716th Military Police Battalion, US Army

716TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Or, on a cushion Vert, tasseled Gules a baton of the field.
Motto: LEX ET ORDO (Law and Order).

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, on a cushion Vert, tasseled Gules a baton of the field. Attached below a gold scroll inscribed "LEX ET ORDO" in black letters.

Origin/meaning

The baton, or truncheon, was borne by high officers in monarchial establishments of the middle ages as a badge of authority and who were originally charged with military duties. Thus, this is symbolic of the functions of the organizations in the just administration of the essential principles of justice.

The arms were originally approved on 27 August 1942. It was amended to add the blazon on 1 October 1942. On 17 January 1975 the Coat of Arms was rescinded. The arms were reinstated on 4 June 1992.

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