243rd Quartermaster Battalion, US Army

243RD QUARTERMASTER BATTALION, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Azure, a fess embattled to chief and wavy to base Argent surmounted in pale by a double-warded key erect reversed counterchanged Or and Gules.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Argent and Azure, the Lexington Minute Man Proper. The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor), stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Motto: WE CARRY THE KEY.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, a fess embattled to chief and wavy to base Argent surmounted in pale by a double-warded key erect Or. Attached below the shield a Gold color scroll inscribed “WE CARRY THE KEY” in Red letters.

Origin/meaning

The embattled fess represents the walls of Shuri Castle on Okinawa, the seat of the ancient capitol of the Ryukyu Islands. The lower wavy line stands for the waves of the Pacific Ocean. The key alludes to the action on Okinawa, the last battle of World War II in the Pacific, as the key which unlocked the inner ring of Japanese defenses. It is double-warded in reference to its double symbolism: the unit’s Ryukyus service and its Quartermaster function. The red and white colors allude to Japan. The fess and key together stand for the battalion’s World War II service in Ryukyus.

An Insignia featuring a representation of the geyser “Old Faithful” was authorized for the 243d Quartermaster Battalion (Service) on 21 August 1942. That design was cancelled and the current design authorized for the 243d Quartermaster Battalion on 25 February 1966. The arms were cancelled on 29 April 1970. The Insignia was reinstated and redesignated effective 16 September 1996 for the 243d Quartermaster Battalion. An Insignia featuring a representation of the geyser “Old Faithful” and the motto “ORDINATUS COMMEATUS” (Regular Supply) was authorized for the 243d Quartermaster Battalion (Service) on 21 August 1942. That design was cancelled and the current design authorized for the 243d Quartermaster Battalion on 1 June 1966. The Insignia was redesignated for the 243d Supply and Service Battalion on 29 April 1970. The Insignia was redesignated effective 16 September 1996 for the 243d Quartermaster Battalion. The Insignia was amended to correct the description on 15 January 2004.

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