181st Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard

181ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Azure, a Colonial powder horn bottom to base and mouth to dexter chief Argent stringed and garnished Proper.
Crest: That for the regiments of the Massachusetts National Guard on a wreath of the colors (Argent and Azure), a dexter arm embowed clothed blue and ruffed white Proper grasping a broad sword Argent, the pommel and hilt Or.
Motto: KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel shield 1 1/4 inches (2.86cm) in height overall blazoned: Azure, a Colonial powder horn bottom to base and mouth to dexter chief Argent stringed and garnished Proper.

Origin/meaning

A large portion of this regiment is recruited from areas which sent men to the Minute Man organizations in the war of the Revolution. From 1855 through the Civil War service the Regiment was known as "Minute Men." The old Minute Men of the Revolutionary period carried the powder horns. This regiment has had service in the Civil War, Spanish American War, in Puerto Rico and in the World War, as the 4th Pioneer Infantry.

The Coat of Arms was approved on 17 November 1923. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 16 February 1924.

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