101st Military Intelligence Battalion, US Army

101ST MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Checky Azure and Argent (Silver Gray) in front of a sword and lightning flash in saltire a double warded key palewise Argent, on a chief invected of the like a sunburst throughout Tenné.
Crest: From a wreath Argent and Azure (Oriental Blue), a laurel wreath proper superimposed by two scimitars hilts to base saltirewise Or; overall a rose Gules, fructed Vert and garnished Sable.
Motto: TRUST VIGILANCE LOYALTY.

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: Checky Azure and Argent (Silver Gray) in front of a sword and lightning flash in saltire a double warded key palewise Argent, on a chief invected of the like a sunburst throughout Tenné. Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "TRUST VIGILANCE LOYALTY" in Black letters.

Origin/meaning

Shield: Oriental blue and silver gray are the colors traditionally associated with Military Intelligence. The invected chief is an allusion to clouds and the atmosphere, the main field of operations for a combat electronic warfare intelligence unit. The sunburst, a symbol of Helios, the Greek sun god, is a further reference to the atmosphere. The sunburst may also denote a compass rose and the multi-directional facets of the unit's radio functions. The checky background alludes to a chessboard and symbolizes strategy and intelligence. The sword refers to the unit's military ability, the lightning flash to speed and communications, and the key to intelligence and security.

Crest: The Military Intelligence mission is represented by the rose, symbol for secrecy. The battalion's campaign participation in Gulf War operations is recalled by the scimitars, which also denote readiness. The wreath signifies honor and achievement. Green, scarlet and black refer to the Defense of Kuwait, whose flag displays these colors. The blue and white used on the torse, or wreath, while associated with Military Intelligence, also recall Bavaria, home of the battalion. Gold signifies excellence.

The arms were originally approved on 11 June 1980. It was amended to include a crest on 29 May 2002. The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 6 November 1980.

Literature: Image from Olompvo on Pinterest. DUI from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.