The 21st Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1916. A parent regiment under the U.S. Army Regimental System, all components of the regiment are currently inactive. The 1st Battalion 21st Field Artillery Regiment (United States), the regiment's final active component, deactivated on June 12, 2014. During World War I, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment was deployed to Europe, where it played a critical role in supporting American troops during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the final Allied offensive of the war. The regiment's service during this campaign earned it the French Croix de Guerre and the World War I Victory Medal. In the interwar period, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment was reorganized several times and served as both a National Guard and Regular Army unit. During World War II, the regiment was again deployed to Europe, where it provided artillery support for Allied troops during the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of Paris. After the war, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation force. In the years that followed, the regiment was reorganized several more times and served in various locations around the world, including Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. In the 21st century, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment has continued to serve as a critical component of the U.S. Army's artillery capabilities. The regiment has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively, and has also conducted training and exercises in locations around the world. Today, the 21st Field Artillery Regiment is based at Fort Hood, Texas, and is equipped with the M109A6 Paladin howitzer. The regiment is currently assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, which is part of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division.