417th (Infantry) Regiment, US Army

417TH (INFANTRY) REGIMENT, US ARMY

Official blazon

Shield: Azure, the statue of Nathan Hale (Karl Gerhardt, sculptor, in the Sate Capitol at Hartford, Connecticut) affronté Argent.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath 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: SPIRIT OF '76.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Silver metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, the statue of Nathan Hale (Karl Gerhardt, sculptor, in the State Capitol at Hartford, Connecticut) affronté Argent. Attached below the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "SPIRIT OF '76" in Blue letters.

Origin/meaning

The shield is blue for Infantry. Nathan Hale was born in Coventry in 1755, graduated from Yale University in 1773, and died in New York in 1776. He truly represented the highest type of patriotism and "The Spirit of '76." He was a citizen as distinguished from a professional soldier, was a volunteer in the revolutionary cause and gave to it his last drop of blood with a patriotism and zeal unequaled. His last words could well be chosen and have been so considered from the time of his death as the highest ideal of a citizen and soldier: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

The arms were originally approved for the 417th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves on 13 May 1927. It was amended to correct the symbolism on 20 December 1932. The arms were redesignated for the 417th Regiment on 10 June 1960. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 417th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves on 13 May 1927. It was redesignated for the 417th Regiment on 10 June 1960.

Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons

. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.