405th Civil Affairs Battalion, US Army

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405TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION, US ARMY

Arms of 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, US Army

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Argent, three piles meeting in point to fess Purpure, in base two lightning flashes radiating outwards from base point Gules, overall a scroll of the first superimposed by a sword Or with a hilt of the second.
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: SECURE, SERVE, STABILIZE.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a vertical purple sword with gold blade in front of a vertical white scroll and radiant from base two red lightning flashes all in front of gold rays radiant from base; all enclosed by a circular purple scroll, ends terminating at each side of the blade at the apex, and inscribed “SECURE SERVE STABILIZE” in gold letters.

Origin/meaning

Coat of Arms: Purple and white are the colors traditionally used by Civil Affairs. Gold is emblematic of honor and high achievement; red is for zeal and courage. The sword and scroll underscore the battalion’s military and civil affairs missions in combat support and post combat military operations. The flashes symbolize the organization’s swift disseminations of required public information. The purple rays highlight the motto’s three words “SECURE, SERVE, STABLIZE.” These three words sum up the organization’s mission to reestablish order and hope.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Purple and white are colors used for Civil Affairs. The sword together with the white scroll signifies the unit’s military government and civil affairs mission in support of combat and post combat military operations. The red flashes connote the courageous and efficient service provided by the organization and also the swift dissemination of required public information. The light rays, indicative of knowledge, refer to the language capabilities and comprehension of legal systems necessary for effective area administration. The four design elements (the scroll, sword and two flashes) together with the circular scroll, and five parts of the sword (the blade, two quillons of the cross guard, the grip and pommel) allude to the numerical designation of the battalion.

The Coat of Arms was approved effective 16 September 2005. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 405th Civil Affairs Group on 29 May 1969. The insignia was redesignated, effective 16 September 2005, for the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, with description and symbolism updated.