119th Field Artillery Regiment ( United States ) The 119th Field Artillery Regiment is an artillery regiment of the Michigan Army National Guard and thus of the United States Army . History . Origins . What would eventually become the 1st Battalion , 119th Field Artillery Regiment began with numerous other militia units , most notably with " Rogers ' Rangers " , the famed frontier unit of the French and Indian War s of 1754 . The Rangers , after the end of the war , left nearly 30 of their soldiers in Fort Detroit , to serve as the nucleus of the militia there . The men , proud of their heritage gained while serving under Major Robert Rogers , retained much of that unit ' s lore , legacy , and structure , including his famous standing orders . Eventually , that unit became a full - sized infantry militia . Prior to the American Civil War , this unit was blended with cavalry and artillery units , and served as part of the famed " Iron Brigade " , taking part in every major battle east of the Mississippi River , save Vicksburg , during the war . Following the war , they served in the American west and along the Mexican Border , firing in support of the famed 10th Cavalry Regiment ( Buffalo Soldiers , an all - black cavalry unit ) and hunting for Pancho Villa under the command of General John J . Pershing . During the Spanish - American War , the unit served in Cuba , firing on the San Juan Heights during the famed charge of the 10th Cavalry and another famous unit , later - President Theodore Roosevelt ' s " Rough Riders " . World wars . In World War I , as part of the famous 32nd Infantry Division ( " Red Arrow " ) , the unit fought in numerous campaigns and battles in France , culminating in their distinguished service at the Second Battle of the Marne , when they and a handful of other American units routed the German counter - offensive , and brought an end to the war . The battalion was awarded the French Croix de guerre for bravery and steadfast gallantry in action . The 119th had been described once by General John " Black Jack " Pershing as being " The legion of hell itself . . . disheveled and uncut , a rowdy and miscreant lot , who fight like demonic lions and drink like gods , but in all , no better men than to have with you in combat ! " The reputation for unorthodox behavior , technical expertise , and astounding courage is echoed in the annals of military history , a proud heritage for the unit , who in 1996 , took the name " Red Lions " from Pershing ' s comments and the lion on their crest which was taken from Ponce de Leon ' s ranch while serving on the Mexican border . Prior to the United States ' entry into World War II , the 119th Field Artillery Regiment ( 155mm Gun ) ( Motorized ) was inducted into federal service on 7 April 1941 in Lansing , Michigan , and arrived at Fort Knox , Kentucky , ten days later . It transferred to Fort Leonard Wood , Missouri , on 2 June 1941 and was assigned to the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade , XI Corps . On 8 February 1943 it was redesignated as HHB , 119th Field Artillery Group . The regiment ' s former 1st and 2nd Battalions were redesignated as the 978th and 979th Field Artillery Battalions ( 155mm Trac - D ) , respectively . The 119th moved to Camp Young , California on 23 August 1943 and staged at Camp Myles Standish , Massachusetts , on 5 February 1944 until it departed the Boston Port of Embarkation on 27 February 1944 . It arrived in England on 8 March 1944 and landed in France on 26 June 1944 . The 119th crossed into Belgium on 8 September 1944 and into Holland on 13 September 1944 , then entered Germany on 14 October 1944 . By August 1945 the 119th was in Ostenburg , Germany . It returned to the United States , arriving at the Hampton Road ( Virginia ) Port of Embarkation on 16 November 1945 and was inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry , Virginia , on 16 November 1945 . The 119th ' s campaign credits include Normandy , Northern France , Rhineland , Ardennes - Alsace , and Central Europe . During its tour in Europe the 119th reportedly distinguished itself for having fired more rounds in combat than any other Allied artillery unit in either the European or Pacific Theaters . Also the 119th saw action in both World Wars in hand - to - hand combat , winning them a distinguished honor of being called " The finest infantry unit in the artillery " ! " Korean War Order of Battle : United States , United Nations , and Communist Ground , Naval , and Air Forces , 1950 – 1953 " by Gordon Rottman does not list the 978th or the 979th FA Battalions as having served in Korea , nor does it list the 119th FA as a regiment or group . Vietnam . During the Vietnam War , one team of forward observers went to Vietnam , serving with a Long Range Recon Patrol in the Mekong River area . In the United States , the 119th helped to respond to numerous natural disasters including the blizzards of 1968 and 1979 , and also to many civil emergencies such as riots and disturbances . 21st century . In 2001 , following the 11 September attacks by Al - Qaeda on the United States , the unit sent almost 100 troops to immediate service at the U . S . - Canadian border on the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit and Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron . Those units set new records for seizures of contraband and arrests of wanted criminals and terror suspects . In six months on the Ambassador Bridge , they seized in excess of 20 million dollars ( US ) in illegal narcotics and contraband , stopped a child slavery ring , arrested 46 fugitives , including three wanted by Interpol , and more . Soldiers also worked in numerous airports , facilities , and elsewhere during the crisis , ensuring the people of Michigan could sleep soundly at night . In 2003 , the unit dispatched over 150 soldiers to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base , Cuba , to serve as guards and security forces for the detainment facilities recently opened there . Again , in 2004 , another 150 soldiers deployed for service at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq , where they set a series of distinguishing records : Only the 1st Battalion , 119th Field Artillery is active today . Headquartered in Lansing , Michigan , it consists of three batteries and a support company : Battery A in Port Huron , Battery B in Alma , Battery C in Albion , and an FSC Company in Augusta . The 119th FA is accompanied by the 1st Battalion , 182nd Field Artillery ( HIMARS ) the only two field artillery units in Michigan . Both are members of the 197th Fires Brigade ( New Hampshire ) . In May 2010 the battalion fielded the advanced M777 howitzer ( 155 mm ) and Command Post of the Future ( CPOF ) system . In late 2010 the battalion deployed as part of the 197th Fires Brigade in support of Operation New Dawn .