Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith | The Pennsylvania Army National Guard held a ceremony at the Kingston Armory in...... read more read more
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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Soldiers, veterans and Pennsylvania National Guard leaders observed the deactivation of 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery Regiment, and the activation of 28th Division Artillery during a ceremony here, Sept. 14, 2025.
This ceremony was held to honor the storied history of the 1-109th FA, who also has a long history with its armory, which has been a hub of numerous community events in Wilkes-Barre. The ceremony then recognized the new activation of the 28th Division Artillery that will take over the armory.
Brig. Gen. Jeffery Heasley, deputy commander-support for the 28th Infantry Division, was the presiding officer for the 28th ID.
Maj. Gen. John Pippy, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, attended and spoke about giving great respect to the long history of the 1-109th FA and welcoming the new 28th Division Artillery.
Lt. Col. Scott D. Brunnenmeyer, commander of the 1-109th FA, conducted the casing of the colors along with Command Sergeant Major Charles E. Boyer. Casing the colors, or the unit flag, is a symbolic gesture that signifies the inactivation of the unit.
The ceremony then moved into recognition of the 28th Division Artillery, who will carry the lineage and honors of the 109th Field Artillery.
Col. Ellis S. Stokes took command of the 28th Division Artillery, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Poloka as the senior enlisted advisor.
The lineage and history of the 1-109th FA is long-standing. Known as the "Wyoming Valley Guards," they boast a lineage that stretches back to the earliest days of American independence. Its origins can be traced to Oct. 17, 1775, when it was constituted as the 24th Regiment in the Connecticut Militia, operating within the Wyoming Valley region, a territory then claimed by Connecticut. This makes the 1-109th FA one of the oldest military units in the U.S. Army.
Over its formative years, the unit transitioned between infantry and artillery roles, adapting to the evolving needs of the fledgling nation and later, the growing Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which eventually gained control of the Wyoming Valley. This early period saw the unit participate in crucial Revolutionary War campaigns such as Brandywine and Germantown, enduring the hardships that forged the Continental Army.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the 109th FA and its predecessor units continued to answer the call to arms for various conflicts. They played a role in the Mexican War and, most notably, distinguished themselves in the brutal campaigns of the American Civil War, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Wilderness.
In 1917, as the United States entered World War I, the unit was officially designated the 109th Field Artillery Regiment. As part of the famed 28th Infantry Division, the "Iron Division," they deployed to France and saw heavy combat, contributing significantly to major offensives like Oise-Aisne, Ypres-Lys and the Meuse-Argonne. Their steadfastness in the face of fierce German attacks earned them a reputation for resilience and courage.
The regiment's legacy of valor continued into World War II, where they once again deployed to Europe with the 28th Infantry Division. They participated in critical campaigns, including the Normandy landings, the liberation of Northern France, the grueling fighting in the Rhineland and, perhaps most famously, their heroic stand during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes-Alsace. Their actions in the Ardennes earned them the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation.
In the decades that followed, the 1-109th FA remained a vital component of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, adapting to modern artillery systems and continuing to train and deploy. More recently, elements of the unit have served in the War on Terrorism, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, showcasing their enduring commitment to national defense and global security.
The re-establishment of a dedicated division artillery command provides centralized control, planning and synchronization of all fire support assets within the 28th Infantry Division. This will ensure more agile, responsive and devastating artillery fires on any future battlefield.
The 28th Division Artillery command will be instrumental in integrating the efforts of their artillery battalions, ensuring they are trained, equipped and postured to deliver decisive effects wherever and whenever needed. This is a testament to the evolving needs of modern warfare and their commitment to providing Soldiers with the best possible support.
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 11:28 |
| Story ID: | 548920 |
| Location: | WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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