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14th Coast Artillery Regiment
coat of arms
Active1924 - 1944
Country United States
BranchArmy
TypeCoast artillery
RoleHarbor defense
SizeRegiment
Part ofHarbor Defenses of Puget Sound
Garrison/HQFort Worden
Motto(s)"Semper Vigilans"
Mascot(s)Oozlefinch
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Colonel Percy M. Kessler

The 14th Coast Artillery Regiment was a Coast Artillery regiment in the United States Army. It served as the Regular Army component of the Harbor Defenses (HD) of Puget Sound, Washington state from 1924 through October 1944, when it was broken up and disbanded as part of an Army-wide reorganization. The 248th Coast Artillery Regiment was the Washington National Guard component of those defenses.[1][2]

Lineage

Constituted in the Regular Army 27 February 1924 as 14th Coast Artillery (Harbor Defense), and organized 1 July 1924 at Fort Worden by redesignating the following companies of the Coast Artillery Corps (CAC): 106th, 108th, 94th, 92nd, 85th, 149th, 93rd, 150th, 126th, and 160th.[3]

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalion HHBs constituted as inactive on 12 September 1935 (Battery K disbanded).[3]

Regiment broken up 18 October 1944 as follows:[3][4]

14th, 169th, and 170th Coast Artillery Battalions inactivated 15 September 1945.[6]

Distinctive unit insignia

A gold metal and enamel device 1 inch (2.54 cm) in height overall the head of a northern lynx cropped facing forward silver gray. Attached below and to the sides ending in ribbons behind the lynx's ear is a red scroll inscribed "SEMPER VIGILANS" in gold letters.

The lynx is characteristic of the country. The motto translates to "Always Watchful."

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 14th Coast Artillery Regiment on 21 November 1924. It was redesignated for the 14th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion on 30 April 1952.

Coat of arms

Blazon

Gules two flaunches ermine.

On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules, the head of a northern lynx caboshed Proper. Motto: SEMPER VIGILANS (Always Watchful).

Symbolism

The Regiment was organized in the Coast Defenses of Puget Sound and the shield, red for Artillery, is the shield of the old Coast Defenses. The flaunches of ermine recall "Astoria" and the fur trade in the early days and by their outline on the shield indicate the contour of the straits.

The large, gray, northern lynx is characteristic of the country.

Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 14th Coast Artillery Regiment on 18 November 1924. It was redesignated for the 14th Coast Artillery Battalion on 18 December 1944. The insignia was redesignated for the 14th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion on 30 April 1952.

Campaign streamers

none

Decorations

none

See also

References

  1. ^ Stanton, p. 457
  2. ^ Gaines National Guard, 248th Coast Artillery
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Gaines Regular Army, p. 11
  4. ^ a b c History of the 14th Coast Artillery at the Coast Defense Study Group
  5. ^ Berhow, pp. 218-219
  6. ^ Stanton, p. 489

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from 14th Coast Artillery. United States Army Institute of Heraldry. (dead link 17 September 2017)

External links

Artillery formations of the United States
Categories