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246TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, a bend archy in the colors of the rainbow Proper; on a canton Or a saltire Gray. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "PREPARED TO DEFEND" in Red letters.

Symbolism
The shield is red for Artillery. The gray saltire represents the Civil War Service of the Danville Grays as Confederate troops, the saltire being placed on a gold canton to comply with the heraldic rule of not placing color on color. The bend archy is in the colors of the rainbow, denoting World War I service in the 42d Division.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 246th Coast Artillery Regiment on 1 March 1932. It was redesignated for the 246th Artillery Regiment on 9 May 1960. The insignia was amended to add a motto on 18 September 1968. It was redesignated for the 246th Field Artillery Regiment on 24 July 1972.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Gules, a bend archy in the colors of the rainbow Proper; on a canton Or a saltire Gray.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Virginia Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, "Virtus the genius of the Commonwealth dressed as an Amazon, resting on a spear with one hand and holding a sword in the other; and treading on Tyranny, represented by a man prostrate, a crown falling from his head, a broken chain in his left hand and a scourge in his right" all Proper.

Motto

PREPARED TO DEFEND.

Symbolism

Shield

The shield is red for Artillery. The gray saltire represents the Civil War Service of the Danville Grays as Confederate troops, the saltire being placed on a gold canton to comply with the heraldic rule of not placing color on color. The bend archy is in the colors of the rainbow, denoting World War I service in the 42d Division.

Crest

The crest is that of the Virginia Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 246th Coast Artillery Regiment on 1 March 1932. It was redesignated for the 246th Artillery Regiment on 9 May 1960. The insignia was redesignated for the 246th Field Artillery Regiment on 24 July 1972.





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