Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, a lightning flash in bend Or.
Symbolism: The scarlet background represents the Field Artillery, while the gold lightning bolt symbolizes the speed and power of the Armored Artillery.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 73rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion on 17 March 1943and re-designated for the 73rd Artillery Regiment on 5 December 1957 It was amended to include the description on 4 September 1959. The insignia was re-designated effective 1 September 1971, for the 73rd Field Artillery Regiment
Coat of arms
Blazon
Shield
Gules, a lightning flash in bend Or.
Crest
On a wreath Or and Gules, issuing from a snowbank Proper behind a caltrop Azure, the Dexter and sinister points each surmounting in base a caltrop counter bend-wise of the first, two cubit arms grasping the halves of a spear broken chevron-wise of the first. Motto SPEED AND POWER ALWAYS.
Symbolism
Shield
The scarlet is for the Field Artillery, the gold lightning bolt is symbolic of the speed and power of the Armored Artillery. Crest The design of the crest alludes primarily to the 73rd Artillery’s participation in the 1944 winter counter offensive against Germany and is symbolized by the caltrops. The two smaller caltrops allude to St. Vith and Echternock, and the larger to Bastogne, the later is blue in reference to the Distinguished Unit Citation awarded the battalion for its role in the defense of Bastogne. The snow refers to the severe winter weather during the period the battalion made its stand against the German counter offensive and is symbolized by two arms breaking a spear. Had it not been for this delaying action the Germans would have taken Bastogne before the 101st Airborne Division arrived.
Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 73rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion on 17 March 1943. It was re-designated for the 73rd Artillery Regiment on 5 December 1957. It was amended to include the description of the shield on 4 September 1959. It was amended to include a crest and motto on 8 January 1965. The insignia was re-designated effective 1 September 1971, for the 73rd Field Artillery Regiment.
