1934 US COAST ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION TROPHY 507th AA Bronze Plaque Award GORHAM
This one was awarded to the 507th Coast Artillery (AA) For Outstanding Performance In The Coast Artillery Corps 1934. The brass portion was made by GORHAM. I don’t know much about the history of this award. The Coast Artillery formed in 1901 and ended in 1950. I was told these awards began around 1932. I’d be willing to bet none were presented after 1941. During certain years, more than one award was given. I believe two were awarded in 1934. This plaque was presented by Colonel Wilson the 7th Corps Chief of Staff and awarded to the 507th. The 507th CO and XO had their name plates added to the bottom of this plaque. The plaque came from the estate of the CO’s family. Thanks to a good friend, he found a news article from the Des Moines Tribune showing Colonel Wilson presenting this EXACT plaque. I could find only one plaque known to exist. It is in a New York museum. It is shown as belonging to the Old Guard of The City of New York and was presented to the 244th Coast Artillery T. You can see the pictures online. The wood portion of my plaque measures 23 1/2 inches tall, 19 1/4 inches wide and 5/8 inches thick. The bronze portion measures 19 3/4 inches tall, 14 1/4 inches wide and 5/16 inch thick. The entire piece weighs just under 16 pounds. I found some information on the 507th: 507th Coast Artillery (AA) Regiment (SM) Constituted in OR 7-29-21 as 507th Arty, CAC, and allotted to the Seventh Corps Area. Des Moines, IA, March 1922. Redesignated 507th CA (AA) 1924. Withdrawn from OR 8-18-33 and allotted to the RA as an inactive unit. Moved to Minneapolis 9-30-40. Redesignated 507th CA (AA) Regt (SM) 5-9-42 and activated (less Btry I) 8-1-42 at Cp. Reorganized 10-10-42 as 507th CA (AA) Regt (Mobile). Moved to North Long Beach, CA, 1-20-43 to establish AA positions. HHB redesignated HHB, 507th AAA Gp; 1st Bn redesignated 220th AAA (Gun) Bn; 2nd Bn redesignated 643rd AAA (AW) Bn; 3rd Bn redesignated 367th AAA (SL) Bn. The newspaper clippings are NOT in my possession. They were sent to me by a friend who found them online. What you see is what you’ll get. Feel Free To Ask Questions.