41st Fires Brigade (United States)

41st Fires Brigade
41st Fires Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1918–69; 1972–2005; 2007–2015
Country	USA
Branch	Army
Type	Artillery
Role	Fire support
Size	Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Fort Hood, TX, 2007-2015 Germany, 1972-2005
Nickname(s)	"Railgunners" (special designation)
Engagements	World War II Vietnam War Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm Kosovo Operation Iraqi Freedom
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The 41st Field Artillery Brigade ("Railgunners)" is a field artillery brigade of the United States Army. The brigade was active in 1918, from 1921-1931, 1942-1944, 1952-1969, 1972-2005 and 2007-2015. It has been stationed in Virginia; Hawaii; Fort Sill, OK; Germany; and Fort Hood, TX. It has served in World War II, Vietnam, Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm, Kosovo, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 41st Fires Brigade traces its lineage back to the 41st Artillery Regiment (Coast Artillery Corps), a static coastal artillery formation activated near the end of World War I.

The 41st Artillery was formed on 26 August 1918, at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Several months later the unit was demobilized. On 15 January 1921, the colors were transferred to the Pacific Theater, where the 41st Artillery was re-constituted as the Hawaiian Railway Battalion. On 1 July 1924, the unit was re-designated as the 41st Coast Artillery and remained in Hawaii until its deactivation on 30 June 1931.

On 21 April 1942, the 41st Coast Artillery was re-activated, this time at Fort Hase, Hawaii, where it served until 25 May 1944. It was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Streamer for its role in World War II. At that time, it was retired from the rolls of the regular Army and incorporated into the Hawaiian Department.

On 28 June 1950, Headquarters Battery, 41st Coast Artillery was reconstituted as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Field Artillery Group and was inactivated 18 January 1952 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In April 1967, the 41st Field Artillery Group deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, where it earned nine campaign streamers. On 15 November 1969, the Group was inactivated and its colors returned to the United States.