442nd Signal Battalion, US Army

442ND SIGNAL BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Per cross Tenné and Sable, overall three multibarbed South Pacific spears, two saltirewise surmounted by one in pale Argent, with a cable entwined with a lineman's loop terminating in in two flashes fesswise throughtout Or.
Crest: Ona a wreath Arent and Tenné, a conch shell fesswise Or, supporting upon its upper rim a sea lion naiant grasping in dexter paw a sword of the first.
Motto: Ready, Rapid, Reliable

Distinctive Unit Insignia Description: A silver color metal and enamel shield and scroll 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall, the shield oblonged: Per cross Tenné and Sable, overall three multibarbed South Pacific spears, two saltirewise surmounted by one in pale Argent, with a cable entwined with a lineman's loop terminating in in two flashes fesswise throughtout Or. Attached below the shield a two segmented Silver color metal scroll inscribed "READY RAPID" on the dexter segment and "RELIABLE" on the sinister segment in Black letters.

Origin/meaning

The Spears symbolises service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. The Four parts of the shield symbolises the four corners of the World and assignment to the US Army Strategic Communications Command. Together with the Lightnings it sybolises the Worldwide Communications role of the Battalion. The Crest symbolises World War II Service and the award of the Philippine Presidental Unit Citation. The later indicated by the Sealion from the Philippine Coat of Arms.

The arms were approved on 2 April 1966 and the Distictive Unit Insignia on 19 July 1966.

Literature: The Institute of Heraldry, US Army