23rd Chemical Battalion, US Army
23RD CHEMICAL BATTALION, US ARMY
 (Coat of Arms) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shield: Azure (Cobalt Blue), a smoke bomb Or bearing a Taeguk superimposed by a lion’s face of the second.
Crest: From a wreath Or and Azure (Cobalt Blue), a wreath of laurel Proper issuing a spearhead per pale Gules and Azure fimbriated of the first enfiling a mural crown Argent.
Motto: TWO JOINED AS ONE.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a gold smoke bomb bearing a Taeguk in proper colors superimposed by a gold lion’s face detailed blue, and attached below the smoke bomb a tripartite blue scroll inscribed “TWO JOINED AS ONE” in gold letters.
Origin/meaning
Shield: Cobalt blue and golden yellow (gold) are the colors traditionally associated with the Chemical Corps. The smoke bomb denotes the unit’s battle history as a “Smoke Generator Battalion,” it is charged with a Taeguk to indicate service in Korea, the four bursts of smoke symbolizing the unit’s four decorations for that service. The lion’s face commemorates European campaigns and service in World War II. Crest: The mural crown, recalling the stone castles of Germany and France, highlights the unit’s service in Europe during World War II. The five battlements of the crown reflect the unit’s European campaigns. The spearhead represents the battalion’s Korean War honors and decorations; red and blue are adapted from the Taeguk, which appears on the Korean coat of arms. The laurel wreath symbolizes honor and high achievement.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: Cobalt blue and golden yellow (gold) are the colors traditionally associated with the Chemical Corps. The smoke bomb denotes the unit’s battle history as a “Smoke Generator Battalion;” it is charged with a Taeguk to indicate service in Korea, the four bursts of smoke symbolizing the unit’s four decorations for that service. The lion’s face commemorates European campaigns and service in World War II.
The coat of arms was approved on 20 September 1995. It was amended to include a crest on 2 October 1996. The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 13 February 1989. The symbolism was amended to correct the colors on 20 September 1995. Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heradlry, US Army.