Unit insignia one of life’s little mysteries
As I was getting ready for church this morning and affixing my US flag lapel pin to my jacket, I happened to look closer into the tin I keep my various pins in and took notice of a pin I’ve carried around parts of northern Ohio and northern Virginia for somewhere around 30 years. As I studied the design and the motto at the bottom of the pin I realized that while I suspected it was military in nature, I really had no idea what it signified. I think I got it from my older brother, but where he acquired it from or why is completely unknown to me. Upon my return home, I brought it down to my computer with me this morning and did a search on the motto shown at the bottom in this picture:
“Coelis Imperamus” means “We Rule the Heavens.” Interesting.
This insignia is that of the US Army’s 60th Artillery Regiment, known at various times also as the 60th Air Defense Regiment, or ADA. The 60th apparently has a long career, beginning back in 1898 and serving at various times as coastal defense in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. They were deployed in WWI in France and, after several reorganizations, wound up on the island of Corregidor at the mouth of Manila Bay. It was there that they defended the island against the Japanese in WWII and there that the unit was forced to surrender in May 1942.
The modern 60th was reformed in 1958 as a Nike-Ajax anti-aircraft missile brigade.
All very fascinating, but why do I have one of their insignia? I have an ancestor whose records show was enlisted in the Army in the late stages of WWI. I know he was trained as an artillerist but I don’t know the unit. Could this have been his? Is it possible I’ve been lugging around a piece of my ancestor’s legacy all these years and not known it? One of life’s little mysteries, I’m afraid, but I’m not done with this one yet. More to come if I find it.
To that end, if anyone can tell me if the 60th ADA is still an active unit I’d appreciate it!
Comment from Rich Niles
Time October 2, 2008 at 06:49
Sorry, but the 60th ADA was decommissioned after Vietnam I believe. They last served as “Dusters, Lights and Quads” in Vietnam where they provided ground support and Air Defense.
The Duster was a gas driven light tank (Walker Bulldog(?)) with an open turret 40mm Bofors cannon set. Fast, rapid fire and deadly. Used in perimeter defense, road convoy protections and limited search and destroy missions.
History: M42A1 Duster
The M42A1 Duster was an improvement on the old M19 Twin 40mm Anti-Aircraft Tank of World War II. The Duster was built by Cadillac and American Car and Foundry, using the M41 Walker Bulldog chassis. To avoid major reconstruction, the twin-gun turret was designed to fit into the hull turret ring in place of the normal tank turret. Production began in 1952 and continuted until 1957. A total of 3,700 Dusters were built. Its main purpose was to escort tank columns and provide medium range air defense against aircraft and attack helicopters. Now obsolete, the duster is still used in Austria, Germany, Japan and several Middle Eastern countries.
The 60th Artillery was organized in February of 1918 at Fort Monroe, VA. and was moved to Camp Stuart, VA in April of 1918 for preparation before sailing to France. On April 23, 1918 the entire regiment of 71 Officers and 1,649 enlisted men sailed aboard the transport USS Siboney from Port of Embarkation Newport News, VA.
On board the USS Siboney with the 60th Artillery were the following units:
1st Division Motor Supply Train of 16 Officers and 469 enlisted men.
Balloon Detachments 1-8 of 8 Officers and 654 enlisted men.
Casuals consisting of 1 Officer and 25 enlisted men and 66 enlisted men for Quarter Master Stevedores Replacements.
Other ships that sailed on April 23 with the Siboney were the USS Tenadores, USS Mercury and the USS Henry R. Mallory.
In August of 1917 the 8th (I) Company, Coast Defenses of Chesapeake Bay stationed at Fisherman’s Island, VA. was formed into the Headquarters Company 60th Artillery. Battery A, 60th Artillery was formed in January of 1918 from the 4th (I) Company, then stationed at Fort DuPont, Coast Defenses of the Delaware. Battery E of the 60th Artillery came from the 6th (I) Company at Ft. Wool, VA, Coast Defenses of Chesapeake Bay and were moved to Ft. Monroe in December of 1917. The other Batteries of the 60th Artillery came from various Companies from the National Guard of Virginia and the district of Columbia.
The 60th Artillery was one of 3 Regiments that made up the 33rd Artillery Brigade. The other two regiments were the 61st and 62d Regiments. Only the 60th saw any action at the front. The 60th Artillery was issued the French 155mm GPF Gun. The 60th Artillery received it’s training at O&T Center Number 1 (Operations and Training) at Libourne, France and the firing range was at Camp de Souge near Libourne.
The 60th Artillery was returned to the States after the war ended and on 26 January 1919 the regiment boarded the HMS Cedric at Brest, France to begin its trip across the Atlantic. On 4 February 1919 the Cedric reached New York Harbor and the 60th touch the good old United States soil again and went to Camp Merritt, NJ. On February 24, 1919 the regiment was demobilized at Ft. Washington, Maryland.
It is a proud unit that served with distinction in several fronts, and during the cold was as a Nike missle unit in California.