7th Signal Troop
Encyclopedia
141st Signal Battalion ("The Communicators") is a United States battalion which deploys to install, operate and maintain C4I
systems in support of 1st Armored Division
operations, major subordinate commands and attached units as required.
, Kentucky
as the 7th Signal Troop (Mechanized). It was later redesignated the 47th Signal Company (Armored), and assigned to the 1st Armored Division
.
On 12 August 1941, the organization’s designation was changed to the 141st Armored Signal Company. Detachments of the 141st were in the initial assault waves on the beaches of North Africa as part of Operation TORCH
in 1942. The 141st supported the 1st Armored Division as it fought its way across the African coast, capturing Oran and cleaning out Tunisia. It was part of the division's spearhead in the battle of Kasserine Pass.
The official history of the United States Army in World War II says of the unit during this period, "This unit was undoubtedly one of the best signal outfits in the Army…. The service provided by this crack unit suggested how effective communications could be in the hands of experienced troops."
After the Africa Campaign, the 141st moved to Italy, landing at Salerno
. It fought as part of the 1st Armored Division at Anzio
, Rome and Naples
; participated in the campaign of the Italian Mountains, and was with the division when it captured Milan
.
The battalion colors carry campaign streamers from World War II for Tunisia
, Anzio
, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Po Valley
and North Apennines. After World War II, in February 1946, the 1st Armored Division and the 141st redeployed to Camp Kilmer
, New Jersey
, where it was inactivated on 26 April 1946.
During the Korean War, the unit was reactivated in March 1951 at Fort Hood, Texas but did not deploy. In February 1957, the 141st Signal Company was reorganized as a battalion but was shortly deactivated again in December 1957.
Its current active status dates from February 1960. In August 1971, the 141st Signal Battalion began deployment to Ansbach
, Germany where it began its current history as a forward-deployed European-based Battalion.
On 20 December 1990, the 141st Signal Battalion was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of DESERT SHIELD. The battalion provided front line communications to the 1st Armored Division in the fast moving VII Corps
campaign to destroy Iraqi forces during DESERT STORM and the liberation of Kuwait
. B Company was awarded the Valorous Unit Award
.
Upon redeployment from Southwest Asia, the colors of the 141st Signal Battalion relocated to Bad Kreuznach
, Germany where, on 26 November 1991, they replaced those of the 8th Signal Battalion.
In December 1995, advanced elements of the battalion deployed with the 1st Armored Division to Bosnia and Herzegovina
in support of Operation Joint Endeavor.
In September 1997, the battalion again deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) deployed in support of Operation Joint Guard. The Battalion returned to Bad Kreuznach in June 1998.
In June 2000, elements of the battalion deployed to Kosovo
to support the 1st Armored Division’s peace-keeping mission.
In May 2001, the battalion relocated its headquarters from Bad Kreuznach to its present location at Wiesbaden Army Airfield
.
In May 2003, the battalion was deployed as part of 1st AD to OIF 1.
On 1 May 2007 141 Signal Battalion was inactivated. Remnants of the 141st Signal Battalion became the 146th Signal Company under the Special Troops Battalion (STB) of the 1st Armored Division.
C4ISTAR
In military usage, a number of abbreviations in the format C followed by additional letters are used, based on expanded versions of the abbreviation C2 - command and control.C2I stands for command, control, and intelligence....
systems in support of 1st Armored Division
U.S. 1st Armored Division
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
operations, major subordinate commands and attached units as required.
History
The 141st Signal Battalion dates back to 1 June 1940, when it was activated at Fort KnoxFort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
as the 7th Signal Troop (Mechanized). It was later redesignated the 47th Signal Company (Armored), and assigned to the 1st Armored Division
U.S. 1st Armored Division
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
.
On 12 August 1941, the organization’s designation was changed to the 141st Armored Signal Company. Detachments of the 141st were in the initial assault waves on the beaches of North Africa as part of Operation TORCH
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
in 1942. The 141st supported the 1st Armored Division as it fought its way across the African coast, capturing Oran and cleaning out Tunisia. It was part of the division's spearhead in the battle of Kasserine Pass.
The official history of the United States Army in World War II says of the unit during this period, "This unit was undoubtedly one of the best signal outfits in the Army…. The service provided by this crack unit suggested how effective communications could be in the hands of experienced troops."
After the Africa Campaign, the 141st moved to Italy, landing at Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
. It fought as part of the 1st Armored Division at Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
, Rome and Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
; participated in the campaign of the Italian Mountains, and was with the division when it captured Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
.
The battalion colors carry campaign streamers from World War II for Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Po Valley
Po Valley
The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of the Po, or Padan Plain is a major geographical feature of Italy. It extends approximately in an east-west direction, with an area of 46,000 km² including its Venetic extension not actually related to the Po River basin; it runs from the Western Alps to the...
and North Apennines. After World War II, in February 1946, the 1st Armored Division and the 141st redeployed to Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, where it was inactivated on 26 April 1946.
During the Korean War, the unit was reactivated in March 1951 at Fort Hood, Texas but did not deploy. In February 1957, the 141st Signal Company was reorganized as a battalion but was shortly deactivated again in December 1957.
Its current active status dates from February 1960. In August 1971, the 141st Signal Battalion began deployment to Ansbach
Ansbach
Ansbach, originally Onolzbach, is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Ansbach is situated southwest of Nuremberg and north of Munich, on the Fränkische Rezat, a tributary of the Main river. As of 2004, its population was 40,723.Ansbach...
, Germany where it began its current history as a forward-deployed European-based Battalion.
On 20 December 1990, the 141st Signal Battalion was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of DESERT SHIELD. The battalion provided front line communications to the 1st Armored Division in the fast moving VII Corps
U.S. VII Corps
The VII Corps of the United States Army was one of the two principal corps of the army in Europe during the Cold War, along with V Corps. Activated in 1918, it was subordinate to the Seventh Army, or USAREUR, throughout most of its existence and based outside of Stuttgart, West Germany, until...
campaign to destroy Iraqi forces during DESERT STORM and the liberation of Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. B Company was awarded the Valorous Unit Award
Valorous Unit Award
The Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star...
.
Upon redeployment from Southwest Asia, the colors of the 141st Signal Battalion relocated to Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is the capital of the district of Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is located on the Nahe river, a tributary of the Rhine...
, Germany where, on 26 November 1991, they replaced those of the 8th Signal Battalion.
In December 1995, advanced elements of the battalion deployed with the 1st Armored Division to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
in support of Operation Joint Endeavor.
In September 1997, the battalion again deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) deployed in support of Operation Joint Guard. The Battalion returned to Bad Kreuznach in June 1998.
In June 2000, elements of the battalion deployed to Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
to support the 1st Armored Division’s peace-keeping mission.
In May 2001, the battalion relocated its headquarters from Bad Kreuznach to its present location at Wiesbaden Army Airfield
Wiesbaden Army Airfield
Wiesbaden Army Airfield or WAAF is located southeast of the city of Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. It was selected as the site for Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe on 28 September 1945, in large part due to its proximity to Frankfurt am Main, where the U.S. Seventh Army was...
.
In May 2003, the battalion was deployed as part of 1st AD to OIF 1.
On 1 May 2007 141 Signal Battalion was inactivated. Remnants of the 141st Signal Battalion became the 146th Signal Company under the Special Troops Battalion (STB) of the 1st Armored Division.
Lineage and Honors
- Constituted 1 June 1940 in the Regular Army as the 7th Signal Troop and activated at Fort KnoxFort KnoxFort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Kentucky - Reorganized and redesigned15 July 1940 as the 47th Signal Company and assigned to the U.S. 1st Armored DivisionU.S. 1st Armored DivisionThe 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
- Redesignated 7 August 1941 as the 141st Signal Armored Company
- Redesignated 1 January 1942 as the 141st Armored signal Company
- Inactived 26 April 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
- Activated 7 March 1951 at Fort Hood, Texas
- Reorganized and redesigned 15 February 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarter Company, 141 Signal Battalion (organic elements constituted 11 February 1957 and activated 15 February 1957 at Fort Polk, Louisiana)
- Inactivated 23 December 1957 at Fort Polk, Louisiana
- (Company A activated 24 September 1960 at Fort Hood, Texas)
- activated (less company A) 3 February 1962 at Fort Hood, Texas
World War II
- Algeria-French Morocco (with arrowhead)
- Tunisia
- Naples-Foggia
- Anzio
- Rome-Arno
- North Apennines
- Po Valley
Southwest Asia
- Defense of Saudi Arabia
- Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
- Cease-Fire
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations
- Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
(Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA - Company B additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit AwardValorous Unit AwardThe Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star...
, Streamer embroidered IRAQ-KUWAIT
- Valorous Unit Award