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History of the 29th Brigade Support Battalion

January 29, 2025
Categories: 
HING History, Units

The 29th Support Battalion’s roots originated as the 1st Regiment of the Hawaii Army National Guard when the unit was formed on January 27, 1893. The unit reorganized to form the 1st Infantry on June 1, 1907. On June 1, 1918, the unit served on federal active duty as the 1st Hawaiian Infantry, and demobilized on August 2, 1919 at Fort Shafter, Territory of Hawaii. The unit was then reconstituted on October 1, 1919 into the Hawaii National Guard, and was consolidated concurrently with the 5th Hawaiian Infantry. On August 17, 1923, the unit reorganized as the 298th Infantry, and the Headquarters was federally recognized on June 26, 1924 in Honolulu. The unit was again inducted into federal service on October 15, 1940 in Honolulu, and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division on October 1, 1941 through July 22, 1942. The unit was then assigned and served with the 24th Infantry Division during the period of July 23, 1942 through June 12, 1943. This regiment went through numerous reorganizations that began in 1945 through 1957, and was later organized as the 298th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion.

On February 15, 1959, the unit reorganized as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 299th Infantry, an element of the 29th Infantry Brigade; and in 1963 it was again reorganized as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry. In 1965, this combat unit converted into a combat service support organization and was renamed as the 29th Support Battalion. This battalion was ordered into federal active service with the 29th Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam conflict from May 13, 1968 to December 12, 1969; which adds to its earlier participation in the Pacific Campaign during World War II. The 29th Support Battalion comprises of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Company A (Supply & Transportation), Company B (Maintenance) and Company C (Medical).

The 29th Support Battalion was again ordered to active federal service on August 16, 2004, and deployed with the 29th Infantry Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit received augmentees from the Individual Ready Reserve, other States National Guard units as well as Soldiers from the Guam Army National Guard. Fully trained and mission ready, the unit deployed to Iraq on January 25, 2005.

The 29th Support Battalion was assigned to Logistic Support Area Anaconda, Balad, Iraq and executed defensive and support operations as well as providing Combat Service Support to the 29th Infantry Brigade maneuver elements. After serving in country for a year and completing a successful mission the unit redeployed on January 9, 2006 to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. On March 13, 2006, the 29th Support Battalion was demobilized and returned from active-duty status.

On September 1, 2006, the 29th Support Battalion transformed into the 29th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) which is comprised of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Company A (Distribution), Company B (Maintenance), Company C (Medical).

On October 18, 2007, the 29th BSB was placed on alert status pending their third deployment. The Battalion deployed once again on August 19, 2008 – August 12, 2009. The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29th Brigade Support Battalion was assigned to the Life Support Area (LSA), Ali Al Salem Air Base and performed duties as the LSA Command Cell managing the LSA Camp’s Force Protection, Service Contract Officer Representatives, Facility Engineering projects for base improvements, Environmental Compliance Program, Sexual Assault / Awareness and Prevention, Safety, and other basic life support functions including water production and delivery, permanent party billeting, and MWR Programs. Company A, 29th Brigade Support Battalion was attached to the 1-487th Field Artillery Battalion in support of Security Force missions near the Sea Port of Debarkation, Kuwait, and Soldiers from Company B and Company C, 29th Brigade Support Battalion were attached to the 1-299th Calvary Squadron and performed multiple convoy security missions into Iraq. 

The 29th Support Battalion transformed into the 29th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) which is comprised of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Company A (Distribution), Company B (Maintenance), Company C (Medical), Company D, Forward Support Company (FSC) attached to 1-299th Cavalry (located on the island of Hawaii), Company E (FSC) attached to 227th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Company F (FSC) attached to 1-487th Field Artillery Regiment, Company G (FSC) attached to 1-158th Infantry Battalion (Arizona), Company H (FSC) attached to 1-294th Infantry Battalion (Guam) and Company J (FSC) attached to 1-297th Infantry Battalion (Alaska).

Unit Insignia

29th Brigade Support Battalion logo

Description/Blazon

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall blazoned: Per pale Azure and Gules, issuant from a base wavy three chevronels interlaced and braced with two Oceanic war spears in saltire Or, in chief a roundel barry wavy of six Argent and Vert. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed “SERVICE ALL WAYS” in Black letters.

Symbolism

The Battalion’s Central Pacific World War II campaign participation honor is commemorated by the disc with wavy bars between Oceanic war spears. The blue background area indicates the organization’s Infantry origin and service. The scarlet area refers to Support. The interlaced narrow chevrons depict the coordination and control provided by the unit’s brigade support mission. Additionally, the peaked chevrons rising from a wavy base denote the mountainous Hawaiian Islands and together with the multi-barbed spear, which alludes to King Kamehameha I, refer to the unit’s organization and location in Honolulu, Oahu.

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 29th Support Battalion, Hawaii Army National Guard on 17 July 1967. It was redesignated for the 159th Service Battalion, Hawaii Army National Guard on 27 April 1973. It was redesignated for the 159th Maintenance Battalion, Hawaii Army National Guard with the description and symbolism amended on 31 May 1985. The insignia was redesignated for the 29th Support Battalion with description revised on 2 November 1987.

Lineage and Honors

  • Parent unit constituted and partially organized 27 January 1893 in the National Guard of Hawaii as the 1st Regiment
  • Organization of the 1st Regiment canpleted during 1893-1895, with Headquarters at Honolulu, Oahu
  • Redesignated 1 June 1907 as the 1st Infantry
  • Drafted into Federal service 1 June 1918; concurrently, redesignated as the 1st Hawaiian Infantry Regiment
  • Demobilized 7 July – 2 August 1919 at Fort Shafter, oahu
  • Reconstituted 1 October 1919 in the National Guard of Hawaii and consolidated with the 5th Hawaiian Infantry Regiment (partially organized in the fall of 1918 as a Home Guard regiment); consolidated unit designated as the 1st Infantry
  • Redesignated 17 August 1923 as the 298th Infantry
  • (Headquarters, 298th Infantry organized and Federally recognized 26 June 1924 at Honolulu, Oahu)
  • Inducted into Federal service 15 October 1940 at Honolulu, Oahu
  • Assigned to the 25th Infantry Division 1 October 1941
  • Relieved from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division 23 July 1942 and assigned to the 24th Infantry Division
  • Relieved from assignment to the 24th Infantry Division 12 June 1943
  • Regiment (less 1st Battalion) inactivated 10 April 1945 in Hawaii; 1st Battalion inactivated 22 January 1946 in Hawaii
  • Reorganized and Federally recognized 14 October 1946, with Headquarters at Honolulu, Oahu
  • Regiment broken up 1 November 1956 – 8 January 1957 and Elements converted, reorganized, and redesignated as follows:
    • Heavy Mortar Company, Medical Company, and Companies B, D, G, and L as the 298th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
    • (Headquarters Company as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 298th Antiaircraft Artillery Group; 1st Battalion/ Less Companies B and D as the 227th Engineer Battalion / Less Company B; Regimental Headquarters, 2nd Battalion / less Company G, and Tank Company as the 297th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion; 3rd Battalion / less Company L / as the 2nd Battalion / less Company G/ 299th Infantry; Service Company as the 368th Antiaircraft Artillery Detachment; Separate lineages)
  • 298th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion converted, reorganized, and redesignated 15 February 1959 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 299th Infantry
  • Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 299th Infantry
  • Reorganized and redesigned 15 November 1965 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 29th Support Battalion; concurrently, organic elements organized at Honolulu, Oahu, as follows:
    • Company A (Administration) new
    • Company B (Medical) new
    • Company C (Supply and Transport) formerly, 120th Military Police Company (organized 8 January 1951)
    • Company D (Maintenance) formerly, 613th Ordnance Company (organized 30 September 1946)

HOME STATION: Honolulu, Oahu

CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT

  • World War II
    • Central Pacific

DECORATIONS

  • None

last updated March 1988