Crossed cannons (field guns) for Artillery has been in continuous use since
1834, when they were played on regimental colors,
knapsacks, and as part of the cap insignia for Artillery officers.
An Act of Congress, 2 February 1901, divided the Artillery arm into
Coast and Field Artillery and the insignia was modified by the addition
of a plain scarlet oval at the intersection of the crossed cannons.
On 17 July 1902, the Coast Artillery insignia was created by the addition
of a gold projectile on the red oval. Concurrently, the Field Artillery
insignia was created by the addition of a gold wheel on the
red oval; this insignia was replaced by two crossed field guns
(a lighter form of cannon), the design of which was approved on 4 April 1907.
The Army Organization Act of 1950 consolidated Coast and
Field Artillery to form the Artillery Arm, and the crossed field guns was
redesignated as the Artillery branch insignia on 19 December 1950.
This insignia was superseded on 2 January 1957
by a new insignia consisting of crossed field guns surmounted by a missile, all gold.
On 20 June 1968, Air Defense Artillery was established as a basic
branch of the Army and on 1 December 1968, the ADA branch
was authorized to retain the former Artillery insignia, crossed field guns with missile.
Branch Plaque:
The plaque design has the branch insignia, letters and border in gold.
The background is scarlet.
Regimental Insignia:
Personnel assigned to the Air Defense Artillery branch affiliate
with a specific regiment and wear the insignia of the affiliated regiment.
