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| 16th Coast Artillery Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
| Active | 1924–1944 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Coast artillery |
| Role | Harbor defense |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | Harbor Defenses of Honolulu |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Ruger |
| Motto | KAPU (Keep out) |
| Mascot | Oozlefinch |
| Engagements | Pearl Harbor |
The16th Coast Artillery Regiment was aCoast Artillery regiment in theUnited States Army, along with the15th Coast Artillery, it manned theHarbor Defenses of Honolulu and other fortified sites onOahu,Hawaii from 1924 until broken up into battalions in August 1944 as part of an Army-wide reorganization.[1] The regiment manned many gun batteries at locations all over Oahu.[2] Most of the forts where they were assigned were originally built 1899–1910, and had been in caretaker status for more than 30 years. On the morning of 7 December 1941, the soldiers of the 16th Coast Artillery manned their anti-aircraft guns, bringing down six of the attacking Japanese aircraft.
Fort Ruger was located in and aroundDiamond Head.[2][3] The interior of the volcanic cone was accessible through two tunnels large enough for trucks. The administrative buildings were on the north side of the cone. The batteries includedmortars placed when the fort was built, dating to 1910. Battery Ruger, like all of the 155mm batteries, were temporary emplacements using four "Panama mounts", a circular track surrounding a center pivot where a155mm GPF gun was mounted. Battery Granger Adams was a typical pre-World War II coast defense emplacement, with the magazine in a protected bunker and the guns behindparapets in open mounts. It was built 1933–1935, with two8-inch guns.
Fort DeRussy was located adjacent toHonolulu, on a portion ofWaikiki Beach.[2][3] The large caliber guns are mounted todisappearing carriages that use the recoil to lower the gun from theparapet to the loading platform. The allows the reloading crew a work area protected from shells fired by off-shore ships. The Anti Motor Torpedo Boat (ATMB) battery protected the close-in area around the fort from attack by high-speed motortorpedo boats.
Fort Armstrong was located at Kaakaukukui Reef, located at the east side of the entrance toPearl Harbor.[2][3]
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson designated 322 acres (1.30 km2) of land on Mokapu Peninsula, naming it Kuwaahoe Military Reservation. In 1939, the Navy constructed a small seaplane base there, designated asNaval Air Station Kaneohe Bay. The Naval Air Station's role was expanded to include the administration of the Kaneohe Bay Naval Defense Sea Area. A part of the 16th Coast Artillery moved onto the reservation in 1941. In 1942 the portion of the reservation that was occupied by the Coast Artillery was designated Fort Hase.[2]
Constituted 27 February 1924 in theRegular Army as 16th Coast Artillery (Harbor Defense) (HD), and organized 1 July 1924 atFort Armstrong from the following companies- 104th, 90th, 99th, 105th, 111th, 159th, and 186th.[4]
1st and 2nd Battalions HHB, and Battery B were activated 6 August 1942 (Battery D was inactivated through detachments).[4]
The regiment was broken up 29 May 1944 and personnel were transferred to the15th Coast Artillery. The Regiment was then transferred (less personnel and equipment) toHD Kaneohe Bay and reactivated with personnel from the inactivated41st Coast Artillery.[4][5]
A Gold color metal and enamel device1+3⁄16 inches (3.0 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Or two spears in saltire Gules, within a bordure embattled barry of eight Argent, of the second and Azure, repeated.[citation needed]
The shield is essentially Hawaiian. The crossed spears are taken from Hawaiian history, they were formerly placed at the King's tent, and are shown conventionally in the Hawaiian arms by a saltire cross placed on an inescutcheon.[citation needed]
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the Coast Defense of Honolulu on 25 July 1922. It was amended to change the description on 6 December 1923. The insignia was redesignated for the 16th Coast Artillery Regiment on 27 February 1929. It was redesignated for the 16th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion on 11 September 1952.[citation needed]
Or two spears in saltire Gules, within a bordure embattled barry of eight Argent, of the second and Azure, repeated.
On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules a representation of Diamond Head Gules. Motto KAPU (Keep Out).
The shield is essentially Hawaiian. The crossed spears are taken from Hawaiian history, they were formerly placed at the King's tent, and are shown conventionally in the Hawaiian arms by a saltire cross placed on an inescutcheon. The motto, probably the best known Hawaiian word, is used extensively as a sign against trespassers.
The batteries atDiamond Head constitute the principal element of these defenses.
The coat of arms was originally approved for theCoast Defenses of Honolulu on 27 January 1922. It was redesignated for the 16th Coast Artillery Regiment on 27 February 1929. The insignia was redesignated for the 16th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion on 11 September 1952.
Commanders of the 16th Coast Artillery Regiment included:[8]
World War II
unknown
This article incorporatespublic domain material from16th AAA gun Battalion.United States Army Institute of Heraldry.