8th Coast Artillery (United States)

History

The 8th Coast Artillery was constituted 27 February 1924 and organized 1 July 1924 as the Regular Army component of the Harbor Defenses of Portland, Maine and (until early 1940) the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire through early 1944. At that time most of its personnel were transferred to the Harbor Defenses of Portland and the regiment was soon disbanded. In early 1940 the 22nd Coast Artillery was activated to garrison the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, and probably relieved the 8th Coast Artillery of that duty soon afterwards.

Lineage

Constituted 27 February 1924 as the 8th Coast Artillery (HD) Regiment, and organized at Fort Preble 1 July 1924 by redesignating the 123rd, 154th, 155th, 171st, 196th, 156th, 246th, and 251st companies of Coast Artillery Corps. Only Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, and Battery E activated. HHB for the Harbor Defenses of Portland, Maine, Battery E for the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

On 11 September 1943 a third battalion was authorized.

The 8th Coast Artillery was ordered to Camp Shelby 25 February 1944 (less Battery B), released to Army Ground Forces, and assigned to IX Corps, Second Army.

8th Coast Artillery Regiment disbanded 31 May 1944.

Distinctive unit insignia

A Gold metal and enamel device 1 1/8 (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess Gules and Argent, in chief a mullet of the last, in base a pine tree Proper.

The 8th Regiment was organized under General Orders No. 8, 27 February 1924, on 30 June 1924, from the companies which comprised the garrison of the Coast Defenses of Portland and Portsmouth. The design is taken from the coat of arms of the old Coast Defenses of Portland. The star has a dual significance. Its five points represent the five forts in the Coast Defenses of Portland; in addition it represents the Pole Star, those being the most northerly defenses in the country. It is set on a field of artillery red. The pine tree is the emblem of Maine, and is on a white field symbolic of the snows among which this particular pine (Pinus Rigidus) grows.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment on 24 March 1924. It was amended to add the method of wear on 10 November 1924. The insignia was redesignated for the 27th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion on 14 January 1952.

Blazon

Per fess Gules and Argent, in chief a mullet of the last, in base a pine tree Proper.

On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules a phoenix Purpure ailleroned Or rising from flames Proper. Motto: TERRAE PORTAM DEFENDAMUS (We Defend The Land Gate).

Symbolism

The 8th Regiment was organized under General Orders No. 8, 27 February 1924, on 30 June 1924, from the companies which composed the garrison of the Coast Defenses of Portland and Portsmouth. The coat of arms is that of the old Coast Defenses of Portland. The star has a dual significance. Its five points represent the five forts in the Coast Defenses; in addition it represents the Pole Star, those being the most northerly defenses in the country. It is set on a field of artillery red. The pine tree is the emblem of Maine, and is on a white field symbolic of the snows among which this particular pine (Pinus Rigidus) grows. The motto translates to “We Defend the Land Gate.” “Terrae Portam” is also the Latin equivalent for Portland and “Defendamus” is the motto of the Coast Artillery Corps.

The crest is taken from the arms of the city of Portland which was thrice destroyed in war by burning, by the Indians in 1676, by the French in 1690 and by the English fleet in 1775, but each time it has risen phoenix-like from its ashes.

Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment on 13 March 1924. It was amended to correct the translation of the motto on 31 March 1928. The insignia was redesignated for the 27th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion on 14 January 1952.