| Unit Name: | 13th Coast Artillery Regiment |
| Branch: | Army |
| Dates: | 1924–1944 |
| Size: | Regiment |
| Garrison: | Fort Barrancas, Florida |
| Motto: | "Quod Habemus Defendmus" We Defend What We Have |
The 13th Coast Artillery Regiment was a Coast Artillery regiment in the United States Army. Elements of the regiment served during World War II in the Harbor Defenses of Pensacola (HD Pensacola), HD Key West, HD Galveston, HD Charleston, Temporary HD of New Orleans, and in Bora Bora in the South Pacific. The regiment was broken up and its elements redesignated on 31 August 1944 as part of an Army-wide reorganization.[1] [2]
Constituted in the Regular Army 27 February 1924 as 13th Coast Artillery (Harbor Defense) (HD), and organized 1 July 1924 at Fort Barrancas in HD Pensacola, Florida by redesignating the following companies of the Coast Artillery Corps (CAC): 121st, 145th, 162nd, 163rd, 170th, 179th, 180th, 181st, 182nd, 183rd, and 188th.[1]
On 15 January 1942 3rd battalion activated with Batteries F and H, moved to Charleston Port of Embarkation, and as part of Task Force 5614 sailed 27 January 1942 for Bora Bora in French Polynesia, South Pacific, arrived there 27 February 1942 as part of Operation Bobcat.[1]
In mid-August 1944, regiment broken up as follows:
13th and 181st Coast Artillery Battalions inactivated 1 April 1945.[3]
A Gold color metal and enamel device NaNinches in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules on a saltire Or voided of the field a fleur-de-lis of the second. Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "QUOD HABEMUS DEFENDEMUS" in Black letters.
The red of the shield signifies Air Defense Artillery. The outline in gold of the saltire or diagonal cross denotes that the Regiment was organized in the south; viz: The Coast Defenses of Charleston, Pensacola, Key West and Galveston. The saltire is taken from the battle flag of the Confederacy and, as only its outline appears on the shield, denotes a suggestion of the south. The fleur-de-lis stands for the service in France of the 121st Company, C.A.C. (Battery C, 61st Regiment, C.A.C.). The motto translates to "What We Hold We Will Defend."
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 13th Coast Artillery Regiment on 11 August 1924. It was redesignated for the 13th Artillery Group on 20 November 1967. The insignia was amended to add the motto on 20 November 1967. It was redesignated for the 13th Air Defense Artillery Group on 4 April 1972.
Gules on a saltire Or voided of the field a fleur-de-lis of the second (Or).
On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, a saltire Gules charged with three cannon paleways Or. Motto QUOD HABEMUS DEFENDEMUS (What We Hold We Will Defend).
The red of the shield signifies Artillery. The outline in gold of the saltire or diagonal cross denotes that the Regiment was organized in the south; viz; The Coast Defenses of Charleston, Pensacola, Key West and Galveston. The saltire is taken from the battle flag of the Confederacy and, as only its outline appears on the shield, denotes a suggestion of the south. The fleur-de-lis stands for the service in France of the 121st Company, C.A.C. (Battery C, 61st Artillery, C.A.C.)
The red saltire represents the Regiment being organized in the south and the three cannons symbolize Artillery.
The coat of arms was approved on 9 August 1924.
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal (United States)
none