417th Signal Battalion, Florida Army National Guard

417TH SIGNAL BATTALION, FLORIDA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Official blazon

Shield: Per chevron enhanced Tenné and Argent, between two lightning flashes chevronwise of the first a triangle Gules charged with a millet of seven White above two barrulets couped wavy Azure, on a chief per chevron of the second four palm fronds chevronwise Vert.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalion of the Florida National Guard: On a wreath of the colors, Argent and Tenné, an alligator statant Proper.
Motto: GUARDS THE PEACE.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of two orange lightning flashes chevronwise issuing from the apex four green palm fronds faced left and right and bearing in the lower area between the flashes a seven-pointed white star above two wavy bars all above a red scroll arced to base, lined gold and inscribed "GUARDS THE PEACE," in gold letters; the interior areas between the flashes, star, wavy bars and scroll all of gold.

Origin/meaning

Orange and white are the colors used for Signal units. The red and white were suggested by the colors of the flag of the state of Florida, the unit’s home base. The blue, white and red refer to the tri-color of France where the organization served during World War I, and also denote the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded the unit for the Southern Philippine Campaign during World War II. The lightning flashes simulate an arrowhead, the palms typify tropical growth, the gold area and the wavy blue bars together represent an island and the seven-pointed white star is from the flag of Australia. All are used to symbolize Australia where the unit was activated during World War II, and the island of New Guinea where the unit made an assault landing, the waving blue bars simulating the Presidential Unit Citation streamer awarded for action.

The arms were approved on 18 Jul 1998. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 53d Signal Group on 17 Sep 1970. It was redesignated for the 53d Signal Brigade on 5 Aug 1986. On 18 Jul 1998, the insignia was redesignated for the 417th Signal Battalion.

Literature: Image from Olompvo on Pinterest. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.