4th Aviation Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 4th Aviation Regiment is an aviation regiment of the United States Army
first formed in 1957.
, Washington
Reorganized and redesignated 1 October 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion (organic elements constituted 21 August 1963 and activated 1 October 1963)
(Company A inactivated 25 April 1966 in Vietnam; activated 1 September 1966 at Fort Lewis, Washington)
Battalion inactivated 4 December 1970 at Fort Lewis, Washington
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, redesignated 21 November 1972 as Aviation Company, 4th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Carson, Colorado
Reorganized and redesignated 17 March 1980 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion (organic elements concurrently activated)
Battalion reorganized and redesignated 16 August 1987 as the 4th Aviation, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 4th Aviation Regiment
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess nebuly Azure and Argent and per chevron counterchanged, in chief a pair of wings elevated and displayed Or. Attached below the shield a Gold motto scroll inscribed “VIGILANTIA AETERNA” in Blue letters.
Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The curved nebuly partition line is a heraldic representation of clouds. The triangular edge rising above the line stands for Mount Rainier with its peak above the clouds. Mount Rainier is a landmark of the unit’s place of activation. The golden eagle’s wings above the peak and clouds refer to the unit’s aviation function. The motto translates to “Eternal Vigilance.”
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 4th Aviation Battalion on 15 November 1963. It was rescinded on 8 July 1976. It was reinstated on 15 May 1980. It was amended to change the color of the shield on 15 May 1980. The insignia was redesignated for the 4th Aviation Regiment with the description revised on 10 July 1987.
Per fess nebuly Azure and Argent and per chevron counterchanged, in chief a pair of wings elevated and displayed Or.
Crest
On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure issuant from a wreath of rice Or and palm Vert tied of the second a demi-dragon Gules.
Motto VIGILANTIA AETERNA (Eternal Vigilance).
Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The curved nebuly partition line is a heraldic representation of clouds. The triangular edge rising above the line stands for Mount Rainier with its peak above the clouds. Mount Rainier is a landmark of the unit’s place of activation. The golden eagle’s wings above the peak and clouds refer to the unit’s aviation function.
The oriental dragon symbolizes the unit’s wartime service in Vietnam and participation in eleven campaigns. Red refers to the Meritorious Unit Commendation; the rice alludes to the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, and the palm represents the awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 4th Aviation Battalion on 15 November 1963. It was rescinded on 8 July 1976. It was reinstated on 15 May 1980. It was amended to add a crest and change the color of the shield on 15 May 1980. The insignia was redesignated for the 4th Aviation Regiment on 10 July 1987.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
first formed in 1957.
Lineage
Constituted 1 April 1957 in the Regular Army as the 4th Aviation Company, assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort LewisFort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, Washington
Reorganized and redesignated 1 October 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion (organic elements constituted 21 August 1963 and activated 1 October 1963)
(Company A inactivated 25 April 1966 in Vietnam; activated 1 September 1966 at Fort Lewis, Washington)
Battalion inactivated 4 December 1970 at Fort Lewis, Washington
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, redesignated 21 November 1972 as Aviation Company, 4th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Carson, Colorado
Reorganized and redesignated 17 March 1980 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Battalion (organic elements concurrently activated)
Battalion reorganized and redesignated 16 August 1987 as the 4th Aviation, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 4th Aviation Regiment
Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess nebuly Azure and Argent and per chevron counterchanged, in chief a pair of wings elevated and displayed Or. Attached below the shield a Gold motto scroll inscribed “VIGILANTIA AETERNA” in Blue letters.
- Symbolism
Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The curved nebuly partition line is a heraldic representation of clouds. The triangular edge rising above the line stands for Mount Rainier with its peak above the clouds. Mount Rainier is a landmark of the unit’s place of activation. The golden eagle’s wings above the peak and clouds refer to the unit’s aviation function. The motto translates to “Eternal Vigilance.”
- Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 4th Aviation Battalion on 15 November 1963. It was rescinded on 8 July 1976. It was reinstated on 15 May 1980. It was amended to change the color of the shield on 15 May 1980. The insignia was redesignated for the 4th Aviation Regiment with the description revised on 10 July 1987.
Blazon
- Shield
Per fess nebuly Azure and Argent and per chevron counterchanged, in chief a pair of wings elevated and displayed Or.
Crest
On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure issuant from a wreath of rice Or and palm Vert tied of the second a demi-dragon Gules.
Motto VIGILANTIA AETERNA (Eternal Vigilance).
- Symbolism
- Shield
Ultramarine blue is traditionally associated with Aviation units. The curved nebuly partition line is a heraldic representation of clouds. The triangular edge rising above the line stands for Mount Rainier with its peak above the clouds. Mount Rainier is a landmark of the unit’s place of activation. The golden eagle’s wings above the peak and clouds refer to the unit’s aviation function.
- Crest
The oriental dragon symbolizes the unit’s wartime service in Vietnam and participation in eleven campaigns. Red refers to the Meritorious Unit Commendation; the rice alludes to the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, and the palm represents the awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
- Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 4th Aviation Battalion on 15 November 1963. It was rescinded on 8 July 1976. It was reinstated on 15 May 1980. It was amended to add a crest and change the color of the shield on 15 May 1980. The insignia was redesignated for the 4th Aviation Regiment on 10 July 1987.
Campaign Participation Credit
- Vietnam: Vietnam; Counteroffensive, Phase II; Counteroffensive, Phase III; Tet Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Counteroffensive, Phase V; Counteroffensive, Phase VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer–Fall 1969; Winter–Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase VII;
- War on Terrorism: Iraq.
Decorations
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)Meritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967–1968 - Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2005–2006
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 1996–1997
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966–1969
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–1970
Current configuration
- 1st Battalion 4th Aviation Regiment (United States)
- 2nd Battalion 4th Aviation Regiment (United States)
- 3rd Battalion 4th Aviation Regiment (United States)
- 4th Battalion 4th Aviation Regiment (United States)