1st Infantry Division Big Red One, US Army

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1ST INFANTRY DIVISION BIG RED ONE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder sleeve Insignia (SSI). Description: On an olive drab shield, 2 1/2 inches in width and 3 3/4 inches in height overall (the parallel sides 2 1/2 inches in length with a 90 degree angle pointed base) a red Arabic numeral "1" (1 3/4 inches in height overall).

Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI): An oval-shaped gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches in height overall consisting of a gold color metal background encircled by an elliptical band divided horizontally of red enamel to the top and blue enamel to base, inscribed on the blue the motto "VICTORY" in gold color metal letters; centered on the device is the figure from the 1st Division Monument, modelled, in gold color metal, with wings and upraised arms extending over the red enamel portion of the band.

Origin/meaning

The SSI shows the divisional number. The DUI has the following meaning: The colors red and blue are from the distinguishing flags of Infantry Divisions. The figure portion is that of the 1st Infantry Division Monument, located in Washington, D. C.

The SSI was originally approved on 31 October 1918 as a red number "1" for the 1st Division and amended on 31 March 1927 to include the background of the insignia in the design. It was redesignated for the 1st Infantry Division on August 19, 1942. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on December 9, 1930 for elements of the 1st Division. It was redesignated for wear by all non-color-bearing elements of the 1st Infantry Division on September 2, 1965. The distinguished unit insignia was amended on 14 January 1974 to include the symbolism in the design.