276th Engineer Battalion, Virginia Army National Guard

276TH ENGINEER BATTALION, VIRGINIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Azure, a saltire Gray fimbriated Argent, to chief a fleur-de-lis of the like; on a chief of the last a cross Gules with an arrow fesswise of the third.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Virginia Army National Guard: From a wreath Argent and Azure, "Virtus, the genius of the Commonwealth, dressed as an Amazon, resting on a spear with one hand and holding a sword in the other; and treading on Tyranny, represented by a man prostrate, a crown falling from his head, a broken chain in his left hand and a scourge in his right," all Proper.
Motto: LIBERTY OR DEATH.

Origin/meaning

The shield is blue for Infantry. The gray saltire commemorates service in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War. The fleur-de-lis symbolizes the service in France during World War I. The red cross (the cross of St. George) refers to the settlement of Virginia by the English and with the arrow alludes to the French and Indian War and participation as colonial militia. The red cross also refers to the Revolutionary service of the unit's predecessor. The crest is that of the Virginia Army National Guard.

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment on 11 May 1929. It was redesignated for the 176th Infantry Regiment, Army of the United States on 4 March 1941. The insignia was redesignated for the 276th Engineer Battalion, Virginia Army National Guard and amended to change the symbolism on 29 January 1968.

Literature: Images and Information from Wikimedia Commons.