40th Engineer Battalion, US Army

40TH ENGINEER BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Gules, a chevronel enhanced in base a ram's head affronté erased Argent.
Crest: None.
Motto: CONSTRUCTIO ET DESTRUCTIO (Construction and Destruction).

Distinctive Unit Insignia, Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall, consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, a chevronel enhanced in base a ram's head affronté erased Argent. Attached below the shield a Silver motto scroll inscribed "CONSTRUCTIO ET DESTRUCTIO" in Red letters.

Origin/meaning

Scarlet and white are colors traditionally associated with the Engineer Corps. The chevronel is the same shape as a gable rafter, representing construction, while the ram's head represents destruction.

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 348th Engineer Regiment, Organized Reserves on 5 December 1925. It was redesignated for the 348th Engineer Regiment, Regular Army Inactive, with the crest deleted, on 5 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 348th Engineer Combat Battalion on 4 June 1943. The coat of arms was redesignated with symbolism revised for the 40th Engineer Battalion on 8 October 1991. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 348th Engineer Regiment, Organized Reserves on 5 December 1925. It was redesignated for the 348th Engineer Regiment, Regular Army Inactive on 15 August 1942. The insignia was redesignated for the 40th Engineer Battalion, with description and symbolism revised on 5 November 1991.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons.