LTC William S. Key, newly discharged from the US Army following World War I was appointed Captain of Field Artillery in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He was directed to organize a light artillery battery at Wewoka, Oklahoma. A 75mm battery was federally recognized as Battery A, 1st Oklahoma Field Artillery on July 28, 1920. Battery "A" became known as the "White Horse Battery" in recognition of the white horses used to tow the artillery pieces. On 18 July 1921, the 1st Oklahoma Field Artillery Regiment, consisting of a Regimental Headquarters and two firing battalions, incorporating the White Horse Battery and other subsequently established artillery units, was federally recognized. The 1st Oklahoma Field Artillery became the 160th Field Artillery Regiment in October 1921 with two battalions and would become one of the components of the 45th Infantry Division in 1923. The 160th Field Artillery Regiment was disbanded in 1940 when the division was "triangularized" and 1st Battalion became the 160th Field Artillery Battalion, while the 2nd Battalion was renamed the 171st Artillery Battalion. The 160th FA saw action in both World War II and Korea. Thirty-six of its soldiers were killed during the Second World War. During World War II the 160th FA normally operated in support of the 179th Infantry Regiment and would support the 279th Infantry during the Korean War.
Lineage & Honors
Lineage
Constituted in 1920 in the Oklahoma National Guard as the 1st Regiment of Oklahoma Field Artillery.
Redesignated 10 October 1921 as the 160th Field Artillery and assigned to the 45th Division.
Organized and Federally recognized 22 November 1921 with Headquarters at Tulsa.
Inducted into Federal service 16 September 1940 at home stations.
Regiment broken up 11 February 1942 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows:
Consolidated 19 September 1946 with Headquarters, 160th Field artillery, and consolidated unit reorganized and Federally recognized as the 160th Field Artillery Battalion with Headquarters at Tulsa.
Ordered into active Federal service 1 September 1950 at home stations.
Released 30 April 1954 from active Federal service and reverted to state control; Federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from the 160th Field Artillery Battalion.
Reorganized and redesignated 1 May 1959 as the 160th Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st and 2d Howitzer Battalions, elements of the 45th Infantry Division.
Reorganized 1 April 1963 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 45th Infantry Division.
Reorganized 1 February 1968 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 45th Infantry Brigade.
Description A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/8 inches in height overall consisting of the shield, crest and motto of the coat of arms. Symbolism The shield is scarlet and yellow for Artillery. The dividing line represents the Red River; the projectile in chief, the Artillery fire; and the bezant in base, the clean cut hits made by the 160th Field Artillery Regiment. Background The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 160th Field Artillery Regiment on 30 March 1927. It was redesignated for the 160th Field Artillery Battalion on 2 December 1942. It was redesignated for the 171st Field Artillery Battalion on 30 June 1955. The insignia was redesignated for the 160th Artillery Regiment on 18 October 1960. On 19 July 1972, the insignia was redesignated for the 160th Field Artillery Regiment.
