Perspective
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Navy launched an attack on Pearl Harbor. The following day, December 8, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his “Day of Infamy” speech before Congress, prompting a declaration of war against Japan and marking the United States’ entry into World War II.
From August 7, 1942, to February 9, 1943, the Battle of Guadalcanal took place, beginning with U.S. Marine landings on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. This engagement represented the first major Allied offensive against Japanese forces in the Pacific theater and marked a turning point in the Pacific War.
On August 19, 1942, Operation Jubilee, known as the Dieppe Raid, was carried out—a risky amphibious assault by Allied forces on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in northern France. The operation resulted in significant setbacks.
The Battle of Stalingrad commenced on August 23, 1942, with Soviet forces defending the city against a German offensive. The battle was intensely brutal and extended until February 1943, significantly impacting the overall trajectory of the war and serving as one of the critical turning points against the Axis powers.
In August 1942, the North African campaign was prominent, with the British Eighth Army continuing its efforts against German forces commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The Second Battle of El Alamein in late October is recognized as a decisive turning point that shifted momentum against the Germans. This victory set the stage for the Allied invasion of French North Africa, known as Operation Torch, in November 1942, involving landings by American forces in Morocco and Algeria.
Regarding the cultural reference, the “River Kwai March,” notably associated with the film “The Bridge Over the River Kwai,” is set against the historical backdrop of the construction of the Burma Railway between September 16, 1942, and December 1943, involving British Army prisoners of war. The lively rhythm of the “Colonel Bogey March” was used in the film’s soundtrack. When Japanese officers prohibited British prisoners of war from singing, they resorted to whistling the tune instead. Urban legend suggests that the lyrics they whistled were humorous references to notable Nazi leaders, though these are not verified historically. “Hitler has only got one ball, Goering has two but very small, Himmler has something similar, but poor Joe Goebbels has no balls at all.
US Field Artillery Mission Statement1
The Field Artillery School trains Soldiers, Officers and Marines in tactics, techniques and procedures for the use of fire support systems in combat. The school provides individual training from the basic level to mid-level leadership skills. The school supports collective training of lessons learned on todays battlefields by maintaining a professional conversation with Soldiers and Marines in the field through the Fires Bulletin magazine, blogs and other media, and by supporting high-tech gaming simulations for the advance training of staff elements throughout the military.
At all times, the school supports the field artillery mission, which is to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire and to help integrate all lethal and nonlethal fire support assets into combined arms operations
US Field Artillery WWII Mission Statement2
To best use new long-range guns and better response times, the Field Artillery School championed the use of air observation to control artillery fires. The War Department approved organic field artillery air observation in 1942. The artillery air observers adjusted massed fire and performed liaison, reconnaissance, and other missions during the war.
Saint Barbara3
Patron Saint of Artillerymen
According to legend, Saint Barbaro was the daughter of a rich pagan family of Heliopolis in Egypt. Early in the fourth centaury A. D., perhaps during Diocletian’s ruthless persecution of the Christians, Saint Barbaro was shut up in a tower and then martyred by her father for having become a Christian. As he descended the mountain where he himself had cut off her head, a fierce storm arose, and a bolt of lightning struck him and completely consumed him. In time Saint Barbaro came to be invoked against thunder and lightning and later against all accidents arising from explosions and gunpowder. She was chosen as patron saint of artillerymen, possibly because the early pieces frequently exploded when fired and artillerymen were therefore in constant danger from their own weapons.
The Field Artillery March
John Philip Sousa, a famous musician and music composer adopted 1st Lt. Edmund L. Gruber 1908 tune and created “The U.S. Field Artillery March” also known as “The Caissons Go Rolling Along” in 1917. There are two lyric versions.
The 1918 Lyric
Over hill, over dale,
We will hit the dusty trail,
And those Caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout!
Counter marching all about,
And those Caissons go rolling along,
For it’s high high he,
In the Field Artillery,
Shout out your “No” [numbers] loud and strong,
For wher-e’er we go,
You will always know,
That those Caissons go rolling along.
Second Version
Over hill, over dale,
As we hit the dusty trail
And the Caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout!
Counter march and right about,
And the Caissons go rolling along.
Then it’s Heigh! Heigh! Hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where’er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along.
In the storm, in the night,
Action left or action right
See those Caissons go rolling along
Limber front, limber rear,
Prepare to mount your cannoneer
And those Caissons go rolling along.
Then it’s Heigh! Heigh! Hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where’er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along.
Was it high, was it low,
Where the heck did that one go?
As those Caissons go rolling along.
Was it left, was it right,
Now we won’t get home tonight
And those Caissons go rolling along.
Then it’s Heigh! Heigh! Hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where’er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along.
The Field Artillery Motto
The US Field Artillery motto is “King of Battle”
The Field Artillery Cheer
The US Field Artillery cheer is “Cannon Cooker”
Field Artillery School, 3rd February 1942, Registration and Information, Officer Candidate School, Lt Marriott
Caption: “Training Day Fort Sill” Fort Sill Field Artillery School
Caption: “Demonstration Day Fort Sill” Fort Sill Field Artillery School
Savage (left) & Malm (right) at Fort Sill Artillery School 1942
Caption: “Fort Sill Artillery School Home 1942″ Marriott
244th Field Artillery Battalion Is Activated
244th Field Artillery Battalion Colors
A reproduction of the original Battalion Colors.
244th Field Artillery Battalion DUI –
Distinctive Unit Insignia or Coat of Arms
Although none were produced, the following is the official DUI and motto of record. It features a crest with two colors divided diagonally: scarlet and gold. These two colors represent the number 2 in 244th. The design includes four artillery shells and four exploding artillery shells. The four artillery shells symbolize the first ‘4’ in 244th, while the four exploding shells represent the second ‘4’ in 244th.
Below the 244th crest is the battalion motto, appearing in Latin as “Non Litare,” which translates to “Yield Not.” This crest is positioned in the center of the eagle on the battalion colors, with the motto displayed above the eagle.
Station of Unit
Activated at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, 8th August 19425
Saturday – 8th August 1942
Original Unit
The Battalion was activated on 8 August 1942 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi and designated as the 244th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer, Truck Drawn) by General Order 79, Third Army, 27 July 1942 pursuant to authority contained in Army Ground Force letter, file 320.2/21 (FA) (R) GNOPN (7-7-42) as amended by Army Ground Force letter, file 320.2/21 (FA) (R) GNGCT (7-7-42) dated 15 July 1942.
The cadre of five officers and eight enlisted men were furnished by the 172nd Field Artillery Battalion originally of the New Hampshire National Guard.6
The Battalion was placed under the command of George Eddie Cook, Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army. 7
On 18 September 1942 recruits began to arrive from Reception Centers at Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Camp Blanding, Florida; George MeadeFort, Maryland and Camp Lee, Virginia. Almost all these men were inducted under Selective Service. About ten percent had prior service in various components of the Army. From time to time during 1943 individuals and small groups of replacements were received from Ft. Bragg, Ft. Sill, Presidio of Monterey, Calif. and various tactical units.
In January and February of 1944 twenty-four replacements were assigned who had returned to the United States from the European, Asiatic and American Theaters.8
Its companion Battalion, the 243rd Field Artillery Battalion was activated at the same time and at the same place, sharing the Shelby life with the 244th. The cadre of 5 officers and eighty-eight enlisted men were furnished by the 172nd Field Artillery Battalion, originally of the New Hampshire National Guard. Additional officers reported from Fort Bragg and Fort Sill. The Battalion was placed under the command of Gilbert R. Cook Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army, who’s Dog “Pepper” was also given a place in the High Command.9
Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont – 17th November 1939 – 172nd Field Artillery Battalion,
Baker Battery, New Hampshire National Guard.
Corp. Ray Cormier 3rd Row, 8th from right
172nd Field Artillery, 74th Field Artillery Brigade, Battery B, Camp Blanding Florida, December 1941 looking from north to south.
Third United States Army
Call Sign – Lucky Forward
On August 1st 1944, Lieutenant General George S. Patton took control of the United States’ Third Army in France. During WWII, General Patton’s call sign was “Lucky Forward.” Lucky representing Third Army and Forward referring to his position as the unit’s commanding general. There luck was that they never depended on luck to win the battle.
Third United States Army DUI
United States Army Institute of Heraldry
Third United States Army Shoulder Patch
United States Army Institute of Heraldry
THIRD UNITED STATES ARMY
HERALDIC ITEMS
DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA
Description:
A gold colored metal and enamel device, consisting of a blue disc with a reel border, the blue area bearing throughout a white letter “A” in front of in base a gold stylized fleuur-de-lis, the center petal extending behind and above the cross bar of the letter ”A” and behind and below the red border, and the top of the two outer petals extending under, downward and over the red border and terminating at and conjoined with the feet of the letter ”A” and the lower ends extending behind and below the red border which bears at top five gold-pointed stars and below and at either side of the inscription TERTIA SEMPER PRIMA (The Third Always First) in gold letters. The design is based on the shoulder sleeve insignia of the Third United States Army. The fleur-delis in base alludes to its initial organization of Headquarters, Third Army, at Ligny-en-Barrois, France in November 1918. The stars refer to the campaigns in which the organization participated during World War II. The motto reflects the unit’s constant readiness.
SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA
Description:
On a blue disc a white letter “A” within a red circle.
Symbolism:
The disc with two borders alludes to the designation of the unit, and the white letter ”A”
signifies “army.” The “A” inside an “O” also stands for Army of Occupation, World War l.
LINEAGE AND HONORS
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
THIRD UNITED STATES ARMY
LINEAGE
Organized 7 – 15 November 1918 in the Regular Army in France as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Third Army. Demobilized 2 July 1919 in Germany. Reconstituted 9 August 1932 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third Army. Headquarters activated I October 1933 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Headquarters Company activated 23 November 1940 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Redesignated January 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third United States Army. Inactivated 1 October 1973 at fort McPherson, Georgia. Activated 1 December 1982 at Fort McPherson, Georgia.
Saturday – 8th August 194210
Activated Camp Shelby Mississippi
Caption: August 1942 Camp Shelby Mississippi – 244th F. A. Bn. Hutments
The five original 244th F. A. Battalion Officers, Camp Shelby
Sergeant Norman J. Reeves was among the initial group of eighty enlisted personnel and five officers selected from the 172nd Field Artillery Battalion to be transferred to Camp Shelby for the activation of the 244th Field Artillery Battalion. Private Reeves completed basic training at Camp Blanding Florida with the 172nd Field Artillery Battalion.
Caption: “August 1942, Camp Shelby, Mississippi – Sergeant R. Cormier wearing a new helmet.”
Sergeant Cormier was among the original eighty enlisted members of the New Hampshire National Guard, 172nd Field Artillery Battalion, who transferred to the 244th Field Artillery Battalion. Hailing from Manchester, New Hampshire, Sergeant Cormier was fluent in French, which proved to be a valuable asset later on. He ultimately achieved the rank of First Sergeant with “A” Battery.
Technical Manual
TM 9-1326 – Artillery, 105-mm Howitzer M3 and
Howitzer Carriages M3 and M3A1
Caption: “August 1942 Camp Shelby – 105mm How. For 244th F. A. Bn.”
Twelve new M1A1 105mm Howitzer still with packaging material front view
Caption: “August 1942 Camp Shelby – 105mm How. For 244th F. A. Bn.”
Closeup, five of twelve new M1A1 105mm Howitzer still with packaging material rear view
Caption: August 1942 Camp Shelby Sgt. R. Cormier Scrubbing Tables
Aerial photo of Camp Shelby Mississippi 1942
Aerial Photo of Camp Shelby Mississippi 1941
Field Manual
Field Manual FM 26-5 – Interior Guard Duty
Caption: August 1942 Camp Shelby Mississippi, Sgt. Cormier In Full Battle Dress.
Fort Sill Officer Candidate Class #26, 28 May to 18 August 1942. No Photo.
T. B. Marriott’s hut mates in Class #26 were William P. Mader, Ernest E. Mahler, Haynes R. Mahoney, jr., Robert L. Malm and Mitchell A. Markle. Several of the men in Class #26 were assigned to the 244th. They were Atly Grahm, Robert L. Malm, Mitchell A. Markle, Joseph T. Price, William U. Savage and James R. Winkworth.
Honorable Discharge, 17th August 1942, Corporal Marriott
18th August 1942 – Field Artillery School Graduation Exercise Class 26
Ft. Sill. Was in Class #24 – got sick – finished in
Class #26
18th August 1942 – Field Artillery School Certificate of Proficiency Fort Sill
18th August 1942 – 2nd. Lt. Certificate of Commission
18th August 1942 – Report of Entry on Active Duty
18th August 1942 – Ft. Sill – Special Order 196
18th August 1942 – Statement of Service / Commissioned Service
Thomas B. Marriott, Jr. – Lieutenant, Field Artillery, U. S. Army Business Card
Thursday – 18th August 1942
Report Of Entry On Active Duty
Second Lt. Marriott at home in back yard
2nd. Lt. Thomas B. Marriott, jr.
1st. Lt. Thomas B. Marriott, jr.
Dear Mom and Pop,
One day gone and all OK so far. Fine trip got in around 9:40. We have no Capt. in the Battery so the Col. placed me in command – a Battery CO – but only till the Capt. arrives early this next month. Not many men present – but the work is here anyway – Its awful hot here – no breeze at all. Not leaving here for many, many months – more later – Much love
Tom
Caption: August 1942 Camp Shelby – Battery “A” 244th F. A. Bn., Sgts. Krol – Godzik – Cormier – Demers – Fectean – Gilbert
Monday – August 31st 1942
Federal Service Extension – Lt. Marriott
Lt. Marriott
Caption: August 1942 Camp Shelby Artillery Range
One of the large tent theaters, Camp Shelby Mississippi
Byron G. Rogers11
I grew up on a farm in Glennville, a small town in Tattnall County, Georgia. I had to leave school in the 8th grade to help farm, as many farming boys did in that time. I was the fourth child of eight children, and the third son. My two older brothers were not drafted into the service, but “Uncle Sam”, (as our government was called), wanted me. I received my draft notice and was inducted into the U. S. Army in July 1942.
I left Glennville by bus, going to Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. There were several other men that I knew on the bus as well. Mr. Newton Wall, a schoolteacher, was one of them, and he was put in charge of the group. There wasn’t much excitement on that bus. Most of us were 20 years old, going away to war, and not knowing when and if we’d be coming home again.
After being sworn into the Army at Fort McPherson, we were given our physicals. I’d never been given so many shots before. Seems like behind every door was someone to pop a needle in your arm or your butt. We were then issued our uniforms and boots. Later we would leave for Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Byron G. Rogers – Fort McPherson, Basic Training, Atlanta, Georgia12
Byron G. Rogers13
The 244th Field Artillery Battalion was activated on August 8, 1942 at Camp Shelby, and designated as a 105 mm Howitzer Battalion in the Third Army. Here we received our M1 rifles. We had recruits from all over the United States. We continued to receive many recruits and replacements from other Army posts, and our basic training proceeded at a rapid pace, in spite of the inclement weather. When we were lucky enough to get weekend passes, we’d go into the Gulf Coast towns and of course into Hattiesburg.
Interior of cafeteria in the Service Club at Camp Shelby Mississippi
1st. Lt. William D. Hightower, Nashville
1st. Lt. William D. Hightower
Dance Hall inside the Service Club at Camp Shelby Mississippi
Camp Shelby. Photo taken from the water tower
Pvt. Robert S. Joachim, Hq. Battery
S/Sgt. Harvey A. Dexter, A Battery
T/5 C. W. (Bill) Morris, A Battery
Caption: Pvt. Willner Beach Camp Shelby.
Caption: Pvt. Joseph I. Barnett and Pvt. Willner Beach Camp Shelby
Tec/5 Willner Beach, C Battery
PFC William G. McDonald, Shenandoah, Pa., C Battery
PFC William G. McDonald, Shenandoah, Pa., C Battery
Monday – August 31st 194214
Strength Last Day (Commissioned And Enlisted)
| DATE | OFFICERS | ENLISTED MEN | TOTAL | INCREASE | DECREASE |
| August 1942 | 24 | 88 | 112 | 9 |
For comments, questions, corrections, update or to send information, please use –
contact.the.244th@gmail.com
- Fort Sill Fires Center of Excellence, The Official Homepage of the Field Artillery School
- Fort Sill Fires Center of Excellence, The Official Homepage of the Field Artillery School
- Famous Artillery Quotations, The Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma
- Fort Sill Army News, August 1, 1942
- Department of The Army, The Adjutant General’s Office, History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion 8 August 1942 to 15 March 1944
- Department of The Army, The Adjutant General’s Office, History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion 8 August 1942 to 15 March 1944
- Department of The Army, USH&EC, USAMHI, 202-244th 1945, “History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion During World War II
- Department of The Army, The Adjutant General’s Office, History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion 8 August 1942 to 15 March 1944
- HQ, 244th F.A. Bn., APO 403, Major Carey A. Clark Commanding, Letter to Officers and Enlisted Men, History of the 244th, 26th June 1945
- W. U. (Doc) Savage Letter, December 15, 1949
- Serving In Harm's Way, A Record of My Service In The U.S. Army and WWII, Byron G. Rogers jr., January 2006
- Serving In Harm's Way, A Record of My Service In The U.S. Army and WWII, Byron G. Rogers jr., January 2006
- Serving In Harm's Way, A Record of My Service In The U.S. Army and WWII, Byron G. Rogers jr., January 2006
- Department of The Army, The Adjutant General’s Office, History of The 244th Field Artillery Battalion 8 August 1942 to 15 March 1944