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244TH AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY REGIMENT
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Distinctive Unit Insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/8 inches (3.49 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned:  Gules, between in fess two fleurs-de-lis a sheathed Roman sword point to base Or debruised by a cross pate Argent charged with a hurt bearing the number 9 of the second.  Attached below and to the side of the shield a Gold scroll inscribed RATIONE AUT VI in Black letters.

Symbolism
The shield is red for Artillery.  A white cross pate was the badge of the 2d Division, 5th Corps, and a white disk the badge of the 2d Division, 1st Corps, of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.  The disk has been made blue for contrast, conforming to the heraldic law of not placing metal on metal, and to produce the color combination white and blue, symbolizing the service as Infantry.  The sheathed Roman sword, taken from the Spanish War service medal, denotes that the organization served within the continental limits of the United States during the Spanish-American War.  The fleurs-de-lis represent the service of the 1st Trench Mortar Battalion and the 57th Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps, in France during World War I, which were formed from component parts of the regiment.  The number 9 was used by the regiment from the time of its organization in 1859 until 1924.  The motto translates to By Reason Or By Force.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 244th Coast Artillery Regiment on 23 March 1936.  It was amended to delete the motto on 23 May 1936.  It was redesignated for the 244th Artillery Regiment on 3 August 1962.  The insignia was amended to add the motto on 29 August 1968.  It was redesignated for the 244th Air Defense Artillery Regiment on 6 July 1972.




Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms

Blazon

Shield

Gules, between in fess two fleurs-de-lis a sheathed Roman sword point to base Or debruised by a cross pate Argent charged with a hurt bearing the number 9 of the second.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the New York Army National Guard:  On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, the full-rigged ship Half Moon all Proper.

Motto

RATIONE AUT VI (By Reason Or By Force).

Symbolism

Shield

The shield is red for Artillery.  A white cross pate was the badge of the 2d Division, 5th Corps, and a white disk the badge of the 2d Division, 1st Corps, of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.  The disk has been made blue for contrast, conforming to the heraldic law of not placing metal on metal, and to produce the color combination white and blue, symbolizing the service as Infantry.  The sheathed Roman sword, taken from the Spanish War service medal, denotes that the organization served within the continental limits of the United States during the Spanish-American War.  The fleurs-de-lis represent the service of the 1st Trench Mortar Battalion and the 57th Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps, in France during World War I, which were formed from component parts of the regiment.  The number 9 was used by the regiment from the time of its organization in 1859 until 1924.

Crest

The crest is that of the New York Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 244th Coast Artillery Regiment on 25 February 1936.  It was redesignated for the 244th Artillery Regiment on 3 August 1962.  The insignia was redesignated for the 244th Air Defense Artillery Regiment on 6 July 1972.





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