A Short History of the 82nd Signal Battalion

The 82nd Signal Battalion has a long and decorated history, beginning in 1917 as the 307th Field Signal Battalion. The unit saw its first combat during World War I in France, providing vital communications under heavy enemy fire in the Argonne Forest. The battalion was reconstituted in 1921 and later re-designated as the 82nd Airborne Signal Company at the start of World War II. During this conflict, they conducted combat jumps in Sicily, Normandy, and the Netherlands, maintaining communications despite suffering heavy casualties. Their distinguished service earned them several prestigious awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation.

Following WWII, the unit was reorganized into the 82nd Signal Battalion and continued to deploy in support of the 82nd Airborne Division. They participated in major operations in the Dominican Republic (Operation Power Pack), Vietnam, Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury), Panama (Operation Just Cause), and Saudi Arabia (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm). The battalion also underwent a significant modernization in the 1990s, fielding new equipment to maintain its readiness for rapid deployment.

In the final years of its active service, the battalion was heavily involved in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), with companies deploying to both Afghanistan and Iraq and earning numerous awards for their valor. The battalion was officially inactivated in 2006 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as part of a wider Army reorganization. The legacy of the 82nd Signal Battalion is honored by its members, both living and fallen, who served with distinction and dedication.

Teaser:

Dive into the proud history of the 82nd Signal Battalion, by using the link at the top of this page called the "larger article". Our history will take you from the trenches of World War I to the battlefields of the Global War on Terrorism. Discover the legacy of "The Commander's Voice" and honor the paratroopers who ensured communications in every major conflict.

History of the 82nd Signal Battalion- World War I, World War II, and The Berlin Occupation Duty, available on Amazon.com. Click on the image for the link.

WWI History

WWII History

Grenada

MSE Conversion

Panama

A tribute to our fallen

Lineage Documents

History and Lineage

A listing of our Commanders

1917-1918 Maj. John E. Hemphill, WWI (pictured in this background, center)

1918-1919 Maj. Kilberth D. Schaefer, WWI (Also pictured in this background, left)

1942-1944 Maj Frank W. (Bill) Moorman, WWII

Bill Moorman was appointed Division G-4 on the dropzone during D-Day. CPT Robert E. Furman was his immediate replacement as the Division Signal Officer.

1944-1945 CPT Robert E. Furman, WWII

1945- 1946 LTC Joseph Ahern, WWII

1957-1958 LTC Fred Hemmrich

1958-1959 LTC Arnold Rathlev

1959-1960 LTC John Hartline

1960-1961 LTC Newton McDowell

1961-1962 LTC John Pierce

1962-1964 LTC Robert Emrich

1964-1965 LTC Donald Martz, Dominican Republic

1965-1967 LTC Paul Gentry, Dominican Republic, Vietnam

1967-1967 MAJ Reginald Grier, Vietnam

1967-1969 LTC Harold Palmer, Vietnam

1969-1970 LTC William Clingempeel

1970-1972 LTC Harold Demick

1972-1974 LTC Bobby Gainey

1974-1975 LTC Robert Duncan

1975-1977 LTC Leo Childs

1977-1978 LTC George Atkins

1978-1980 LTC Clayton Vannes

1980-1983 LTC Robert Gray, Grenada

1983-1985 LTC Frank Stump, Grenada

1985-1988 LTC Ray Dolan

1988-1990 LTC John Woloski, Panama

1990-1991 LTC William Bell, Gulf War

1992-1994 LTC Harold (Rock) Schmidt

1994-1996 LTC James Van Patten

1996-1998 LTC Dennis Via

1998-2000 LTC Brian Donahue

2000-2002 LTC Campbell Cantelou

2002-2004 LTC Bruce Crawford

2004-2006 LTC Chris Miller

All Airborne Signal Historical Program