UBB.threads Forums General Militaria United States Militaria US Army Collar Discs

For those who served in the US Army or collect the Branch discs, check out the gallery HERE

Very nice display!

Thanks. I find a new one every now and then but I think the gallery includes most of the variations

Vern,

Air Defense Artillery started in 1965.

Dave

While the Air Defense Artillery Command was organized earlier, according to the Army Field Manual 44-100, the Air Defense Artillery insignia was not authorized until 1 December 1968. In the Gallery, the dates are when that type disc was officially authorized. The type 3b discs were made the standard in 1970 even though they were available for private purchase much earlier. In the type 5 section, the Air Defense Artillery disc is shown as starting in 1968

Vern,

The change was made in September of 1965 or earlier.

Until then, I was in Germany in the 196th Ordnance Detachment APO NY 09028. We were attached to the 1St Missile Battalion, 67th Artillery to repair their Nike Hercules radar, missiles, launchers, and other electronics. We worn the Seventh army patch and wore Ordnance Corps brass.

In September 1965, we became Direct Support Platoon, Hq & Hq Battery, 1st Missile Battalion, 67th Artillery. We changed our shoulder patch to that of the 32nd Army Air Defense Command and switched our brass to Air Defense Artillery.

Below is a photo from Dec 1966 when I got out. Below that is a close up of the brass.

Nice photo! An internet search comes up with the 1968 December insignia authorization date. HERE is the link to the article. Were the discs issued or private purchase?

Mine were issued, along with the 32nd Army Air Defense Command patches which replaced the 7th Army patch we previously wore.

If you dig enough, you'll find a key date: 20 August, 1965. That is the date when the Missile Battalions were re-designated.

The 1st Missile Battalion of the 67th Artillery Regiment became the 1st Battalion of the 67th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. In other words, it went from being a specialized battalion of regular artillery to a regular battalion of a new branch of artillery.

Very interesting. One of several examples of a collar disc design being available before it was "officially" authorized. Similar to the Type 3b collar disc, which first started to appear late/post WW2 but were not officially authorized until 1970