The 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade began its existence as the 514th Coast Artillery Regiment in the Organized Reserves, precursor to today’s Army Reserve. In 1943 the Regiment was broken into several smaller units, with three battalions starting their own lineages and only its HQ and HQ Battery being given the 108th numerical designation (as a Coast Artillery Group). It would not be designated as an Air Defense Artillery (ADA) unit 1974 when it became the 108th Air Defense Artillery Group; it was designated an ADA brigade in 1983.
Campaign credits for the 108th ADA Brigade include four during World War II and eleven during the Vietnam War, where it was honored with a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. More awards include a Navy Presidential Unit Citation for action during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 while attached to the I Marine Expeditionary Force and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its HQ’s service in the Central Command Area of Responsibility in Southwest Asia. As of Autumn 2023, the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade remains an active Army unit and is stationed at Fort Liberty (formerly known as Fort Bragg), North Carolina.
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The 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was approved on 1 November 1968. It features the unit motto, “Deeds Above Words,” inscribed on scrolls at the top and bottom of the insignia, and a gold saltire in the center with a palm shoot and lightning flash superimposed on each arm; the lightning is the muzzle flash of artillery and the palm shoot is emblematic of Vietnam.
Guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.
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