494th Support Battalion, US Army

494TH SUPPORT BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Per chevron Azure and Gules, a chevron enhanced Or, between in chief a havette fesswise of the thord and in abse two barongs in saltire, the pommel and hilt of the last and the blades Argent, surmounted by a grab of weath Buff.
Crest: That for regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Or and Azure, the Lexington Minute Man Proper. The Statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor), stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Motto: Wherever needed.

Distinctive Unit Insignia, Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a greb of wheat between two Philippine barongs all gold on a blue background beneath a gold havette, pendant therefrom a gold scroll bearing the inscription "WHEREVER NEEDED" in red letters.

Origin/meaning

Buff and Red are the colours of Support Units. The Havette (Habick) and instrument used in the making of cloth and the Grab of Wheat, symbolises the procurement mission when the Unit was a Quartermaster Battalion. The Chevron symbolises the current support mission. The Barongs symbolises service in the Philippines during World War II.

The arms were approved on 11 January 2007. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 494th Quartermaster Battalion on 14 Novemebr 1967. It was redesignated for the 494th Support Battalion on 11 January 2007.

Literature: Images and further information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.