113th Cavalry Regiment (formerly 113th Armor), Iowa Army National Guard

113TH CAVALRY REGIMENT (FORMERLY 113TH ARMOR), IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Official blazon

Shield: : Or, a horse rampant Gules bridled of the field, in dexter chief a fleur-de-lis of the second and in sinister chief a prickly pear cactus Proper.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Iowa National Guard: On a wreath of the colors, Or and Gules, a hawk's head erased Proper.
Motto: WE MAINTAIN.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/32 inches (2.78 cm) in height overall, blazoned: Or, a horse rampant Gules bridled of the field, in dexter chief a fleur-de-lis of the second and in sinister chief a prickly pear cactus Proper. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "WE MAINTAIN" in Red.

Origin/meaning

Yellow is the color traditionally associated with Cavalry. The "red horse," symbolizing the popular name of the regiment, is in a rampant position to denote aggressiveness and is bridled to indicate discipline. The prickly pear cactus represents service on the Mexican Border and the fleur-de-lis signifies service in France during World War I of the original 113th Cavalry.

The Coat of Arms and distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 113th Regiment Cavalry, Iowa National Guard on 11 February 1927. They was redesignated for the 113th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion on 8 June 1950. They was redesignated for the 113th Armor, Iowa National Guard on 31 October 1960. They redesignated for the 113th Cavalry Regiment effective 1 September 1992, with the symbolism revised.

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