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.
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.
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.