48th Chemical Brigade, US Army

48TH CHEMICAL BRIGADE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a yellow embroidered hexagon edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) blue border, a pyramid of red flames issuing from base, surmounted by a sword throughout and point up, with yellow pommel, hilt, and handguard, the blade white between four red droplets, two and two. Overall dimensions are 2 1/8 inches (5.40 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62 cm) in length.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) overall consisting of a rampant green dragon grasping in its left claw a gold sword, point up, all within a blue benzene ring, bearing around the benzene ring five gold stars. Attached below the device, a blue scroll inscribed “TO PROTECT THE NATION” in gold.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Cobalt blue and yellow are the colors traditionally associated with Chemical units. The benzene ring is adapted from the branch insignia. The flames suggest the mission of the Brigade. The sword represents military readiness. The red droplets imply the method of distributing chemicals. The four droplets and the eight flame licks allude to the unit’s numerical designation.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Cobalt blue and yellow are the colors traditionally associated with Chemical units. The green dragon grasping the sword alludes to the chemical operations of the Brigade and the unit’s mission to combat chemical and biological warfare. The benzene ring is adapted from the branch insignia. The five stars symbolize the chemical battalions subordinate to the Brigade.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and the Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved effective 16 September 2007.

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