312th (Infantry) Regiment, US Army

312TH (INFANTRY) REGIMENT, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Azure, on a fess wavy between three fleurs-de-lis, one and two, Argent four lozenges conjoined Gules.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: On a wreath of the colors (Argent 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: AU FEU TOUJOURS (Always at the Fire).

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, on a fess wavy between three fleurs-de-lis, one and two, Argent four lozenges conjoined Gules. Attached below the shield a motto scroll inscribed "AU FEU TOUJOURS" in silver letters.

Origin/meaning

The shield is blue for Infantry. The wavy fess represents the Aire River in France, which the organization crossed October 16, 1918, after desperate fighting. The three fleurs-de-lis symbolize the two major operations and defensive sector. The four lozenges are taken from Sir George Carteret's coat of arms, denoting the allocation of the organization to New Jersey.

The Coat of arms was originally approved on 28 August 1930, for the 312th Regiment Infantry. On 4 December 1959, the insignia was redesignated for the 312th Regiment (AIT). The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on 28 August 1930, for the 312th Regiment Infantry. On 4 December 1959, the insignia was redesignated for the 312th Regiment (AIT).

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