17th Field Artillery Brigade, US Army

17TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

(Brigade Colour)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a red shield arched at top and bottom, 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height overall, a vertical yellow thunderbolt between saltirewise four yellow flashes terminating in arrowheads; all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border.

Distinctive Unit Insaignia, Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/8 inches (3.49 cm) in width overall consisting of a gold fleur-de-lis and arrowhead on a light blue background, above and below a gold horizontal band, nebuly at the top and wavy in base, bearing a horizontal black thunderbolt with red flames at either end, and issuing from the corners of the band and forming an apex above and below four red lightning flashes.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Scarlet and yellow are the colors used for Artillery. The thunderbolt and flashes are symbolic of the awesome firepower of Artillery. Additionally, during World War I the organization was a part of the 17th Division (Thunderbolt).

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Scarlet and yellow are the colors used for Artillery. The fleur-de-lis alludes to France, the lightning flashes and arrowhead represent graphically and numerically the striking force of Artillery and the five campaigns credited the unit during World War II, with an arrowhead award for Normandy. The nebuly, a symbol for air, and the wavy for water are indicative of the vast range capabilities of the Artillery, and the “Thunderbolt” alludes to the organization’s distinguished association as part of the “17th Division (Thunderbolt)” during World War I.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was approved on 19 July 1978. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 15 March 1979.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.