The first day of March is the anniversary date of the activation of the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, which was originally designated the 304th Military Government Group when it was constituted in the Organized Reserves (redesignated as the Army Reserve on 9 July 1952) on 18 February 1949. Over the next few decade, the unit would undergo a couple of redesignations, first to 304th Civil Affairs and Military Government Group (1956), then 304th Civil Affairs Group (1959).
It was while serving in the latter designation that it was ordered into active military service in December 1990 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After taking part in both operations and earning two Southwest Asia campaign streamers (Liberation and Defense of Kuwait and Cease-Fire), it was released from active military service and placed in Reserve status again. The following year, the unit was designated 304th Civil Affairs Brigade on 16 September 1992.
The Brigade would be called into Federal service twice during the War on Terrorism, first in support of the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and again in 2008 as a follow-up to the success the previous year’s surge in America troops. For its first tour, the Brigade was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) and a Meritorious Unit Commendation; it was honored with its second MUC following the completion of the 2008 – 2009 tour, a testament to its success in attempting to "Sustain The Peace" (the unit motto).
Related Items
304th Civil Affairs Brigade Patch (SSI)
304th Civil Affairs Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)