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The heritage of the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion began with the activation of the 512th Airborne Signal Company on the 14 July, 1944, in Lido De Roma Italy. The 512th conducted signal operations in support of the 1st Special Service Force and the three Parachute Infantry Battalions that comprised the 1st Airborne Task Force. The company, commanded by CPT Charles L. Howard, consisted of 3 officers, 2 warrant officers, and 129 enlisted soldiers. Soldiers for the unit were selected from the 6766th Signal Service Company (Provisional), 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division.

As part of the 1st Airborne Task Force, the 512th participated in operations from Rome to Arno Italy. The Battalion motto: “Penetra Le Tenebre" ("Penetrate the Shadows”) and Mediterranean-style dagger on the battalion Coat of Arms are drawn from this early service in Italy. These early operations in Italy would forever link the unit to Airborne and Special Operations Forces. Over the next half century, this bond would strengthen. The 512th soldiers, now commanded by 1LT George R. Hartley, conducted signal operations in support of Brigadier General Robert T. Frederick's 1st Airborne Task Force during Operation Dragoon (15 August 1944) at Le Muy, France. They made the unit's first parachute and glider assaults into battle. Thus, earning an "arrowhead" for the unit battle streamer. The 1st Airborne Task Force blocked German counter attacks in support of an Allied landing near Cannes, France. It was an operation that tested the concept of daylight mass tactical parachute drops supporting the deep battle and deep battle communications. On 18 December, 1944, the 512th Airborne Signal Company was ordered to Ascot, England to become part of the 1st Allied Airborne Army. Thus, establishing a link between the unit and Combined Airborne Forces. Prior to this period, soldiers of the 512th served briefly under the U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps, now symbolized by the "dragon's head" on the Battalion Colors and Coat of Arms. It was the communications shortfalls experienced by the airborne infantry forces during Operation Market Garden that gave rise to the need for more long-haul communications and a new signal battalion to provide it. Thus, the 112th Airborne Army Signal Battalion was constituted.

The 112th Airborne Army Signal Battalion was constituted on 15 January 1945, and formally activated on 10 February 1945. The 112th was assigned to the 1st Allied Airborne Army. The 512th Airborne Signal Company was used to form the nucleus of the new battalion which was now commanded by LTC George R. Hartley. It initially consisted of 24 officers, 1 warrant officer and 381 enlisted soldiers. The battalion took on the Joint and Combined mission of providing communications for the U.S. and British Airborne, Glider and Air Corps forces in Europe. On 25 March, 1945, 112th soldiers parachuted into battle with nearly 10,000 airborne troops of the Allied Airborne Army in support of Operation Varsity "Jump Across the Rhine." Again 112th soldiers provided critical combat communications deep within enemy lines. By 7 May, 112th soldiers had traveled deep into Germany with the Airborne Army to link up with Russian Forces at the town of Hagenow, near the Baltic Sea. Following the link up with the Russians, the 112th served with occupation forces in Berlin. The rendering of the “Brandenberg Gate” on the Battalion Colors and Coat of Arms represents this service in Berlin. On 3 December, 1945, the 112th Airborne Army Signal Battalion departed from La Harve, France on the S.S. US Victory, bound for Hampton Roads, Virginia in the United States. There at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia on 12 December, 1945, the unit was deactivated.

Over 40 years later, when the newly formed Theater Special Operations Commands needed deployable communications the 112th returned to the active force. On the 17th of September 1986 the battalion was designated as the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne), allotted to the Regular Army and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. LTC James D. (Dave). Bryan, who had worked to develop the organization and operational concept for the unit, became the first commander of the 112th since World War II. And, CSM Billie F. Phipps was selected as the first Sergeant Major for the re-activated unit. The battalion was assigned to the newly activated 1st Special Operations Command. At the activation ceremony, the battalion received orders for deployment supporting Operation Hat Trick in support of Special Operations Command South in Panama and has maintained a continuous presence in overseas Theaters ever since. Hence, the families of the 112th would begin a tradition of mutual support to sustain the long months of separation while their loved ones faithfully served their nation in support of Special Operations Forces. During this early period 112th provided communications in support of several US security efforts and Drug Enforcement Administration operations in the Southern Region.