7th Cavalry Regiment, US Army

7TH CAVALRY REGIMENT, US ARMY

History : Constituted 28 July 1866 as 7th Cavalry. Organized 21 September 1866 at Fort Riley, Kansas. Reorganized as Infantry 20 July 1945. Reorganized 1 November 1957 to conform with the Combat Arms Regimental System.

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Or, on a chevron Azure, between a phoenix rising from its ashes in dexter chief, the head of a North American Indian in war bonnet couped at the neck in sinister chief, all Proper, and a yucca plant Vert in base, seven horseshoes heels upward of the field.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Azure) a dexter arm embowed vested Azure, the hand in a buckskin gauntlet Proper, grasping an old style United States Army saber Argent, hilted Or
Motto: THE SEVENTH FIRST.

Origin/meaning

Shield: The field is yellow, the Cavalry color; the principal charge is a chevron whose origin tradition ascribes to the spur, which was formerly of that shape without rowel. The number of the horseshoes corresponds to the numerical designation of the regiment. The phoenix symbolizes the resurgence of the regiment after its heavy losses in the Battle of Little Big Horn. The Indian head and yucca commemorate Indian campaigns and the Punitive Expedition of 1916, respectively. The crest shows the position of “raised saber” taken at the command “Charge” prescribed by General Order 6, Adjutant General Office, 1873, the arm being habited in the uniform of the period.