455th Chemical Brigade, US Army

455TH CHEMICAL BRIGADE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: A golden yellow rectangle arced at top and bottom with a 1/8 inch (.32cm) cobalt blue border 2 inches (5.08cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62cm) in height overall bearing a green dragon's head erased with a light green chest, golden yellow eye, cobalt blue pupil, white teeth and a scarlet tongue and barbs.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a gold dragon's head upon a gold rayed background enclosed by a blue benzene ring; superimposed in base by a green scroll doubled and inscribed "PROTECTING THE FORCE" in gold.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Cobalt blue and yellow are the colors traditionally used Chemical units. The dragon, a legendary creature, symbolizes the fire and destruction of chemical warfare.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Cobalt blue and golden yellow/gold are the colors traditionally used by Chemical organizations. The dragon, a legendary creature, symbolizes the fire and destruction of chemical warfare. The benzene ring adapted from the Chemical Corps insignia of branch encloses a rayed background which suggests an explosion commemorating the unit's campaign service during World War II.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 25 August 1999.

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