243rd Coast Artillery (United States)

The 243rd Coast Artillery was a regiment of the United States Army that served during World War II. It was a harbor defense regiment, responsible for manning coastal fortifications and protecting vital ports along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

The regiment was activated from elements of the Massachusetts National Guard in the early 1940s, as the threat of war in Europe and Asia grew. Its primary mission was to operate the large-caliber guns and supporting infrastructure of the coastal defense system. The specific batteries and locations assigned to the 243rd Coast Artillery varied over the course of the war, depending on strategic needs and the perceived threat levels to different areas.

The regiment's personnel consisted of both regular Army soldiers and National Guard troops. They underwent extensive training in gunnery, fire control, communications, and maintenance of the complex coastal defense equipment. While the 243rd Coast Artillery remained stationed stateside throughout World War II and did not engage in direct combat with enemy forces, its presence and readiness contributed significantly to the overall defense of the United States. Their service allowed other units to deploy overseas, secure in the knowledge that American ports and coastal areas were protected.

Following the end of World War II, the 243rd Coast Artillery, like many other coast artillery units, was inactivated as the role of large coastal guns diminished in the face of new technologies such as long-range bombers and guided missiles. The regiment's history reflects the strategic importance of coastal defense during a crucial period in American history.