company B for its action in Normandy.

Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Company B for its work in Holland.

Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Company C for its work in Holland.

France:

Croix de Guerre with Palm awarded to Company A for its shares to Holy Mother Church and the Cotentin.

Feed given to the Company A.

Croix de Guerre with Palm awarded to Company B for its actions to Holy Mother Church and the Cotentin.

Feed given to the Company B.

Holland:

Military Order of William (Degree of Chevalier and 4th class) for his actions in Nijmegen in 1944.

Lanyard Orange Hollandaise.

Belgium:

Belgian Feed 1940

- Quoted in the agenda of the Belgian army for his actions in the Ardennes.

- Quoted in the agenda of the Belgian army for his actions in Belgium and Germany.