United States Army 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion (Fighting 83rd)

U. S. ARMY 83RD CHEMICAL MORTAR BATTALION (FIGHTING 83RD) -  The 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion played an important role in the campaigns through the Mediterranean Theater and the mainland of Europe, experiencing more than 500 hard and spectacular days in combat, beginning with the amphibious assault on Sicily and ending with the complete destruction of the German military forces.  The 83rd was activated at Camp Gordon, GA, on June 10, 1942, and after intensive training departed from the U.S. on April 29, 1943 for overseas duty.  

The 83rd took part in the Sicilian Campaign and remained in continuous combat during the invasion of the Italian mainland and the crossing of the Volturno; followed by the battle for the approaches to San Pietro and Cassino and the Anzio beachhead, with the subsequent fall of Rome.  The Battalion took part in the amphibious and air assault of the Southern France campaign; and in the historic battle of the Vosges, when the enemy tried his last main efforts in the Colmar pocket and Alsace, the 83rd was in the center of action; then, the unit played an important part in the final assault of Germany.

The end of the war in the European Theatre brought to a close a brilliant combat record.  The unit had served 508 days in combat. The Battalion has participated in the initial assaults of 5 amphibious operations and one airborne operation and has fought in six campaigns.  As one of the old combat units in the war in Europe, the 83rd fought through hot, malaria-infested Sicily, through the heart-breaking fighting on the forgotten mountains of Italy. The Battalion went through Anzio, then there were the cold dismal days in the Vosges, this was followed by the difficult combat in the Colmar and Hagenau sector which represented the final serious struggle of the enemy.  Finally, the Battalion drove through the Siegfried line, crossed the Rhine, and took part in the complete destruction of the enemy forces. The Battalion ended its combat by making contact with the Fifth Army at Brenner Pass.

During the months of combat, the Battalion expended just short of one half million rounds of ammunition, almost 5,000 Italians and Germans had been captured and 230 allied prisoners were liberated by the men of the 83rd.  For distinguished service, the following awards have been given:

3 Distinguished Service Crosses (Posthumous)
2 Legions of Merit
39 Silver Stars
9 Soldiers Medals
97 Bronze Stars
5 Croix de Guerre
876 Purple Hearts
91 Oak leaf Clusters