The Patriot Files

Women's Army Corps (Obsol

David — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:23:42 -0800

by: David

Description: WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS Branch Insignia: The head of "Pallas Athene," 1 1/8 inches in height, of gold color metal. The head of "Pallas Athene" was approved as the insignia for the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942. Pallas Athene was a goddess associated with an impressive variety of womanly virtues. She was the goddess of handicrafts, wise in industries of peace and arts of war, also the goddess of storms and battle, who led through victory to peace and prosperity. The design was retained by the Women's Army Corps when it was established in 1943. The Women's Army Corps was disestablished as a separate corps of the Army on 20 October 1978. Branch Colors: Mosstone green and old gold.

Armor Branch Insignia

David — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:23:30 -0800

by: David

Description: ARMOR Branch Insignia: The front view of an M-26 tank, gun slightly raised, superimposed on two crossed cavalry sabers in scabbards, cutting edge up, 13/16 inch in height overall, of gold color metal. The Armor insignia, approved in 1950, consists of the traditional crossed sabers (originally adopted for the cavalry in 1851) on which the M-26 tank is superimposed. The design symbolizes the traditional and current roles of armor. Branch Plaque: The plaque design has the branch insignia, letters and border in gold. The background is green. Regimental Insignia: Personnel assigned to the Armor branch affiliate with a specific regiment and wear the insignia of the affiliated regiment. Regimental Coat of Arms: There is no standard armor regimental flag to represent all of the armor regiments. Each regiment of armor has its own coat of arms which appears on the breast of a displayed eagle. The background of all the armor regimental flags is yellow. Branch Colors: Yellow. 65002 cloth; 67108 yarn; 123 PMS. In March 1855, two regiments of cavalry were created and their trimmings were to be of "yellow." In 1861, the designation of dragoon and mounted rifleman disappeared, all becoming Cavalry with "yellow" as their colors. Armor was assigned the colors green and white by Circular 49 on 21 February 1947. When the Cavalry branch was abolished, the present Armor was assigned the former Cavalry color yellow by SR 600-60-1 dated 26 October 1951. Birthday: 12 December 1775. The Armor branch traces its origin to the Cavalry. A regiment of cavalry was authorized to be raised by the Continental Congress Resolve of 12 December 1775. Although mounted units were raised at various times after the Revolution, the first unit in continuous service was the United States Regiment of Dragoons, organized in 1833. The Tank Service was formed 5 March 1918. The Armored Force was formed on 10 July 1940. Armor became a permanent branch of the Army in 1950.

Civil Affairs Branch Insi

David — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:23:30 -0800

by: David

Description: CIVIL AFFAIRS Branch Insignia: On a globe 5/8 inch in diameter, a torch of liberty one inch in height surmounted by a scroll and a sword crossed in saltire, all of gold color. In 1955, The Civil Affairs and Military Government Branch, USAR, was established. On 30 April 1956, the Office of Civil Affairs and Military Government gave concurrence in the design (gold global background with gold torch, sword and scroll superimposed thereon). The Department of the Army General Staff approved the design on 1 June 1956. The branch was redesignated to Civil Affairs USAR on 2 October 1959. The globe indicates the worldwide areas of Civil Affairs operations. The torch is from the Statue of Liberty, a symbol associated with the spirit of the United States. It also represents the enlightened performance of duty. The scroll and sword depict the civil and military aspects of the organization's mission. The insignia was authorized for wear by all personnel assigned to Regular Army Civil Affairs TOE units on 13 October 1961. Branch Plaque: The plaque design has the branch insignia, letters, and border in white and the background is purple. Regimental Insignia: A silver and gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height consisting of a shield, crest and motto. The insignia is blazoned as follows: Purpure, a scroll and sword saltirewise, and overall a torch palewise or; a bordure Argent. Attached below the shield, a silver scroll inscribed "SECURE THE VICTORY" in black letters. The crest above the shield: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Purpure), a globe Celeste gridlined Argent superimposed by a dexter gauntlet argent holding a balance scale Or. The Regimental Insignia was approved on 14 April 1989. Regimental Coat of Arms: The coat of arms appears on the breast of a displayed eagle on the regimental flag. The coat of arms is: Purpure, a scroll and sword saltirewise, and overall a torch palewise Or; a bordure Argent. Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Purpure) a globe Celeste gridlined Argent superimposed by a dexter gauntlet Proper holding a balance scale Or. The regimental flag has a purple background and white fringe. Symbolism of Regimental Insignia: Purple and white are the colors traditionally associated with Civil Affairs. Gold is emblematic of honor and achievement. The scroll, sword and torch are adapted from the Civil Affairs branch insignia and denote the branch-wide scope and application of the design. The scroll and sword depict the civil and military aspects of the organization. The torch refers to the Statue of Liberty, a symbol associated with the spirit of democracy of the United States. The border emphasizes unity, continuity and the whole regimental concept. Crest: The scales represent balance and normality; the gauntlet denotes the military's role in establishing, administering and protecting the equilibrium. The globe signifies the extensive scope of the mission of the Civil Affairs Regiment. Branch Colors: Purple piped with white. Purple - 65009 cloth; 67115 yarn; PMS 267. White - 65005 cloth; 67101 yarn; PMS white. The colors were approved for Civil Affairs units in June 1956. Birthday: 17 August 1955. For many years prior to the establishment of the Civil Affairs/Military Government Branch as an Army Reserve branch on 17 August 1955, dedicated civil affairs professionals had contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the Army mission. Subsequently redesignated the Civil Affairs Branch on 2 October 1959, it has continued to enhance the traditions of expertise and thoroughness. It has been tasked to provide guidance to commanders in a broad spectrum of activities ranging from host-guest relationships to the assumption of executive, legislative and judicial processes in occupied or liberated areas.

Coast Artillery (Obsolete

David — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:23:30 -0800

by: David

Description: COAST ARTILLERY Branch Insignia: Two crossed field guns, gold colored metal, with a scarlet oval with a gold projectile at the intersection of the field guns, 13/16 of an inch in height overall. Crossed cannons (field guns) for Artillery have been in continuous use since 1834, when they were placed on regimental colors, knapsacks, and as part of the cap insignia for Artillery officers. In 1901, the Artillery was divided into Coast and Field Artillery and the branch insignia was modified by the addition of a plain scarlet oval at the intersection of the cannons. The Field Artillery insignia approved on 17 July 1902 had a gold wheel on the red oval and the Coast Artillery had a gold projectile on the red oval. The Army Mine Planter Service was authorized this insignia with a mine case below the insignia by War Department Circular 25, dated 17 January 1920. The Army Reorganization Act of 1950 consolidated the Coast and Field Artillery to form the Artillery Arm and the crossed cannons were designated its insignia on 19 December 1950. Branch Colors: Scarlet

Military Police Corps Bra

David — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:23:30 -0800

by: David

Description: MILITARY POLICE CORPS Branch Insignia: Two crossed gold color metal pistols 3/4 inch in height. The insignia was approved in 1922. The old-type pistol sometimes referred to as the Harper's Ferry Pistol (made at the Harper's Ferry Arsenal), was selected because it was the first American Military pistol and remained the Army model for many years. The parts of this weapon were standardized and interchangeable, thereby marking an advance in arms. Branch Plaque: The plaque design has the branch insignia, letters and rim in gold. The background is green. Regimental Insignia: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: Vert, a fasces palewise, axe Or and rods Proper (brown), thereover in fess a balance and in saltire overall a key with bow in sinister base and a sword with hilt in dexter base all of the second. The shield is enclosed at bottom and sides by a gold scroll of three folds inscribed, ''ASSIST PROTECT DEFEND," in green letters and surmounted at the top by two crossed gold pistols. The regimental insignia was approved on 3 July 1986. Regimental Coat of Arms: The coat of arms appears on the breast of a displayed eagle on the regimental flag. The coat of arms is: Vert, a fasces palewise, axe Or and rods Proper (brown); thereover in fess a balance and in saltire overall a key with bow in sinister base and a sword with hilt in dexter base all of the second. The crest (On a wreath of the colors Or and Vert a pair of crossed pistols of the first) is displayed above the eagle's head. The background color of the flag is green and the fringe is yellow. The coat of arms was approved on 2 May 1986. Symbolism of Regimental Insignia: Green and yellow are the colors associated with the Military Police Corps. The fasces is an ancient symbol of authority related to a Roman magistrate. The balance is symbolic of equal justice under law and the key signifies security. The sword represents the military. The crossed pistols are the symbol of the Military Police Corps mission: to uphold the law and to keep order. The motto "ASSIST PROTECT AND DEFEND" reflects the mission. Branch Colors: Green piped with yellow. Green - 65007 cloth; 67129 yarn; PMS 357. Yellow - 65002 cloth; 67108 yarn; PMS 123. The color yellow piped with green was assigned to the Military Police by AR 600-35 dated 20 April 1922. With the establishment of yellow for the Armor and the use of green for the insignia on the Armor flag, the colors for the Military Police were reversed. The current colors, green piped with yellow, were assigned by regulation 600-60-1 dated 26 October 1951. Birthday: 26 September 1941. A Provost Marshal General's Office and Corps of Military Police was established in 1941. Prior to that time, except during the Civil War and World War I, there was no regularly-appointed Provost Marshal General or regularly constituted Military Police Corps, although a "Provost Marshal" can be found as early as January 1776, and a Provost Corps as early as 1778.

Signal Corps Branch Insig

David — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:23:30 -0800

by: David

Description: SIGNAL CORPS Branch Insignia: Two signal flags crossed, dexter flag white with a red center, the sinister flag red with a white center, staffs gold, with a flaming torch of gold color metal upright at center of crossed flags; 7/8 inch in height. "Crossed flags" have been used by the Signal Corps since 1868, when they were prescribed for wear on the uniform coat by enlisted men of the Signal Corps. A burning torch was added to the insignia and the present design adopted on 1 July 1884. The flags and torch are symbolic of signaling or communication. Branch Plaque: The plaque design has the branch insignia proper (red, white and gold) with gold letters. The outer rim is gold with a narrow band of orange. The background is white. Regimental Insignia: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height consisting of a gold eagle grasping a horizontal baton from which is suspended a red signal flag with a white center, enclosing the flag from a star at the bottom, a wreath of laurel all gold and at top left and right a white scroll inscribed, "PRO PATRIA," at left and, "VIGILANS," at right in gold. The regimental insignia was approved on 20 March 1986. Regimental Coat of Arms: The coat of arms appears on the breast of a displayed eagle on the regimental flag. The coat of arms is: Argent, within a bordure Tenne, a baton fesswise Or and suspended therefrom a signal flag Gules charged at center with a square of the first, in chief a mullet bronze. Displayed above the eagle's head is the crest (On a wreath of the Argent and Tenne, a dexter hand couped at the wrist, clenched, palm affronte, grasping three forked lightning flashes, all Proper, flashes Argent). Symbolism of Regimental Insignia: The gold eagle holds in his talons a golden baton, from which descends a signal flag. The design originated in 1865 from a meeting of Signal Corps officers, led by Major Albert Myer, the Chief Signal Officer, in Washington, D.C. The badge was a symbol of faithful service and good fellowship for those who served together in war and was called the "Order of the Signal Corps." The motto "PRO PATRIA VIGILANS" was adopted from the Signal School insignia and serves to portray the cohesiveness of Signal soldiers and their affiliation with their regimental home. The gold laurel wreath depicts the myriad of achievements through strength made by the Corps since its inception. The battle star centered on the wreath represents formal recognition for participation in combat. It adorned a Signal flag and was first awarded to Signal Corps soldiers in 1862. The battle star typifies the close operational relationship between the combined arms and the Signal Corps. The coat of arms has the Signal flag suspended from a baton, which was adopted from the badge that originated in 1865 and was called the "Order of the Signal Corps." The bronze battle star represents formal recognition for participation in combat; it adorned a Signal flag and was first awarded to Signal Corps soldiers in 1862. Orange and white are the traditional colors of the Signal Corps. The hand on the crest, personifying the Corps, has grasped the lightning from the heavens and is applies to military communications. Branch Colors: Orange piped with white. Orange - 65004 cloth; 67110 yarn; PMS 1655. White - 65005 cloth; 67101 yarn; PMS White. Orange was selected in 1872 as the Signal Corps branch color. In 1902, the white piping was added to conform to the prevailing custom of having piping of a different color for all branches except the line branches. Birthday: 21 June 1860. The Signal Corps was authorized as a separate branch of the Army by Act of Congress on 3 March 1863. However, the Signal Corps dates its existence from 21 June 1860 when Congress authorized the appointment of one signal officer in the Army, and a War Department order carried the following assignment: "Signal Department - Assistant Surgeon Albert J. Myer to be Signal Officer, with the rank of Major, June 17, 1860, to fill an original vacancy."