431st Civil Affairs Battalion, US Army
431ST CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION, US ARMY
 (Coat of Arms) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shield: Sable, a terrestrial globe Purpure gridlined Argent, issuant to chief therefrom a sun in its splendor Proper charged with a crescent Gules; overall a lightning flash Or and a parchment scroll Argent saltirewise surmounted by a sword of the third point up hilt yellow fimbriated red grip yellow.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: On a wreath of the colors, Argent and Sable, 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: MAKING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS
Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI). Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Sable, a terrestrial globe Purpure gridlined Argent, issuant to chief therefrom a sun in its splendor Proper charged with a crescent Gules; overall a lightning flash Or and a parchment scroll white saltirewise surmounted by a sword point up throughout of the third. Attached below the shield is a black scroll inscribed "MAKING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS" in silver letters
Origin/meaning
The black shield symbolizes solidity, strength, and responsibility necessary to fulfill the Civil Affairs mission. Purple and white represent the Civil Affairs Branch. The sun refers to the universal need for service and sustenance and, with black, alludes to day and night responsiveness to mission needs. The crescent and world reflect the unit's campaign credit for Southwest Asia service. The lightning flash denotes speedy response; the sword indicates readiness. The parchment scroll signifies the administrative expertise common to Civil Affairs operation. Gold denotes excellence.
The Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 31 October 1996. Literature: DUI Image from Wikimedia Commons. Coat of Arms Image and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.