By General Order No. 36, dated June 1, 1942, Headquarters Antiaircraft Training Center, Camp Stewart, Georgia, the 441st Separate Coast Artillery Battalion (AA) was activated. The enlisted cadre was formed from several other antiaircraft units at the camp. The Battalion was made mobile prior to its change of station to Camp Carrabelle (later Gordon Johnston), Florida, where it conducted amphibious training with the 38th Infantry Division.

The Battalion arrived at Camp Pickett, Virginia, on January 26, 1943, to commence training with the 45th Infantry Division. It moved with the 45th from a final staging at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, on May 26, 1943, and embarked at Newport News, Virginia on June 8. By this time it was designated 441st AAA AW Battalion (SP). The Battalion participated throughout the Sicilian Campaign with the 45th Division.

The 441st was first attached to the 3d Division on September 15, as the Division was in the act of moving to Salerno.

The first major kill made by the Battalion was at the Volturno River, where seven out of 30 enemy planes were destroyed on October 15, despite the strength and intensity of the air attack, which caused several casualties in the outfit. One man received the Silver Star for his gallantry in this action.

It was at Anzio, following the Southern Italy campaign, however, that the 441st really proved its mettle. Enemy air raids during January and February were numerous and determined. In the first 17 days on the Beachhead the 441st shot down 23 German planes, and several "probables."

To protect Division Artillery observation planes, the Battalion set a "cub trap" in the forward areas. Pilots under duress were instructed to swoop low over an area in which there were four camouflaged half-tracks.

The trap was sprung on two occasions, netting one enemy plane.

During the 3d's rest periods in the "pine forest," the 441st provided protection. It moved right along with the Division on the attack to Rome and the subsequent landings in France and north to the Vosges Mountains.

Early in October, after some preliminary experimentation, it was found that light antiaircraft weapons were of great value in aiding foot troops in the attack. This marked a turning point for the battalion. This sort of firing, in addition to utilizing the half-tracks for evacuation of wounded, undoubtedly prompted the first statement that the 441st was "Anti Anything Anywhere."

At Remiremont the Battalion began converting from M-13's to M-16's by exchanging the twin .50 cal. machine guns of the M-13's for turrets with quadruple .50 cal. guns, doubling the original firepower.

The Battalion performed its greatest ground-support role in the attack to wipe out the Colmar Pocket, supporting the attack, repelling counterattacks and firing at the first enemy jet-propelled planes on January 29. In its support mission on the Colmar Canal crossing, B Battery expended 22,000 rounds, and C Battery 16,000 rounds of ammunition. On February 2, the Battalion shot down an ME-262 jet plane.

In the last phase of the war, the 441st had one more field day against its primary targets, following the fight at Nurnberg. This was at the Dillingen bridgehead, at that time very important to, the Germans. When the l2th Armored seized the span, the Luftwage showed up in strength. Six enemy Planes were shot down, with about five more "probables."

The 441st AAA Battalion (SP) remained with the Division until some time after V-E Day.