116th Field Artillery Regiment

The 116th Field Artillery has had a singular history in the period covered since the date of its organization in Florida. Perhaps no regiment of the Florida National Guard within the United States has had such dramatic calls upon its services. Woven into the pattern of everyday life, the work of the peacetime soldier calls forth little notice from the general public. However, when disaster threatens the structure of the commonwealth, either man-made, or by the hand of Providence, the National Guard steps promptly into the breach, and, with a steady hand firmly applied, brings aid and comfort to the stricken and punishment to the law breaker.

— From the official regimental history, compiled by Lieutenant Colonel George E. Grace, Florida Army National Guard

The regiment was originally organized as the 1st Florida Infantry during the Spanish–American War in 1898. During the First World War at Camp Wheeler, Georgia from 1 October 1917 through 1 November 1917, the 1st Florida Infantry was combined with other units from Alabama and Georgia to create the 116th Field Artillery, part of the 31st ("Dixie") Division. It consisted of the battalion headquarters and Batteries B and C from the 1st Battalion, Georgia Field Artillery, 4 officers and 99 men from the 1st Florida Infantry Regiment, Troops A, D, G, H, I, and the Supply Troop from the 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, and the Band from the 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment. Although transported overseas, it saw no combat action and was mustered out of federal service on January 16, 1919.

On December 5, 1921 Sumter de Leon Lowry Jr., of Tampa, Florida, upon commission issued by the Adjutant General of the State of Florida, presented for federal recognition three batteries to constitute units of a regiment to be known as the 116th Field Artillery. Thus, on December 5, 1921, three firing batteries, A, B, and C, formed the basis of the First Battalion, 116th Field Artillery, Major Sumter L. Lowry Jr. commanding. The battalion was inspected and mustered into service by then-Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Collins, Adjutant General of Florida. Completion of the First Battalion was effected on February 15, 1922, with the establishment of the Headquarters Battery and Combat Train. In 1922, the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County furnished land and funds for the construction of stables, gunsheds, and armory buildings.

An expansive movement was made for the establishment of a full regiment by the founding of the Second Battalion. Firing batteries D, E, and F were located at Lakeland, Plant City, and Arcadia, with the Headquarters Battery and Combat Train of the Second Battalion in Bartow. The Second Battalion participated in the summer encampment in 1923, and was federally recognized as a unit on August 23, 1923, with Major Fred Hampton commanding. The regiment received federal recognition at Tampa on January 20, 1924.

Ultimately, the subordinate units of the 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery were re-designated and relocated in some cases in different cities: HQ Battery – Lakeland. Battery A – Bartow. Battery B – Dade City. Battery C – Ocala. Service Battery – Haines City.

On July 16, 1933, the regiment was converted from horse-drawn to truck-drawn.[2]

The regiment performed hurricane relief duties at Tampa and Moore Haven, Florida, from 16 September to 7 November 1926. The regiment, less two batteries, was used for riot control duties in connection with the protection of prisoners at the Hillsborough County Jail in Tampa, from 31 May to 6 June 1927. The entire regiment was used for duties associated with the Mediterranean Fruit Fly quarantine in July 1929. The 2nd Battalion performed hurricane relief duties at Palm Beach and Okeechobee from 17 September to 4 November 1928. The entire regiment was used for riot control duties in connection with elections in Tampa in September 1935. Several batteries were used for guard duties in connection with the visit of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Winter Park, Florida, on 31 March 1936.[2]

The 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery has seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan and served in Homestead, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.

• 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat team
• 31st Infantry Division
• Florida Army National Guard

• Hawk, Robert. Florida's Army: Militia/State Troops?National Guard 1565–1985. Englewood, FL. Pineapple Press, Inc. 1986.