The 20th Field Artillery Regiment was originally formed as the 20th Field Artillery in the Regular Army on 1 July 1916 and organized the next month at Fort Sam Houston. In all, six battalions have been organized and served under the 20th Field Artillery Regiment’s colors since that time, but as of Summer 2023 only the 2nd Battalion is still active. Nicknamed the “Deep Strike” Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment has deployed to Iraq three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; the entire Regiment was awarded a Meritorious Unit commendation for its 2005 – 2006 tour, while Batteries A, B, and C received an MUC for its deployment in 2008 – 2009.
Beginning with its service in World War I with the 5th Division, the Regiment has taken part in twenty campaigns, with the number of campaigns from the War on Terrorism it will be credited with yet to be determined. Unit decorations prior to the War on Terrorism include a Belgian Fourragere with two citations in the Order of the day of the Belgium Army, an Arrowhead device for taking part in the assault landing at Normandy, and a Presidential Unit Citation and two Valorous Unit Awards earned over the course of thirteen Vietnam War campaigns. It is a record that proves without question that the Regiment’s personnel take the motto “Duty Not Reward” as a credo by which they serve.
The 20th Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia is based upon its service in World War I. The shield is colored red, the branch color for Artillery, with a gold bend (diagonal bar) taken from the coat of arms of Lorraine, the French city near where they fought. A red diamond in the bend is inspired by the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 5th Division (now 5th Infantry Division), the unit the Regiment was assigned to in World War I.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.