Coast Artillery Corps

The Coast Artillery Corps was a branch of the U.S. Army responsible for defending the coastlines and strategic locations with large, powerful guns designed to target ships and enemy vessels before they could reach Allied shores. Active primarily from 1901 to 1950, it operated heavy artillery units stationed at forts and harbor defenses, playing a crucial role in coastal and harbor security during World War I and World War II. The Corps also managed anti-aircraft defenses and later transitioned to missile systems as technology advanced, eventually being merged into other branches as coastal defense needs changed.