72nd Signal Battalion, US Army

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72ND SIGNAL BATTALION, US ARMY

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Per pale Sable and Gules, a fleur-de-lis throughout Or between in chief two fusils pilewise and in fess two mullets Argent.
Crest: From a wreath Or and Sable a staff raguly couped at each end of the like surmounted by two lightning bolts saltirewise of the first.
Motto: Always fit to fight.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a gold fleur-de-lis placed on a trilobate shape divided vertically into black and red areas with a white star between each branch arm, and the tail arms of the fleur-de-lis, and a white fusil radiating outwards between the top of each of the branch arms and the main stem of the fleur-de-lis.

Origin/meaning

The fleur-de-lis represents action in France. Black, red and gold allude to the national colors of Germany and, with white, to the three Germany states with which the battalion's service is associated. The stars allude to the two campaign participation credits earned by the organization. The two fusils are symbolic of radio waves and impulses, a reference to the unit's mission. Gold denotes excellence; red signifies courage. Crest: The ragged staff represents lookout and signal positions and World War II battlefields and their locations in the battle-scarred forests and fields of the European theaters of war. The lightning bolts represent the Signal Corps and the battalion's World War II campaigns. Gold symbolizes excellence; black denotes strength and solidarity.

The Coat of Arms was approved on 14 January 1997, and the Distictive Unit Insignia on 23 August 1966.

Literature: The Institute of Heraldry, US Army