Reactivated in 1940, the brigade was formed with a 155mm gun regiment and two 155mm howitzer regiments. Between June and August 1941, the brigade formed a provisional 72nd Antitank Battalion using assets from the antitank batteries and platoons of the regiments. Activated 5 August 1941, the battalion participated in the Second Army Maneuvers along with 2nd Battalion, 119th Field Artillery, as part of VII Army Corps.
Cold War
From 1 June 1958 until 15 May 1992, the brigade served as part of VII Corps Artillery in Germany.
The brigade was reactivated on 1 December 2006 by reflagging the 5th Brigade, 78th Division. As an AC/RC unit subordinate to First Army Division East, the brigade plans, coordinates, and enables post-mobilization, pre-deployment training in support of specified U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard units. On order, 72nd Field Artillery Brigade provides pre-mobilization training assistance within its capabilities for Army Reserve and Army National Guard units.
Lineage & honors
Lineage
Constituted 24 October 1917 in the National Army as the 349th Field Artillery and assigned to the 92d Division
Description/Blazon: Centered on a red rectangular device arched at the top and bottom and edged with a 1/8 inch yellow border, the overall dimensions 2 inches in width and 3 inches in height, a black disc within a yellow ring surmounted above and below by two yellow pheons with white shafts, the topmost pointed to upper right, the lower one pointed to lower left. Symbolism: Scarlet and yellow are the colors associated with Field Artillery. The cannonball or black disc centered on the yellow one connotes accuracy of fire. The pheons are symbolic of fire power and their configuration with the yellow disc forms an allusion to the unit's numerical designation, 72. Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved effective 16 September 1980.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description/Blazon: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in width overall consisting of two gold ramrods in saltire between three black gunstones and red flames in front of a vertical gold cannon barrel, all above a gold scroll bearing the inscription "ON TIME ON TARGET" in black letters. Symbolism: Scarlet is the color used for Field Artillery. The cannon and ramrods symbolize the basic mission of Field Artillery. The three gunstones and flames allude to the organization's three battle honors earned during World War I and World War II in Lorraine, Rhineland and Central Europe. Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 72d Artillery Group on 16 August 1968. It was redesignated for the 72d Field Artillery Group on 7 April 1972. The insignia was redesignated effective 16 September 1980 for the 72d Field Artillery Brigade.
