404th Civil Affairs Battalion, US Army

404TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Purpure, a writing quill palewise surmounted by two scimitars saltirewise hilts to base Argent, overall a hurt charged with a Roman legionnaire's helmet Or.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Argent and Purpure, 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: SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE

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: Purpure, a writing quill palewise surmounted by two scimitars saltirewise hilts to base Argent, overall a hurt charged with a Roman legionnaire's helmet Or, all encircled in base by a red scroll inscribed "SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE" in silver.

Origin/meaning

Purple and white are the colors traditionally associated with Civil Affairs. The hurt (disc), adapted from the Civil Affairs insignia of branch, represent a globe, and refers to the unit's ability to deploy worldwide. The helmet alludes to the ancient Roman's expertise in civil affairs matters and their recognition of its importance in successful government, an awareness shared by the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion. The crossed scimitars denote the unit's baptism of fire and service in Southwest Asia. The quill refers to the branch insignia.

The Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 2 February 1995.

Literature: DUI Image from Wikimedia Commons. Coat of Arms Image and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.