UNITED STATES ARMY

3rd INFANTRY DIVISION ARTILLERY Cold War Organization  •  1959

In 1959 the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY) consisted of six battalions: two equipped with six 105mm M52 and six 155mm M44 self-propelled howitzers each, three equipped with six 105mm and six 155mm towed howitzers each, and one composite howitzer/rocket battalion with four 8-in M55 self-propelled howitzers and two Honest John rocket launchers (M50 rocket and M289 launch vehicle). The 8-in howitzers were nuclear capable; the Honest John rocket could be armed with either a high-explosive or a tactical nuclear warhead. Each 105mm/155mm battalion was in direct support of one of the division's five infantry battle groups; the composite howitzer/rocket battalion provided general support and reinforcing fires. In 1959 the Artillery branch included both field artillery and antiaircraft artillery, and the branch insignia used for battery guidons was the crossed cannons and rocket design now used by the Air Defense Artillery branch. The regimental designation was simply Artillery (e.g. 3rd Artillery Regiment), type designators (e.g. Rocket/Howitzer) being added to battalion titles.