4th US Army

4TH US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Description: On a red square 2 inches (5.08cm) on a side, a white four-leaf clover with stem, 1 3/8 inches (3.49cm) across leaves, stem to bottom - the square to be worn point up.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height overall consisting of a red enamel square one angle up bearing a white enamel four-leaf clover with stem to base in front of and extending over a blue (ultramarine) enamel disc, between at top and in base arced gold motto scrolls, that at top crossing over the square in front of the angle, curving downward and terminating at the upper sides of the square, and that in base crossing over the square in front of the angle and terminating at the lower sides of the square, the scroll at the top inscribed "Leadership" and that in base "And Integrity" all in red enamel letters.

Origin/meaning

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia alludes to the Number 4. Red and White are the Colours used by Armies.

Distincitive Unit Insignia: The design was suggested by the shoulder sleeve insignia of the Fourth U. S. Army modified by the white four-leaf clover with stem being placed in front of and over a blue disc which alludes to the waters of the Pacific and Pacific Coast and the bluebonnet, the State flower of Texas.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally approved for Fourth Army on 26 January 1927. The insignia was redesignated for Fourth United States Army on 4 October 1957. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally authorized on 16 Jan 1969. It was amended on 25 Sep 1969 to correct the symbolism of the design.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.