8th Coast Artillery (United States) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 8th Coast Artillery Regiment |
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Coat of arms
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| Active | 1924 - 1944 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Coast artillery |
| Role | Harbor defense |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Preble |
| Motto(s) | "Terrae Portam Defendamus" (We Defend The Land Gate) |
| Mascot(s) | Oozlefinch |
The 8th Coast Artillery Regiment was a special unit in the U.S. Army. It was part of the Coast Artillery Corps. This group was responsible for defending important harbors. The 8th Coast Artillery Regiment protected the harbors of Portland, Maine, from 1924 to 1944. They also guarded Portsmouth, New Hampshire, from 1924 to 1940.
Contents
History of the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment
The 8th Coast Artillery Regiment was officially formed on February 27, 1924. It began its work on July 1, 1924. This regiment was the main U.S. Army unit defending the Harbor Defenses of Portland in Maine. Another unit, the 240th Coast Artillery, was the Maine National Guard's part of these defenses.
The 8th Coast Artillery also helped guard the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth in New Hampshire. They kept a small team there from 1924 until early 1940. In 1940, a new unit, the 22nd Coast Artillery, took over this duty. Most of the soldiers from the 8th Coast Artillery were moved to the Portland defenses in early 1944. The regiment was then officially ended.
How the Regiment Was Formed
The 8th Coast Artillery Regiment was created on February 27, 1924. It was put together at Fort Preble on July 1, 1924. This happened by changing the names of several existing Coast Artillery Corps companies.
At first, only the main headquarters unit (Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, or HHB) and Battery E were active. The HHB took care of the Portland defenses. Battery E was responsible for the Portsmouth defenses.
- Battery A started its work at Fort Preble on July 1, 1939.
- Battery E stopped its duties at Fort Constitution on September 1, 1939. A small team from the HHB took over until the 22nd Coast Artillery arrived.
- Battery B began its work at Fort Preble on July 29, 1940.
- The 1st Battalion Headquarters and Battery C started at Fort Preble on February 10, 1941.
- The 2nd Battalion Headquarters and Batteries D, E, and F started at Fort McKinley on February 10, 1941.
- Battery G, which used searchlights, began at Fort Preble on June 1, 1941.
- Battery D guarded Fort Baldwin from 1942 to 1944. They used four large 155 mm guns there.
On September 11, 1943, a third battalion was approved for the regiment.
- Battery G was renamed Battery K, and it continued to be the searchlight unit.
- The 4th Battalion of the 241st Coast Artillery moved from Boston to Portland. It was renamed the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Coast Artillery.
- Batteries K and M of the 241st Coast Artillery became Batteries G and H of the 8th CA.
- Battery D of the 243rd Coast Artillery moved from Narragansett Bay to Portland. It was renamed Battery I of the 8th CA.
- Battery E of the 10th Coast Artillery moved from Narragansett Bay to Portland on July 26, 1943. It was renamed Battery L of the 8th CA.
The 8th Coast Artillery was sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, on February 25, 1944. Battery B went to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The 8th Coast Artillery Regiment was officially ended on May 31, 1944.
Regiment Symbols and Meanings
The 8th Coast Artillery Regiment had special symbols, including a distinctive unit insignia and a coat of arms. These symbols told a story about the unit's history and where it was located.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
The distinctive unit insignia was a gold metal and enamel badge. It was about 1 1/8 inches tall. It showed a shield with a red top and a white bottom. At the top, there was a white star. At the bottom, there was a green pine tree.
What the Insignia Means
The design came from the older symbols of the Coast Defenses of Portland.
- The star has two meanings. Its five points stand for the five forts in the Coast Defenses of Portland. It also represents the North Star, because these defenses were the most northern in the country. The star is on a red background, which is the color for artillery.
- The pine tree is a symbol of Maine. It is on a white background, which represents the snow where this type of pine tree grows.
The distinctive unit insignia was first approved for the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment on March 24, 1924. Later, it was used for the 27th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms also featured the shield with the red and white sections, the star, and the pine tree. It also had a crest and a motto.
What the Coat of Arms Means
- Shield: The shield's design is the same as the distinctive unit insignia. It represents the five forts and the northern location with the star. The pine tree symbolizes Maine and its snowy environment.
- Crest: The crest shows a purple phoenix with gold wings rising from flames. This symbol comes from the city of Portland's own coat of arms. Portland was destroyed by fire three times in wars (by Native Americans in 1676, by the French in 1690, and by the English fleet in 1775). But each time, like a phoenix, it rose again from its ashes.
- Motto: The motto is "TERRAE PORTAM DEFENDAMUS." This Latin phrase means "We Defend The Land Gate." "Terrae Portam" is also a Latin way to say Portland. "Defendamus" was the motto of the entire Coast Artillery Corps.
The coat of arms was first approved for the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment on March 13, 1924. Like the insignia, it was later used for the 27th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion.
