History of the 163rd Ordnance Company
This unit has a long and distinguished history of service and excellence in ammunition support during war and peace. The 163rd Ordnance Company was first activated on Aug 6, 1942 at Camp Edwards, MA, during the Second World War. The Unit was reorganized and redesignated May 25, 1943 as the 163rd Ordnance Maintenance Company, and contributed to the Allied vict
ory during World War II. On Mar 15, 1949 the unit was reactivated as the 163rd Ordnance Motor Vehicle Distributing Company, allotted to the Organized Reserve Corps, and assigned to the Sixth Army. The company was activated several times throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and was finally
redesignated Nov 24, 1967 as the 163rd Ordnance Company. On Jan 20, 1968, the unit was assigned to Santa Ana, CA, and has remained in Orange County, CA since. The 163rd Ordnance Company have served in many different countries across the globe. Peacetime missions include Germany, Korea, Egypt, Italy, and across the US. They have also served proudly in combat operations in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Syria, and Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and now Operation Spartan Shield. CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT
• Rhineland (WWII)
• Operation Iraqi Freedom (3 campaign stars)
• Operation Enduring Freedom (War on Terrorism) (2 campaign stars)
• Operation Inherent Resolve
• Operation Spartan Shield
DECORATIONS
• Meritorious Unit Commendation (OIF III 2004‐2005)
• Meritorious Unit Commendation (OIF IX 2009‐2010)
MISSION
On order, the 163rd Ordnance Company provides modular ammunition operations support to a Combat Sustainment Support Battalion or other multifunctional Battalion throughout the Theater Area of Operations. The Modular ammunition platoon receives, configures, inspects, manages, issues, ships, and retrogrades Class V (ammunition) stocks utilizing several types of material handling equipment and
palletized loading systems. The company headquarters provides command and control, planning, field feeding, administrative, supply, chemical biological radiological and nuclear, firefighting, and logistical support to up to five geographically dispersed modular ammunition platoons.
