Nicknamed “Guns of Glory,” the 101st Airborne Division Artillery was originally formed as the 176th Field Artillery Brigade in the Organized Reserves on 24 June 1921 and organized in 1923 in Wisconsin. It was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 101st Division Artillery on 30 January 1942; about eight months later it was disbanded and simultaneously reconstituted in the Army of the United States as HHB, 101st Airborne Division Artillery.
During World War II, the 101st Airborne DIVARTY took part in four campaigns, earning Arrowhead devices for taking part in assault landings during Normandy and the Rhineland campaigns. It was also awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions at the Battle of the Bulge, a French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action at Normandy, a Netherlands Orange Lanyard, and Belgian Fourragere 1940. It was not deployed for combat during the Korean War, but during the Vietnam it fought in a dozen of the 17 named campaigns and was the recipient of a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and a Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.
During the First Gulf War, it fought in two of the three campaigns and earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Its campaign participation in the War on Terrorism has yet to be determined, but it did receive a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 101st Airborne Division Artillery Distinctive Unit Insignia—also referred to as a DUI or a unit crest—was approved on 13 November 1942, and was amended to correct the spelling of the motto on 21 November 1968. Its symbolism is simple and straightforward: the Airborne nature of the Division is indicated by the wings on the shell, and the function of the units is indicated by the shell itself. “DE NUBIBUS” is Latin from “From The Clouds.”
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."Related Items
101st Airborne Division Artillery Beret Flash and Oval