[1] The 2nd Missouri Infantry was called up to serve during the Mexican border dispute in 1916; redesignated as the 128th, 129th, and 130th Machine Gun Battalions in 1917; transformed into the 203rd Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps in 1921; inducted into federal service in September 1940; and was later sent to Alaska for the Aleutian Campaign.

The 203rd Coast Artillery was originally organized as the 2nd Infantry Regiment, Missouri National Guard, on 15 October 1890.

The 35th Division served overseas in France in the Meuse-Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine Campaigns, and the former 2nd Missouri Infantry was mustered out of service in May 1919.

From 9 July to 5 August 1922, the 1st and 2nd Battalions performed riot control during a coal miners' strike at Moberly and Macon, Missouri.

From 30 April to 4 May 1934, the 2nd Battalion performed riot control duty during a coal miners' strike at Mindenmines, Missouri.

The regiment participated in major field army maneuvers at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Camp Ripley, Minnesota, in 1937 and 1940.

[5] The regiment was inducted into federal service on 16 September 1940 and was assigned to the 33rd Coast Artillery Brigade (Antiaircraft).

A houn’ dawg statant Proper on a gold ribbon scroll bearing the motto "DON’T KICK OUR DOG" in red.