589th Support Battalion, US Army

589TH SUPPORT BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Gules, a caltrop point down Sable fimbriated Or, surmounted by a pincer palewise throughout of the like, upper curved jaw enclosing a fleur-de-lis Or.
Crest: On a wreath Or and Gules, a mill rind of the first superimposed by a ball fired in four places Sable enflamed Proper charged with a mullet Argent.
Motto: FIRST IN SERVICE.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a gold caltrop, voided black, one point down surmounted vertically by a gold pair of pincers supporting between its jaws a gold fleur-de-lis on a red background all above a red scroll bearing the inscription “FIRST WITH SERVICE” in gold letters.

Origin/meaning

Shield: The pincers and caltrop (an ancient device used to impede the effectiveness of the enemy) symbolize the basic mission of the battalion in providing supplies, directing maintenance and technical assistance service to supported units. Black alludes to Germany; the fleur-de-lis symbolizes France, combined with the three points of the caltrop symbolizes the three battle honors received in World War II. Crest: The mill rind signifies support, the mission of the battalion. The fire ball suggests the Fourth Infantry Division Artillery (Fire Brigade), to which the 589th Support Battalion is assigned. The single star alludes to the motto “FIRST IN SERVICE.”

The Coat of Arms was approved on 12 January 2005. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 589th Supply and Service Battalion on 19 December 1967. It was redesignated with the description and symbolism updated for the 589th Support Battalion on 29 October 2004.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.