52nd Medical Battalion, US Army
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52ND MEDICAL BATTALION, US ARMY
Official blazon
Shield: Sanguine, a battle-axe with fracted handle bendwise the pieces overlapping and bound together by a snake Argent.
Crest: From a wreath Argent and Sanguine, six arrows saltirewise of the first surmounted by a cross per quarterly of the like and of the second fimbriated Or bearing a Taeguk fimbriated and radiating four demi-fleurs-de-lis crosswise of the like.
Motto: MAINTAIN THE FIGHTING STRENGTH.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall, blazoned: Sanguine, a battle-axe with fracted handle bendwise, the pieces overlapping and bound together by a snake Argent.
Origin/meaning
The shield is maroon, the first named color of the Medical Department. The battle-axe with broken handle represents the fighting strength of the military forces impaired by sickness or injury. The snake, symbolizing the Medical Department in its function of mending and healing, is shown as binding together the pieces of the broken handle and restoring the weapon to combat efficiency. Crest: Maroon and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Medical Corps. The cross refers to the medical mission and its two colors represent the campaign participation credits earned by the unit in World War II and the Korean War. The fleurs-de-lis highlight the World War II campaigns in Europe. The six arrows commemorate the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the five Meritorious Unit Commendations awarded to the organization. The Taeguk underscores the numerous awards and decorations earned for Korean War service.
The Coat of Arms was originally approved on 9 August 1941. It was rescinded on 14 December 1951. The Coat of Arms was reinstated and amended to include a Crest on 7 August 2003. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on 9 August 1941. It was rescinded on 27 February 1951. It was reinstated on 23 October 1952. The insignia was amended to correct the description and add a symbolism on 16 January 1987.
Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons. Inforamtion from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army