67th Signal Battalion

The mission of the 67th Signal Battalion is to, on order, deploy world-wide to IOM and protect a tactical communications network in support of the theater army commander. Establish three army area signal nodes; link subscribers via satellite, microwave radio, DGM equipment and provide tactical voice, data and message switching. Provide world-wide contingency communications support as required.

The 67th Signal Battalion was constituted 11 May 1942 in the regular Army and activated 01 May 1943 at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi. In February 1944, the battalion moved to the Louisiana Maneuver area where it supported the 97th Infantry Division during the three month long D-series exercises. On 26 October 1944 the battalion received orders to deploy to the European Theater. After short stays in France and England, the battalion moved to Hilden, Germany, and in April 1945 it was providing communications east and west of the Rhine River. During the Rhineland Campaign, the battalion supported the 17th Airborne Division and the 94th Infantry Division. During the Central European Campaign the battalion supported the 82nd, 101st, and 17th Airborne Division and the 94th Infantry Division.

In August 1945, the battalion moved from Germany to Manila where it was to support the 14th Corps in the Luzon area. The battalion remained in the Philippines until deactivation 05 April 1946. On 25 April 1967, the 67th Signal Battalion was reactivated at Fort Riley, Kansas. While at Fort Riley, the 67th supported ROTC training, REFORGER Operations, and furnished general post support. In December 1971, the battalion moved to Fort Gordon, Georgia. From December 1971 until the fall of 1987, the battalion supported the U.S. Army Signal Center with a range of activities, including field training for student officers and the testing of new communications systems.

In 1987, the battalion was equipped with the newly fielded Digital Group multiplex and TRI-TAC communications systems, and was called upon to deploy its new capabilities in support of large headquarters at major field training exercises from January 1989 until September 1990.On 22 September 1990, the battalion received alert notification for deployment to Southwest Asia. Upon arrival in the area of operations the battalion was placed under the operational control of the 11th Signal Brigade, which remained the parent unit of the battalion throughout Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.On 14 October 1994, the 67th Signal Battalion was officially assigned to the 11th Signal Brigade, and has remained stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Upon the re-activation of the 93rd Signal Brigade on 19 February 1998, the 67th Signal Battalion was reassigned to the 93rd Signal Brigade at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The 235th Signal Company (TACSATCOM) evolved over the years as the result of the Army's growing need for dependable tactical communications. When the call went out in 1965 for the development of tactical satellite communications, a small group was activated at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. From 1965 to 1971, this research and development group, know as EASTT, participated in many vital TACSAT tests, including the first airdrop of satellite equipment and using satellite communications to assist in the recovery of three Apollo missions. Due to the need for SATCOM commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, the 235th Signal Detachment (TACSATCOM) was activated on 1 December 1971, at NAS Lakehurst. In 1977, the unit moved to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey.

Since it's inception, the 235th has participated in a number of vital training and live missions. They have supported President Nixon during a diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia, the Azores, and Minsk, USSR from June 1974 - July 1974. In May of 1979, the Saudi Arabian government allied itself with South Yemen during the Yemen Civil War. When the Saudis requested assistance from the United States, the 235th was tasked to deploy and provide tactical satellite communications. This mission had hardly been completed when another call for help went out. This time from our long-time ally, the Shah of Iran. The 235th arrived in Tehran in October of 1979. When the government of Iran was overthrown in November, the soldiers of the 235th had to abandon their equipment to escape with their lives.

Back home once again, there was no time to rest. In 1980, yet another tasking came down to provide tactical satellite communications support to Southern Command in both Panama and the Republic of Honduras. By the time both missions were terminated, Panama in 1988 and Honduras in 1989, the 235th Signal Detachment had provided 24 hour communications with an efficiency rate of over 98%. A notable achievement considering that the tactical equipment was used continually for five years and seven months.

As TACSAT made its way into the Army inventory, the need for such a large unit decreased. On 10 October 1988, LTC John Simms passed the guidon to CPT Christopher Reordan, and the 235th Signal Company was born. The 235th Signal Company now has the role of Rapid Deployment Force, responding to FORSCOM, the National Command Authority, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Since 1988, the 235th Signal Company has deployed on several other missions, one being Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, in which the soldiers of the 235th Signal Company performed their mission gallantly. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the 235th provided reliable satellite communications to coalition forces which aided in victory over Saddam Hussein and his forces, thus restoring freedom to Kuwait. Since then, the 235th Signal Company has deployed personnel and equipment to the Southwest Asian region in support of Army Central Command.

The 235th has been involved with the Presidential Drug Interdiction Program, as well as several Joint Command exercises, the Hurricane Mitch relief effort in Central America, and most recently, JTF Fundamental Response (Venezuelan Flood Relief). The unit has supported many training exercises, some of which were conducted with the National Guard and Army Reserve, in such countries as Guatelmala and Belese. The 235th Signal Company is now located at Fort Gordon, Georgia and has joined the ranks of the 67th Signal Battalion which has a distinctive history of its own.

The 235th Signal Company (TACSATCOM) wears its history proudly. When the needs of our nation dictated the development and use of satellite communications, the 235th responded. Even when lives were in danger, the soldiers of the 235th gave 100%. They stood ready then, and stand ready now with a distinctive company motto of "ABOVE THE BEST, BEYOND THE REST."