First organized as a Militia company on December 1, 1860, the city of Oxford provided two companies, the Lamar Rifles and the University Grays (composed of university students), which became "G" and "A" Company, respectively, of the 11th Regiment of the Mississippi Infantry.  From Manses to Appomattox Courthouse, these units served with distinction throughout the War Between the States as part of the Army of Northern Virginia.  Of the 287 soldiers in these units, 206 became casualties.  On July 3, 1863, the companies participated in the great charge at Gettysburg, holding the left flank of the Confederate forces.  The high water mark for the companies was at Brain's Barn.  In the attack, every member of the University Grays was killed or wounded, along with 62% of the Lamar Rifles.  The companies were consolidated following the battle, finally surrendering at the Battle of Hatcher's Run, on April 2, 1865, just days before General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865.  During this time, the city of Oxford and the Courthouse were burned and the Union troops occupied the University of Mississippi.  Of the 49 students from the University of Mississippi who initially formed the University Grays, none ever returned to complete their studies.

In the years that followed, Oxford again provided a company for the Spanish American War, but it did not see action.  In World War 1, as part of the 155th Infantry Regiment, it sailed to France, where the majority of the regiment was used as replacements for the heavy casualties suffered on the Western Front.  In the 1930's, a Battery of Artillery was raised, and mobilized in 1940.  This unit saw action in the South Pacific, in the campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines.  Although the unit was again mobilized as part of the 31st Infantry Division (known as the "Dixie Division") for the Korean War it did not deploy overseas.  Following its demobilization for the Korean War, the unit became Troop E, 2nd Recon Squadron.  In 1969, they became "B" Troop, 108th Armored Cavalry until 1995.  At that time, the unit was reorganized as Alpha Company, 2nd of the 198th Armor, the name it bears today, with the Battalion motto,  "WE CAME TO FIGHT" and the Company motto of "VIPERS-Strike to Kill".  On September 12, 2001 the unit was called upon once again for service in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as part of Task Force Rifles, under the 29th Infantry Division, as part of NATO Peacekeeping Operations.  Finally, on May 15, 2004 Alpha Company 2/198th AR was again placed on alert and later activated on August 9, 2004. This most recent call to Active Duty ordered them to report to Camp Shelby Mobilization Center where the unit started training for the Iraqi Theater.  While attached to the 1/198th Armor Battalion, the unit became known as Alpha Company Combat Team.

Over 150 years ago, we fought as enemies against each other.  Today, we stand together as United Nation and a United Fighting Force.  Today, the unit remains part of the 155th  Separate Armored Brigade. 

                                           1SG  RAY WILBURN