4th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 4th Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery
regiment
of the United States Army
first formed in 1907.
A silver color metal and shield device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height on which is the Aztec symbol of a red sun surmounted by a silver kris and kampilan saltirewise, the red sun within yellow rays, the shield edged with a red border.
The crossed kris and kampilan are significant of the service of batteries of the regiment in the Philippines. The Aztec symbol of the sun refers to the service of batteries of the regiment with the Punitive Expeditions in Mexico.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment on 29 September 1923. It was redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Battalion on 9 August 1941. It was canceled on 21 April 1959. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment effective 1 September 1971.
Gules, a bend sinister Or.
On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules two kampilans in saltire
Argent
, hilted Or charged with a crescent Gules a rattlesnake with four rattles entwined with the weapons Proper.
The shield is scarlet for Artillery. The bend sinister
, an allusion to the hybrid mule, is indicative of the regiment’s former service as pack artillery.
The rattlesnake, a device on the arms of Mexico, refers to the Punitive Expeditions into Mexico. The kampilan
and crescent commemorate the services of the regiment against the Moros
and in Vera Cruz.
The motto translated “No Step Backward” alludes to the surefootedness of the mule in mountains, as well as being a good maxim for soldiers.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment on 29 January 1921. It was redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Battalion on 22 August 1941. It was cancelled on 21 April 1959. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment effective 1 September 1971.
Field artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, long range, short range and extremely long range target engagement....
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the United States Army
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 1907.
History
The 4th Field Artillery Regiment was first activated in 1907 from numbered companies of artillery. It was first organized with 2 battalions.Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description
A silver color metal and shield device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height on which is the Aztec symbol of a red sun surmounted by a silver kris and kampilan saltirewise, the red sun within yellow rays, the shield edged with a red border.
- Symbolism
The crossed kris and kampilan are significant of the service of batteries of the regiment in the Philippines. The Aztec symbol of the sun refers to the service of batteries of the regiment with the Punitive Expeditions in Mexico.
- Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment on 29 September 1923. It was redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Battalion on 9 August 1941. It was canceled on 21 April 1959. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment effective 1 September 1971.
Blazon
- Shield
Gules, a bend sinister Or.
- Crest
On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules two kampilans in saltire
Saltire
A saltire, or Saint Andrew's Cross, is a heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter ex . Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross....
Argent
Argent
In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
, hilted Or charged with a crescent Gules a rattlesnake with four rattles entwined with the weapons Proper.
- Symbolism
- Shield
The shield is scarlet for Artillery. The bend sinister
Bend (heraldry)
In heraldry, a bend is a coloured band running from the upper right corner of the shield to the lower left . Writers differ in how much of the field they say it covers, ranging from one-fifth up to one-third...
, an allusion to the hybrid mule, is indicative of the regiment’s former service as pack artillery.
- Crest
The rattlesnake, a device on the arms of Mexico, refers to the Punitive Expeditions into Mexico. The kampilan
Kampilan
The kampílan is a type of single-edged long sword of the Filipino people. Being ancient origin, it has been used in the Philippine islands of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon for centuries, used for head-chopping....
and crescent commemorate the services of the regiment against the Moros
Moros
In Greek mythology, Moros is the personification of impending doom, who drives mortals to their deadly fate. He is one of the offspring of Nyx , who had conceived him without male intervention, and brother of the Moirae ....
and in Vera Cruz.
- Motto
The motto translated “No Step Backward” alludes to the surefootedness of the mule in mountains, as well as being a good maxim for soldiers.
- Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment on 29 January 1921. It was redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Battalion on 22 August 1941. It was cancelled on 21 April 1959. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 4th Field Artillery Regiment effective 1 September 1971.
Current configuration
- 1st Battalion 4th Field Artillery Regiment
- 2nd Battalion 4th Field Artillery Regiment http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-4fa.htm
- 3rd Battalion 4th Field Artillery Regiment
- 4th Battalion 4th Field Artillery Regiment
- 5th Battalion 4th Field Artillery Regiment
See also
- Field Artillery Branch (United States)
- U.S. Army Coast Artillery CorpsU.S. Army Coast Artillery CorpsThe U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps was a Corps level organization responsible for coastal and harbor defense of the United States between 1901 and 1950.-History:...
- Coats of arms of U.S. Artillery RegimentsCoats of arms of U.S. Artillery RegimentsCoats of arms of US Artillery Regiments are heraldic emblems associated with field artillery, air defense artillery, and coast artillery regiments in the US Army...