Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, four searchlight beams radiant from middle base Or; on a chief Sable a winged projectile of the second. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed “NIGHT HIDES NOT” in Black letters.
Symbolism
The shield is red for Artillery. The searchlight beams and the winged projectile denote the character of the parent organization (506th Coast Artillery)(AA), while the winged projectile on the black chief alludes to the motto “Night Hides Not,” signifying that the night does not hide the enemy from the artillery fire of 506th Coast Artillery, from which this unit descended.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 506th Coast Artillery (AA), Organized Reserves on 12 March 1929. It was redesignated for the 56th Coast Artillery on 30 October 1941. It was redesignated for the 56th Field Artillery Battalion on 29 December 1950. The insignia was redesignated for the 56th Artillery Regiment on 19 December 1958. It was redesignated effective 1 September 1971, for the 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
Coat Of Arms
Blazon
Shield
Gules, four searchlight beams radiant from middle base Or; on a chief Sable a winged projectile of the second.
Crest
On a wreath Or and Gules, on a mound Vert a hurst of five trees Proper, the holes interlaced with an arrow fesswise Or and issuant in base a trident of the first surmounting and interlacing a Torii Sable.
Motto
NIGHT HIDES NOT.
Symbolism
Shield
The shield is red for Artillery. The searchlight beams and the winged projectile denote the character of the parent organization (506th Coast Artillery)(AA), while the winged projectile on the black chief alludes to the motto “Night Hides Not,” signifying that the night does not hide the enemy from the artillery fire of 506th Coast Artillery, from which this unit descended.
Crest
The crest commemorates the award of the Distinguished Unit Citation given the organization in World War II for Hurtgen Forest by the hurst of trees and the arrow. The trident and Torii allude to the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) awarded the organization for action in Inchon during the Korean War.
Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 506th Coast Artillery (AA), Organized Reserves on 12 March 1929. It was redesignated for the 56th Coast Artillery and amended to delete the crest of the Organized Reserves on 30 October 1941. It was redesignated for the 56th Field Artillery Battalion on 29 December 1950. The insignia was redesignated for the 56th Artillery Regiment on 19 December 1958. It was amended to add the crest on 30 March 1966. The coat of arms was redesignated effective 1 September 1971, for the 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
