Oregon Army National Guard, US

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OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, US

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

(Crest)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a blue shield with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) blue border, 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 5/8 inches (6.67 cm) in width, consisting of a yellow demi-sun superimposed by the black silhouette of two diagonally crossed bayonets and at base a white wavy bar, all below a white stylized profile of Mount Hood.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height consisting of a gold demi-sun with small pointed rays and issuant therefrom upwards, fanwise, seventeen scarlet rays their ends squared off and the one at center charged with a gold five-pointed star within an annulet just above the head of a brown beaver seated erect in front of the sun and rays, holding between his forepaws a gold semicircular scroll curving across his shoulder and inscribed in blue letters "EMPIRE BUILDERS," the scroll ends crossing in base beneath the sun and beaver, his tail slightly overlapping. The insignia will be manufactured in pairs.

Crest. Description: That for regiments and separate battalions of the Oregon Army National Guard: From a wreath of colors, a demi-disc Gules charged with the setting sun with twelve light rays Or (the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 41st Division), behind a beaver sejant Proper.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The colors blue and yellow/gold are adapted from the State Flag of Oregon; gold is emblematic of honor and high achievement, blue denotes loyalty and devotion. The demi-sun symbolizes the West Coast and the setting sun. The Pacific Ocean and the mighty Columbia River are represented by blue and the wavy bar. The bayonets emphasize the Oregon Army National Guard's combat readiness. The Mount Hood profile is one of the Oregon's most recognizable landmarks. A shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Oregon National Guard on 23 January 1950. It was redesignated with description amended for Headquarters, State Area Command, Oregon Army National Guard on 30 December 1983. A new design was approved on 26 September 1990. The insignia was amended to revise the symbolism of the design on 10 December 1991. The insignia was amended to correct the width of the insignia and the color of the crossed bayonets on 3 January 2002.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: The beaver, a native animal depicted on the State's flag as well as on the Oregon Army National Guard crest, alludes to Oregon's nickname of "The Beaver State." The demi-sun refers to Oregon's location on the nation's western horizon, and the extended scarlet rays denote courage and hardiness as well as the ideals and ambitions of the pioneers who struggled to settle there. The encircled star above the beaver refers to the city of Salem, which is the State's capital. The words of the motto, "Empire Builders," are taken from the first phrase of the State song. A distinctive unit insignia was approved for the noncolor and nonstandard bearing units of the Oregon National Guard on 15 March 1929. That insignia was cancelled and a new design approved for the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and noncolor bearing units of the Oregon Army National Guard on 19 November 1970. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 October 1982, for Headquarters, State Area Command, Oregon Army National Guard.

Crest: The setting sun alludes to the Northwest, the station of the 41st Division, of which the majority of Oregon troops are a part. The beaver superimposed upon the face of the setting sun alludes to the State itself. The crest for color bearing organizations of the State of Oregon was approved on 24 May 1924. It was amended to change the description on 26 September 1925.