30th AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY BRIGADE
Because of a very serious mistake on my part, I contacted "THE" authority on distinctive insignia, Mr. James A. Sawicki for help. He filled me in on three different units (2 Groups and 1 Brigade using the numerical designation "30")plus a major error in the insignia description of the 30th Artillery Brigade.(*).
Constituted in the Regular Army as Headquarters, First Expeditionary Brigade, Coast Artillery Corps and organzed 24 July 1917 at Fort Adams, Rhode Island. Redesignated 17 September 1917 as Headquarters, First Separate Brigade, Coast Artillery Corps. Redesignted 25 March 1918 as Headquarters, 30th Artillery Brigade (Coast Artillery Railway). (118th Company, Coast Artillery Corps organized 7 October 1901 at Fort Monroe, Virginia; redesignated Headquarters and Supply Company, 63d Artillery, Coast, Coast Artillery Corps during 1917 and further redesignted 7 August 1918 as Headquarters Company, 30th Artillery Brigade). Redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Artillery Brigade, Coast Artillery Corps during June 1920. Inactivated at Camp Eustis, Virginia during August 1921. Redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 30th Artillery Brigade, Coast Artillery Corps during 1922 (Headquarters Battery additionally redesignated 1 June 1922 as the 118th Company, Coast Artillery Corps). (Additional designation abolished 30 June 1924). Redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 30th Coast Artillery Brigade during 1925. Activated 17 June 1926 and inactivated 31 March 1930; both at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Redesignated 22 June 1960 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 30th Artillery Brigade. Activated 24 June 1960 on Okinawa. Redesignated 15 March 1972 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Inactivted 12 June 1973 at Oakland Army Base, California.
CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT
(World War I):
St Mihiel
Meuse-Argonne
DECORATIONS
None
SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA
The shoulder sleeve insignia originally approved for the 30th Artillery Brigade, 12 April 1966, is authorized 4 April 1972 for the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
DESCRIPTION
On a red shield arched at the top and base, three vertical yellow arrows pointed upwards encircled by a yellow band.
SYMBOLISM
The three arrows are used to allude to missiles, and the three main Ryukyu Islands of the unit's present home station. The dual band symbolizes a specific area (targt), and also simulates a zero which, in conjunction with the three arrows, suggest the numerical designation of the organization.
DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA
The distinctive insignia (badge) originally approved for the noncolor bearing units of the 30th Artilelry Brigade, 13 April 1966, is authorized 5 April 1972 for the noncolor bearing units of the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
DESCRIPTION
A gold metal and enamel insignia consisting of a vertical golden arrow with point up behind an arched golden scroll inscribed with the words "ALWAYS ON TARGET" in red supporting a red Toril Gate, its legs enclosing a blue fleur-de-lis.
SYMBOLISM
The colors gold (yellow) and red represent the Air Defense Artillery branch. The blue fleur-de-lis strands for service in France during World War I*, while the red Toril Gate represents the island of Okinawa, where the Brigade was activated. The position of the golden arrow behind the center refers to the motto "ALWAYS ON TARGET" and alludes to the basic mission of the Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
*Corrects the original description which referred to service by the unit in France in both World Wars I & II. The unit was not active during World War II.
|
