Shield
Gules two pallets Argent, overall a cubit arm habited in the Artillery uniform of 1861 erased holding aloft a burning torch Or, between two of a snake Vert, lipped and eyed of the third above and behind a prickly pear cactus all Proper, fesswise.
Crest
On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules a palmetto tree Vert behind an arm embowed habited in the Artillery uniform of 1861 issuing from the upper portion of an embattled tower and grasping a rammer staff fesswise all Or.
Motto
PRIMUS INTER PARES (First Among Equals).
Shield
The shield is scarlet for Artillery. With the two white stripes, alluding to the campaign streamer of the War of 1812, the age of some of the units of the regiments is depicted. The snake and cactus, from the State Seal of Mexico, represent the Mexican War. The hand holding the torch of loyalty commemorates the defense of Fort Pickens, the only fort south of Fort Monroe which remained loyal to the Federal Government throughout the Civil War.
Crest
The arms and rammer staff rising out of a tower in front of a palmetto tree indicates participation in the Civil War at Fort Sumter. The palmetto tree is taken from the State Seal of South Carolina.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 1st Coast Artillery Regiment on 5 October 1925. It was redesignated for the 1st Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalion on 27 September 1955. It was cancelled on 21 April 1959. The insignia was restored and authorized for the 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment effective 1 September 1971.