56th Field Artillery Command The 56th Field Artillery Command was a brigade size element of the United States Army . The unit was constituted in 1942 with the last period of active service being 1970 through 1991 . It was the only unit to field the nuclear Pershing missile system . This unique mission required an almost " Super Brigade " status which the Army accommodated in several regards . Their inactivation in June 1991 was in some measure a consequence of their own success . The culmination of their duties was to act , as directed , in accordance with the INF Treaty , as the United States eliminated her intermediate range nuclear forces . The Command also provided some personnel to participate in supervising the Soviets as they upheld their agreements as well . Fifteen systems were exempted by the INF Treaty , made inoperable , and authorized for historical reference , such as a museum display . The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution exhibits such a display , for example . Basic organization . The 56th Field Artillery Command was organized to always report directly to the highest commander in Europe at the time . Therefore during peacetime , they reported to the United States Army , Europe , whereas , during heightened tension or war , command passed to NATO , with Allied Air Forces Central Europe as the next higher headquarters . Additionally , command levels for the field artillery batteries were increased by one grade over similar units . Platoon s were commanded by a captain , and batteries by a major . Battalion s continued to follow a lieutenant colonel while the command itself was led by a brigadier general and later a major general . These actions were meant to mitigate the increased responsibilities inherent with the mission they bore . Heraldry . Shoulder sleeve insignia . The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized for wear by all subordinate units . It is shown atop the info box and described below . The version shown is in color and for wear with the formal uniform . The utility version , for normal wear , is olive drab green and black with the same descriptive dimensions . Description : On a disc in diameter , with a white border a scarlet disc centered on a blue background and surmounted at center by a vertical black missile silhouette outlined in white and issuing to base a white - edged scarlet flame and white smoke cloud , the missile flanked by two diagonal yellow lightning flashes issuing from either side of the nose cone . Attached immediately above the disc , an arc tab in length and in height consisting of a dark green background inscribed " Pershing " in scarlet letters in height , with a scarlet border . Symbolism : Scarlet and gold ( yellow ) are the colors used for field artillery ; blue denotes the assigned infantry support . The destructive power and target capability of the Pershing missile are suggested by the red disc at center and the upright missile signifies the readiness of the unit . The lightning flashes refer to the ability of the missile team to act and strike quickly in event of need . Background : The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 56th Artillery Brigade on 9 June 1971 The Pershing tab was authorized for wear effective 18 September 1970 . It was redesignated for the 56th Field Artillery Brigade on 7 April 1972 . The insignia was redesignated effective 17 January 1986 for the 56th Field Artillery Command . Previous insignia : From 1963 to 1970 , the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia was the triangular emblem of the 7th Army . From 1970 to 1971 , the Pershing tab was worn with the 7th Army insignia ; the U . S . Army Institute of Heraldry , however , notes the tab was only authorized for wear with the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 56th . Distinctive unit insignia . The distinctive unit insignia was authorized only for headquarters elements . Description : A gold color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of a scarlet background with a trilobated cloud at the top bearing two black crossed cannons behind a white domed tower with black archway , ( as depicted on the coat of arms of the city of Antwerp , Belgium ) on a green base , surmounted overall by a vertical gold Pershing missile ; all above a semi - circular gold scroll inscribed " Quick Reliable Accurate " in black letters . Symbolism : Scarlet and yellow ( gold ) are the colors used for Field Artillery . The trilobated cloud symbolizes the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery , 56th Field Artillery Brigade ' s Northern France , Central Europe and Rhineland Campaigns during World War II . The crossed cannons with the Antwerp Tower allude to the Headquarters Battery ' s two Belgian Army Order of the Day Citations , the Belgian Fourragere for action at Antwerp and the Defense of Antwerp Harbor . Red and green are the colors of the Belgian Fourragere . The Pershing missile alludes to the unique mission of the unit as a participant in the Army ' s first nuclear strike force with missiles on constant alert ( QRA ) . Background : The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 56th Field Artillery Brigade on 11 April 1972 . It was redesignated effective 17 January 1986 for the 56th Field Artillery Command . Note : The older DUI was worn from 1967 to 1972 . History . 1942 – 1945 . The 56th Coast Artillery Brigade was constituted on the Inactive list , 14 September 1942 . It was activated at Camp Stewart , Georgia on 10 April 1943 and was redesignated the 56th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade on 28 May 1943 . During World War II , Headquarters Battery ( HHB ) saw action in Belgium and received two Belgian Fourrageres for action at Antwerp and was cited for the defense of Antwerp Harbor . HHB is entitled to permanently display the Belgian Fourragere from the spearhead of its guidon . In 1945 , the unit was inactivated at Camp Shanks , NY . 1951 – 1964 . In 1951 , the 56th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade was reactivated at Camp Edwards , Mass and assigned to the First Army of the US Army . On 5 November 1951 The 56th AAA Brigade transferred from Camp Edwards to Fort Devens , Mass and was assigned to the Eastern Army Antiaircraft Command . They were then transferred to Fort Totten , NY on 24 January 1953 . The unit transferred back to Fort Devens on 15 July 1956 . They were redesignated as the 56th Artillery Brigade on 20 March 1958 The 56th Artillery Brigade was inactivated on 24 December 1964 . Pershing . Pershing is the parenthetical identification which describes the mission of this command . The Pershing mission has roots to World War II and the successful firing of the V - 2 rocket by the Nazis . Operation Paperclip was implemented to recruit German scientist involved with the V - 2 , and procure all possible material and parts to this rocket system . The operation coupled at least 130 German scientists with some 500 US personnel at Fort Bliss , Texas . The recovered V - 2 parts and the integrated efforts of the people produced at least 80 V - 2 rockets which were complete and capable to fire . The requirements to further test these 80 , as well as develop the concept of rocketry in general , prompted the project and personnel to relocate to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama . From Huntsville , the project was to develop America ' s missile program , and their answer was the Redstone missile . This namesake missile was deployed to the US Army in June 1958 . The need to develop , and prepar to replace the Redstone , as it aged toward obsolescence , was also considered . The Pershing was to be this replacement and its development began conceptually in 1957 , even before the Redstone was delivered . The first Pershing missile , affectionately known as " Land Train " , was delivered in March 1963 to 2nd Bn , 44th Field Artillery , activated at Fort Sill , Oklahoma . This battalion was later redesignated the 1st Bn , 41st FA , and then 4th Bn , 41st FA . In April 1963 , the 56th Artillery Group was reactivated at Hardt Kaserne , Schwäbisch Gmünd , West Germany . The 4th Bn , 41st FA was assigned to the 7th Army in Germany and moved its headquarters to Hardt Kaserne . They were the first of three tactical nuclear battalions to fall under the 56th Field Artillery Group in command structure . The 56th FA Group was also headquartered in Schwäbisch Gmünd at Bismarck Kaserne . The next tactical battalion grouped was the 1st Bn , 81st FA , the garrison for which was moved in October , 1963 from Mainz to Neu Ulm , both in West Germany . The third tactical battalion was deployed in May 1965 as the 3rd Bn , 84th FA to a headquarters in Neckarsulm , West Germany . In 1965 the 56th Artillery Group assumed the critical role of a Quick Reaction Alert ( QRA ) force and was required to maintain a portion of each unit at the highest level of combat readiness . These portions were to react within seconds of verified orders , and the entire command was to be fully operational within 2 hours of any alert activation . The increased requirements of the QRA mission , necessitated some modifications to upgrade the Pershing missile system and at the same time caused the Army to increase the number of launchers at each battalion from four to 36 . In 1968 the brigade created the Pershing Professionals Badge to recognize proficiency on the Pershing missile system . It was awarded through 1979 . In September 1970 , the 56th Artillery Group was reformed as the 56th Field Artillery Brigade . The newly designated brigade was to command 1st Bn , 41st FA , 1st Bn , 81st FA , and 3rd Bn , 84th FA as Pershing firing battalions . Also subordinate to the Brigade was the 2nd Battalion , 4th Infantry Regiment , tasked to provide defensive support to the firing units according to their security needs . A host of additional units provided support from medical to logistical , ensuring the brigade ' s ability to operate . In 1974 a new terminal guidance system was in development for the Pershing missile . This system would be developed and test fired 5 times by 1977 . This was to become the Pershing II missile system . The Soviet Union had developed the SS - 20 nuclear missile by this time . The SS - 20 was an ambitious program which would required enormous capital investment by the Soviets . Their efforts to regain dominance within the region seemed attainable as they knew their SS - 20 would counter the Pershing threat . The Pershing II was a military secret , well kept , and this allowed the Soviets to squander vast resources in their hurried efforts to field a system which was in effect , already obsolete . In 1978 the NATO Commander requested the United States to take action and deploy assets necessary to counter the threat posed by the SS - 20 . This request was not immediately addressed , as the American government wanted the Soviets to expend the maximum amount possible on the SS - 20 . In 1982 , the 55th Maintenance Battalion was activated as part of the 56th Field Artillery Brigade . The 579th Ordnance Company , 3rd Ordnance Battalion , 59th Ordnance Brigade was inactivated and reformed as Headquarters Company and as the D Company general support unit . The three service batteries in the field artillery battalions were inactivated and reformed as forward service companies under the 55th Maintenance Battalion . In November 1983 , with the Soviets fully invested in the SS - 20 , and on the verge of bankruptcy , the Americans began fielding the Pershing II . By 1985 all three firing battalions were completely operational with Pershing II and the Soviet Union faced a threat they were financially unwilling to counter . On 11 January 1985 three soldiers , SSG John Leach , SGT Todd A . Zephier , and PFC Darryl L . Shirley of Battery C , 3rd Battalion , 84th Field Artillery were killed in an explosion at Camp Redleg , Heilbronn . The explosion occurred while removing a missile stage from the storage container during an assembly operation . An investigation revealed that the Kevlar rocket bottle had accumulated a triboelectric charge in the cold dry weather ; as the engine was removed from the container the electrical charge began to flow and created a hot spot that ignited the propellant . A moratorium on missile movement was enacted through late 1986 when new grounding and handling procedures were put into place . In January 1986 , there was a major reorganization of the tactical units in Germany . The 56th Field Artillery Brigade was redesignated as the 56th Field Artillery Command and was authorized a major general as commander . 1st Battalion , 81st Field Artillery was inactivated and reformed as 1st Battalion , 9th Field Artillery in Neu - Ulm , 1st Battalion , 41st Field Artillery was inactivated and reformed as 2nd Battalion , 9th Field Artillery in Schwäbisch Gmünd and 3rd Battalion , 84th Field Artillery was inactivated and reformed as 4th Battalion , 9th Field Artillery in Heilbronn . With 3rd Battalion , 9th Field Artillery at Fort Sill , all of the firing units were then under the 9th Field Artillery Regiment . The 55th Maintenance Battalion was redesignated as 55th Support Battalion and E Company was reformed as the 193rd Aviation Company . The communications assets , which were listed in the Table of Organization and Equipment ( TO & E ) at each battery , were removed and reconsolidated into the 38th Signal Battalion . The Superior Unit Award was presented to the 56th Field Artillery Command and its subordinate units for service during the Pershing II fielding , 1 November 1983 through 31 December 1986 . The Intermediate - Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was ratified on 27 May 1988 . The firing batteries began to draw down their equipment as the missile launchers were destroyed . The Pershing first and second stage motors , reentry vehicles , warhead and radar section airframes were returned to Pueblo Depot Activity for elimination . On 30 June 1991 , the 56th FA was inactivated , and the final entry for this Commands history shows them as " DISCONTINUED " on 30 September 1991 . This entry on the units history card shows the essence of a well known metonymic adage , " The pen is mightier than the sword " .