Marcus’s posting of the arms of the Uruguayan cavalry unit whose arms were Argent a dragon passant Gules reminded me immediately of the arms of the US 1st Cavalry Regiment, Tenny a dragon passant Or.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/military/1stCav.jpg
The 1st Cavalry (1st Regiment of Dragoons) was raised in 1833 as the U.S. Regiment of Dragoons. These are therefore canting arms. It became the 1st Regiment of Dragoons when another dragoons unit was established in 1836, then redesignated 1st Cavalry in 1861. Orange was the original facing color for the two US dragoon regiments.
For informal use, the escutcheon is encircled with a dragoons sword belt, buckle to base proper, with the words FIRST CAVALRY in chief and the motto ANIMO ET FIDE in base in gold letters.
The arms of the 2d Armored Cavalry, raised as the 2d Regiment of Dragoons in 1836, are Tenny a dragoon in the uniform of the Mexican War mounted on a white horse brandishing a saber and charging a Mexican field gun defended by a gunner armed with a rammer all proper, in chief two eight-pointed mullets Or.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/military/2dACR.jpg
The arms commemorate the charge of the Mexican artillery at Resaca de la Palma. The regiment became the 2d Cavalry in 1861 and 2d Armored Cavalry in 1948.
Note: My posting of arms with orange fields is not intended and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the use of that color in heraldry.
Source of both images is the US Army Lineage Series, Armor-Cavalry, Part I.
And one more pre-Civil war cavalry regiment, the 3d Armored Cavalry (Brave Rifles), formed in 1846 as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen.
Vert on a cross Argent a tower of the field, on a chief Or a bend Gules.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/military/3dACR.jpg
The Vert field is for the green facings originally worn by US mounted rifles. The cross is for the regiment’s first action at Vera Cruz, Mexico, and the tower for the fortifications of Mexico City. The chief is derived from the arms of Lorraine, where the regiment fought in World War I.
The RMR was redesignated 3d Cavalry in 1861 and 3d Armored Cavalry in 1948.
The arms of the 2nd Armored Cav, is to me a rather unhappy design as regarding the heraldic quality.
Countinuing the tread with the 4th Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1855. Picture and information from the TIOH site:
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/4CavalryRegtCOA.jpg
"Blazon:
Shield: Or, on a pale embattled Azure pierced by a saber Gules a cannon reversed of the field and thereon a saber and a bayonet saltirewise and an arrow palewise all points down of the third.
Crest: On a wreath Or and Azure a cratered mount Vert bearing a saber bendwise Or and in the crater a kris reversed Gules.
Motto: PARATUS ET FIDELIS (Prepared and Loyal).
Symbolism:
Shield: The shield is yellow for Cavalry. The attack on the intrenchments at Selma is symbolized by the embattled blue pale and red bayonet. The capture of Hood’s Artillery is shown by the reversed cannon. The rout of the enemy’s Cavalry at Murfreesboro by the reversed saber and the successful Indian campaigns by the reversed arrow.
Crest: The Bud Dajo campaign is indicated by the conventionalized volcano of the crest and the defeat of the Moros by the reversed kris in the crater. The crest contains the regiment’s triumphant saber at the charge.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 4th Cavalry Regiment on 9 February 1922. It was amended to correct the blazon of the shield on 27 April 1926. The insignia was redesignated for the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion on 11 December 1950. It was redesignated for the 4th Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion on 30 June 1955. The insignia was rescinded on 24 May 1956. It was reinstated and approved for the 4th Cavalry Regiment on 30 August 1957."
5th Cavalry Regiment, raised as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in 1855. Bacamed the 5th Cav in 1861 when the 2nd Dragoons was renamed 2nd Cav. Picture and information also from the TIOH site.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/7408/5cavalryregtcoafk8.gif
"Blazon:
Shield: Or a cross moline Sable, on a chief embattled of the last a maltese cross Argent.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Sable) a bundle of five arrows Sable armed and flitted Gules, tied with a rattlesnake skin having five rattles Proper.
Motto: LOYALTY AND COURAGE.
Symbolism:
Shield: The shield is yellow for Cavalry. The cross moline symbolizes the charge of this Regiment on Longstreet’s troops at Gaines Mills in 1862; a charge which saved the Union artillery and which is characterized by the Regimental historian as "its most distinguished service." The cross moline is supposed to represent the iron pieces of a mill stone (moulin, the French word Mill). The chief is for the Puerto Rican Expedition of 1898. The original name of the island was San Juan, named for the old knights of St. John who wore a white maltese cross on a black habit. The partition line is embattled to suggest the castle on the Spanish arms.
Crest: The crest is for the Indian campaigns of the Regiment; the number of arrows corresponds to the numerical designation of the organization.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 5th Cavalry on 11 June 1921. It was redesignated for the 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 16 December 1953. The insignia was redesignated for the 5th Cavalry on 10 July 1959. It was amended to revise the symbolism on 23 June 1960."
The 6th Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1861. Picture and information from the TIOH site.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6193/6cavregtcoait5.jpg
"Blazon:
Shield: Azure, a unicorn rampant Or.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure an imperial Chinese dragon rampant Or lined Azure, grasping in its dexter claw four arrows Sable, armed and feathered Gules.
Motto: DUCIT AMOR PATRIAE (Led By Love Of Country).
Symbolism:
Shield: The Regiment took part in the eastern campaigns of the Civil War, its outstanding feats being at Williamsburg, Virginia, 1862, when it assaulted intrenched works, and at Fairfield, Pennsylvania, 1863. At Fairfield the unit engaged two enemy brigades of cavalry, completely neutralizing them and saving the supply trains of the Army, but in the process was literally cut to pieces. This is symbolized by the unicorn, held to represent the knightly virtues and, in the rampant position, a symbol of fighting aggressiveness, combined with speed and activity. The shield is blue, the color of the Federal uniform in the Civil War.
Crest: The Chinese dragon represents the Regiment’s entrance into the Forbidden City in Peking in 1900. The arrows symbolize service in the Indian Wars.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 6th Cavalry Regiment on 3 March 1921. It was amended to add a motto on 4 August 1922. It was redesignated for the 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) on 24 July 1944. It was redesignated for the 6th Constabulary Squadron on 18 December 1946. It was redesignated for the 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment on 17 March 1949. The insignia was amended to revise the symbolism on 27 June 1960. The coat of arms was redesignated for the 6th Cavalry Regiment on 9 September 1974."
7th Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1866. Picture and information from the TIOH site.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6816/7cavregtcoary9.jpg
"Blazon:
Shield: Or, on a chevron Azure, between a phoenix rising from its ashes in dexter chief, the head of a North American Indian in war bonnet couped at the neck in sinister chief, all Proper, and a yucca plant Vert in base, seven horseshoes heels upward of the field.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Azure) a dexter arm embowed vested Azure, the hand in a buckskin gauntlet Proper, grasping an old style United States Army saber Argent, hilted Or.
Motto: THE SEVENTH FIRST.
Symbolism:
Shield: The field is yellow, the Cavalry color; the principal charge is a chevron whose origin tradition ascribes to the spur, which was formerly of that shape without rowel. The number of the horseshoes corresponds to the numerical designation of the regiment. The phoenix symbolizes the resurgence of the regiment after its heavy losses in the Battle of Little Big Horn. The Indian head and yucca commemorate Indian campaigns and the Punitive Expedition of 1916, respectively.
Crest: The crest shows the position of “raised saber” taken at the command “Charge” prescribed by General Order 6, Adjutant General Office, 1873, the arm being habited in the uniform of the period.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 7th Cavalry Regiment on 6 December 1920. It was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 16 December 1953. The insignia was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment and the symbolism amended to accurately reflect the losses incurred at the Battle of Little Big Horn on 4 February 1983."
Marcus K;61232 wrote:
—-SNIP—-
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 7th Cavalry Regiment on 6 December 1920. It was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 16 December 1953. The insignia was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment and the symbolism amended to accurately reflect the losses incurred at the Battle of Little Big Horn on 4 February 1983."
Could someone explain to me why the Dept. of the Army would "redsignate" a Cavalry Regiment as "7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)"?
Was it still a cavalry regiment, or had they become infanteers?
Doug Welsh;61265 wrote:
Could someone explain to me why the Dept. of the Army would "redsignate" a Cavalry Regiment as "7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)"?
Was it still a cavalry regiment, or had they become infanteers?
They were still designated a cavalry regiment, but from 1945 were operating with an infantry TO&E (table of organization and equipment). That was a much more sensible solution than the wholesale wreckage of some historic regiments that the Adjutant General’s office engaged in for the sake of pea-brained bureaucratic consistency.
For example (from the Center for Military History’s official page on the lineage of the 6th Cavalry):
Quote:
Regiment broken up 1 January 1944 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows:
<ul class=“bbcode_list”>
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Cavalry Group, Mechanized1st and 2d Squadrons as the 6th and 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons, Mechanized, respectively
After 1 January 1944 the above units underwent changes as follows:
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Cavalry Group, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Constabulary Regiment
Redesignated 2 February 1948 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Troop, 6th Constabulary Regiment
6th and 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as the 6th and 28th Constabulary Squadrons, respectively</ul>
<div class=“bbcode_indent” >
Above units converted and redesignated 20 December 1948 as the 6th Armored Cavalry (Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Troop, 6th Constabulary Regiment, as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Armored Cavalry; 6th and 28th Constabulary Squadrons as the 1st and 2d Battalions, 6th Armored Cavalry, respectively)
</div>
Following all of that? In essence, four years of regimental identity and history in turmoil to end up back at the same place.
Marcus K;61231 wrote:
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/7408/5cavalryregtcoafk8.gif
The cross moline symbolizes the charge of this Regiment on Longstreet’s troops at Gaines Mills in 1862; a charge which saved the Union artillery and which is characterized by the Regimental historian as "its most distinguished service."
The regimental historian must have been desperate to find something distinguished. My kinfolk were in one of the two Confederate infantry brigades that this "charge" was made against. General McClellan, commanding the army, had this to say about the action:
Quote:
This reverse, aided by the confusion that followed an unsuccessful charge by five companies of the Fifth Cavalry, and followed, as it was, by more determined assaults on the remainder of our lines, now outflanked, cause d general retreat from our position to the hill in the rear, overlooking the bridge.
There was quite a to-and-fro between the then-commander of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, Philip St. G. Cooke, and McClellan about whether the cavalry should have been blamed for the fiasco, but there was no dispute at the time but that it was a fiasco. For an on-the-spot, picture, however, here’s what Col George Blake, 1st U.S. Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, wrote immediately after the action:
Quote:
Late in the evening, when our infantry retired before the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, the brigade was ordered upon the hill in rear of the Fifth U.S. Cavalry, with orders to act as a reserve to the Fifth Cavalry, who were ordered to charge the enemy, and, if successful, to take advantage of it and follow it up. The fire of the enemy was so destructive that a charge was not effected.
One of the Confederate soldiers involved wrote after the war to the effect that "We taught the cavalry a lesson, that when infantry are fighting they should just get out of the way."
Oh well, that’s mythology for you. But I think I’d be embarrassed to have such a questionable action commemorated by the main device in my regimental arms.
Well obviously the Regimental Historian of the 5th Cav, didn’t take this into his account. If he had perhaps the Cross Moline would have been left out. Anyway I find the CoA of the 5th Cav rather attractive from a heraldic point of view.
8th Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1866.
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/4451/8cavalryregtcoadp6.gif
"Blazon:
Shield: Azure on a fess Or eight mullets pierced of the field, a demi-horse rampant issuant Argent.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure a grizzly bear passant Sable.
Motto: HONOR AND COURAGE.
Symbolism: The eight mullets show the regimental number and Cavalry tradition ascribing the origin of the pierced mullet to the rowel of a spur. This is further indicated by the horse. The bear is the emblem of California, where the regiment was organized in 1866.
Background: The coat of arms was approved on 29 January 1921. It was amended to correct the symbolism on 10 January 1927."
9th Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1866.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Cav/Image5978.gif
"Blazon:
Shield: Or, on a pile Azure in Chief a sun of eight points of rays between three five-bastioned mullets two and one of the field, in base overall the blockhouse of San Juan Hill, Santiago, Cuba, Proper.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors a horseshoe with nine nail holes heels down Argent winged Purpure debruised by two arrows in saltire Sable armed and flitted Gules.
Motto: WE CAN, WE WILL.
Symbolism:
Shield: The regiment was organized in 1866. The field is yellow for the Cavalry and blue triangle with the sun and three five-pointed stars are from the old flag of the Philippine Insurrection with a change of color. The three stars represent the three tours of duty in the Islands. The blockhouse is the old pride of the regiment, a representation of the actual one which was taken at San Juan, Santiago, Cuba, in 1898. The wedge is blue in color and recalls the fact that the 9th split the Spanish line at Santiago with the capture of the blockhouse when they charged dismounted as Infantry.
Crest: The crest is the well-known Scotch device signifying the alertness of the mounted man and the arrows are for the old Indian campaigns of the regiment.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved on 10 Apr 1922. It was amended on 4 Oct 1922 and further amended on 29 Aug 1924. On 28 May 1951, the coat of arms was redesignated for the 509th Tank Battalion. It was redesignated for the 9th Cavalry on 1 Oct 1958. The coat of arms’ symbolism was amended on 23 Jun 1960."
10th Cavalry Regiment, raised 28 July 1866 as a African-American unit. Was one of the orignal "Buffalo Soldiers" Regiments. Served in the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War. Later relegated to no-combat duties until disbanded in 1944. Reraised in 1958, 1st Sqn served in Vietnam 1969-1972 and in Iraq 2003-2004 and 2005-2006. The Regiment Currently has on Sqn with each of the Brigades of the 4th Infantry Division.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Cav/Image1457.gif
"Blazon:
Shield: Per pale, dexter: paly of thirteen Argent and Gules, a chief Azure charged with a Native American chief’s war bonnet affronté above a tomahawk and stone axe in saltire heads down all Proper, sinister: per fess quarterly Gules and Argent in 1st and 4th a tower Or gated Azure 2d and 3d lion rampant Gules crowned with a ducal cornet Or; on an oval escutcheon Azure a fleur-de-lis Or; and Sable a triangle on its base charged with a sun ombre de soleil Or between three mullets of the like pierced of the field.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Or and Sable an American bison statant guardant Proper.
Motto: READY AND FORWARD.
Background: The coat of arms was approved on 22 Aug 1991."
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, raised 11 March 1910 and is today acctualy of Brigade Strength. Served in the Philippines, World War II, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom. From June to December 2003 members served in Afghanistan training Afghan armoured forces.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Armored/Image1480.gif
"Blazon:
Shield: Or, within an orle Sable in chief two bolos saltirewise Gules hilted Azure and in base a cactus proper.
Crest: Upon a wreath of the colors (Or and Sable) a horse’s head erased Sable.
Motto: ALLONS
Symbolism: The regiment was organized in 1901 and saw service in the Philippines. This is indicated by the crossed bolos with red blades and blue hilts. The regiment rendered very good service on the Mexican Border in 1916 and this is indicated by the cactus. The regimental colors black and yellow are shown by the shield and the black border within the edge and by the color of the crest which shows against the yellow regimental flag.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 11th Cavalry on 25 Aug 1921. It was redesignated for the 11th Armored Cavalry on 26 Nov 1951."
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Armored/Image1479.gif
SSI of the 11th ACR.
"Description: On a shield 2 3/4 inches (6.99cm) in width overall divided diagonally from upper right to lower left, the upper portion red and the lower portion white, a rearing black horse facing to the left all within a 1/8 inch (.32cm) black border.
Symbolism: The colors red and white are the traditional cavalry colors and the rearing black horse alludes to the "Black Horse" nickname of the 11th Armored Cavalry."
Background: This insignia was approved on 1 May 1967.
12th Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1901 (authorized on February 2, it began forming at Ft. Sam Houston, TX on the 8th of the same month). From 1901-1911 the Regiment served at posts in Texas, Georgia and the Philippines. During World War I it served on Border Duties on the Rio Grande and in the Panama Canal Zone, returning to Texas in the 1920ies continuing Border Patrols along the US-Mexican Border. During World War II the Regiment served as Infantry with the 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific. Inactivated in Japan on 29 March 1949 and reactivated on 15 February 1957 as part of 1st Armored Division at Ft. Polk, LA. Inactivated for the period 3 February 1962-1 September 1963.
1st Bn served with the 1st Cav Div in Korea until sent to Vietnam in 1965 from where it returned on 5 May 1971. From 1986-1992 1st Bn trained armoured crews at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Later beeing posted to Ft. Hood, TX. In 2004 the Bn served in Iraq. 2nd Bn served in Vietnam 1965-26 March 1971, then to Ft. Hood where it was busy until inactivated in 1986. reactivated in 1992 the 2nd Bn was deployed to the Gulf several times duting the 1990ies. From October 2006 to December 2007 the Bn served in Baghdad. In March 2008 the 2nd Bn was reflagged as 1st Bn, 77th Armor.
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5559/image177ts4.gif
"Blazon:
Shield: Or, a cactus Vert.
Crest: On a wreath Or and Vert, in front of a wreath of palm branches Proper and superimposed upon a Melanesian war club and a kampilan in saltire Gules, a sun in splendor of eight rays of the first, in chief issuant from a bar wavy Azure a Japanese torii of the fourth enclosing a horseshoe Sable nailed of the first.
Motto: SEMPER PARATUS (Always Ready).
Symbolism:
Shield: The Regiment was organized at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 1901, and spent its first two years at that post. The cactus shows the birthplace of this Regiment, as well as its service on the Mexican border.
Crest: The palm branches represent two Distinguished Unit Streamers awarded the unit for campaigns on Leyte. The sun, adapted from the arms of the Philippines, denotes award of the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The kampilan, a weapon of the Moros, is for early tours of duty during the Philippine Insurrection and the war club represents service in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago where the 12th Cavalry also fought. The unit’s claim that one of its enlisted men was the first to enter Tokyo is noted by the horseshoe (suggesting Cavalry) within the Japanese torii, or temple gateway.
Background: The coat of arms was approved on 14 January 1921. It was amended to change the wording in the symbolism on 28 June 1960. The coat of arms was amended to add a crest on 12 November 1965."
The 13th Cavalry Regiment, raised 2 February 1901. Served in the Philippines 1903-1905 and 1909-1910. From 1911 to 1921 the Regiment served on the US-Mexican Border taking part in the 1916 expedition against Pancho Villa. In the Inter-War years the 13th served in Texas and Kansas. From 1936 it was engaged in development of the US armoured forces beeing redesignated 13th Armor Regiment on 15 July 1940. Served North Africa, Italy and Occupation Duty in Germany until inactivated 20 September 1947. Reactivated as 13th Tank Bn in 1951 becoming 13th Cav again in 2007? It has served in Bosnia in 1997 and in Iraq 2003-2004.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/13CavalryRegtDUI.jpg
The 13th Cav has not got any CoA only a DUI which however can be placed above an empty Shield.
"Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of two Cavalry sabers in saltire Proper, overall a sun in splendor Or charged with the numerals “13” Sable. On a scroll Or suspended from the hilts of the sabers the motto “IT SHALL BE DONE” Sable. All within a wreath of cactus on dexter side, palm on sinister side, Proper.
Symbolism: The sun in splendor is taken from the flag of South Dakota; the wreath shows the Philippine and Mexican Border service.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 13th Cavalry Regiment on 30 August 1922. It was redesignated for the 13th Armored Regiment (Light) on 6 September 1940. It was redesignated for the 13th Armored Regiment on 26 March 1942. It was redesignated for the 13th Medium Tank Battalion on 12 January 1953. The insignia was redesignated for the 13th Cavalry Regiment on 21 April 1958. It was redesignated for the 13th Armor Regiment on 31 January 1962. The insignia was redesignated for the 13th Cavalry Regiment with description updated on 23 May 2007."
14th Cavalry Regiment, raised 2 February 1901. Served in the Philippines 1903-1906 and 1909-1912 then recalled to the US for Border duty on the US-Mexican Border. Participated in the 1916 expedition against Pancho Villa. In 1918 it was ordered to prepare for deployment to Europe, but the Armistice was signed before the Regiment had crossed the Atlantic. So the 14th Cav continued Border Duties until mowed to Ft. Des Moines, Iowa in 1920. Inactivated in 1942 and from it sprang the 14th Armor and later the 14th Cav Group. The 14th Cav Grp sailed for Europe on 28 August 1944 and landed on Omaha Beach on 30 September 1944. In October it was splitt into 18th and 32nd Sqns, but was reassambled again in December 1944. Later was heavily engaged in the "Battle of the Bulge". After the War it remained in Germany first as 14th Constabulary Regt and later as 14th Armd Cav being inactivated in 1972. Reactivated on 15 September 2000.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Graphics/14CavRegtCOA.jpg
"Blazon:
Shield: Or, a bend Azure between a Moro kris paleways point up Sable, and a rattlesnake coiled to strike Proper.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure, a dexter arm embowed habited Azure, the hand gloved in a buckskin gauntlet Proper, grasping a staff erect Sable barbed Or, thereon a standard flotant of the last charged with a horseshoe heels upward encircling the Arabic numeral “14” in Black.
Motto: SUIVEZ MOI (Follow Me).
Symbolism:
Shield: The shield is yellow for cavalry, the bend is in the color of the uniform worn at the time of the regiment’s formation (1901). The kris is for Moro campaigns and the rattlesnake for service on the Mexican border.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 14th Cavalry Regiment on 4 May 1921. It was amended to reword the approval on 1 October 1923. It was redesignated for the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment on 6 April 1949. The coat of arms was redesignated for the 14th Cavalry Regiment on 28 August 2000."
