This newly formed artillery battalion was equipped with 155 mm howitzers with a General Support (GS) mission to the 34th Infantry Division.

Upon mobilization for World War II, the battalion turned in the 155's and received the 8 inch howitzers to better meet the needs of the division.

The 194th Field Artillery Battalion fired a total of 92,165 artillery rounds and its soldiers received a total of 5 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit, 54 Bronze Stars, 10 Air Medals including 22 clusters, and 140 Purple Hearts.

In August, the battalion provided tactical support to units in the vicinity of Bamberg, Germany.

During April and September the battalion gave tactical support to units in the vicinity of Bamberg, Germany.

[1] Shortly after World War II, the 194th Field Artillery Battalion (FAB) received federal recognition as a National Guard unit in Iowa.

[2][3] Although the battalion fought in World War II all honors were inherited by the 556th Field Artillery Battalion of Eastern Iowa organic to the 34th Infantry Division (United States), Headquarters and Headquarters Battery in Fort Dodge retains the WWII lineage.

After this date, the battalion adopted its current coat of arms and distinctive insignia, with a motto of "When Ready".

The original units of the battalion had to improvise training locations when they were organized in 1947 as their communities lacked pre-existing National Guard armories.

Service Battery started out in a 12 by 16 room on the second floor of a Pepsi Cola warehouse in Algona.