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CAMPAIGN PARTICIPANTS CREDIT OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
- Liberation of Iraq
- Transition of Iraq
- Meritorious Unit Commendation, awarded 27 June 2005 for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
HISTORY
"Confront Any Mission: Rounds Away!"
The 83d Chemical Battalion first activated at Camp Gordon, Georgia on 10 June 1942. After intensive training, it departed the United States on 29 April 1943 for overseas duty. The Battalion served 508 days in combat in the Mediterranean Theater and Mainland Europe during World War II. The battalion was designed to carry 36 4.2 inch mortars, with each shell weighing about 25 pounds, for a total firepower effect equivalent to three 105mm howitzers. The 4.2 inch mortar brought a lethal, mid-to-close range fire support capability to the infantry units the 83d supported. The battalion successfully performed five amphibious operations, one airborne operation, and fought in eight campaigns. The 83d boasts a brilliant campaign record, having fired over 500,000 mortar rounds in support of such distinguished units as the Rangers, 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions, and the 2d and 41st British Commandos.
The 83d Chemical Mortar Battalion inactivated on 26 November 1945 at Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts. It reactivated as the 83d Chemical Battalion (Service) on 18 March 1955 at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Its subunits included the 317th Chemical Company (Processing), the 22d Chemical Company (Combat Support), and the 501st Chemical Company (Depot). The Battalion last inactivated in 1966 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
On 01 October 1993, it reactivated at Fort Bragg as the 83d Chemical Battalion (CORPS). The Battalion relocated to Fort Polk in September 2000. The battalion’s war trace units were the 101st Chemical Company (Smoke/Decon) located at Fort Bragg, and the 59th Chemical Company (Smoke/Decon) at Fort Drum. The 83d served as the active duty command and control headquarters for chemical units assigned or attached to XVIII Airborne Corps or a Joint Task Force Commander. The battalion deployed from Fort Polk on 08 February 2003, serving 118 days in Kuwait and Iraq. Upon commencement of ground offensive operations into Iraq, the battalion provided support to all major ground forces including 3d Infantry Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Division, United States Special Operations Forces, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
In 2007, the chemical units assigned to the 83d CBRN Battalion at Fort Polk included its Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 7th CBRN Company (BIDS), the 51st CBRN Company (Combat Support), and administrative control of 705th EOD Company. That year, the battalion was recognized under the 48th Chemical Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, the 20th Support Command (CBRN) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. The 21st (Combat Support) and 101st (Smoke/Decon) CBRN Companies, located at Fort Bragg, were attached for training, readiness, and authority, and the 63rd and 92nd Chemical Companies at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Fort Stewart, Georgia were similarly attached during their deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom respectively. The 83d CBRN Battalion also had oversight and responsibility for the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Rear) during the deployment of the brigade Headquarters in support of OEF. In 2010, all companies in the battalion were transformed into Combat Support (CS). On 10 September 2010, 7th CBRN Company (BIDS) inactivated at Fort Polk, and in June 2011, 92nd CBRN Company, located at Fort Stewart, was assigned to the battalion. The 83d CBRN Battalion currently stands ready at Fort Stewart, Georgia with 25th Tech Escort (TE) Company, 51st Chemical Company, 92nd Chemical Company, and 705th EOD Company, while 21st Chemical Company remains at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and 59th Chemical Company remains at Fort Drum, New York.
- Sicily (with arrowhead)
- Southern France (with arrowhead)
- Naples-Foggia (with arrowhead)
- Rhineland
- Anzio (with arrowhead)
- Ardennes-Alsace
- Roma-Arno
- Central Europe