773rd Military Police Battalion, Louisiana Army National Guard
773RD MILITARY POLICE BATTALION, LOUISIANA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
(Coat of Arms) |
(Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shield: Azure, a saltire per saltire Gules (Crimson) and Vert fimbriated Or overall a tiger's face jessant-de-lis of the fourth.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Louisiana Army National Guard: From a wreath Or and Azure, a pelican in her piety affronte with three young in nest, Argent, armed and vulned Proper.
Motto: LES CHARROIS.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height overall, consisting of a Blue disc surmounted throughout by a saltire divided per saltire with Red at top and bottom, and Green at either side, and centered thereon a Gold tiger's head interlaced with a Yellow fleur-de-lis; attached below a Gold scroll inscribed "LES CHARROIS" in Blue.
Origin/meaning
Crimson and ultramarine blue are colors traditionally associated with Maintenance organizations, the former unit designation. The blue field represents the Presidential Unit Citations awarded the parent unit for World War action in Argentan-Falaise. The saltire suggests a crossroad and symbolizes the transportation mission of the former unit. The four arms of the saltire denote the unit's campaign participation in World War II. The colors of the saltire allude to the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, awarded the former unit for World War II action is the Moselle and Saar River Valleys. The combined fleur-de-lis and tiger's head are symbolic of the French heritage and military tradition of the state of Louisiana, home of the organization.
The arms were originally approved for the 773d Maintenance Battalion on 19 May 1993. It was redesignated effective 1 September 2003, for the 773d Military Police Battalion with the symbolism revised. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 165th Transportation Battalion on 21 January 1982. The insignia was redesignated for the 773d Maintenance Battalion, with description and symbolism revised, on 19 May 1993. It was redesignated effective 1 September 2003, for the 773d Military Police Battalion.
Literature: Images and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.