42nd Field Artillery Regiment, US Army

42ND FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Gules, two bendlets between four shells, two in chief and two in base, all Or.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules a dexter hand grasping four spears pointing in four directions of the compass Or.
Motto: FESTINA LENTE (Make Haste Slowly).

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/16 inches (2.70 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, two bendlets between four shells, two in chief and two in base, all Or. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed “FESTINA LENTE” in Black letters.

Origin/meaning

Scarlet is the color used for Artillery. The shells indicate the nature of the organization and with the bendlets produce the numerical designation of the organization. The hand grasping the spears indicates fire power in any direction.

The Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insaignia was originally approved for the 42d Field Artillery Battalion on 7 May 1942. They was redesignated for the 42d Artillery Regiment on 26 November 1958. The insignia was redesignated for the 42d Field Artillery Regiment effective 1 September 1971.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.