173rd Infantry Regiment (formerly 131st Cavalry and 131st Armor), Alabama Army National Guard

173RD INFANTRY REGIMENT (FORMERLY 131ST CAVALRY AND 131ST ARMOR), ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Or, a Polynesian war club bendwise Vert, garnished of the field interlaced with an annulet Sable.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Alabama Army National Guard: From a wreath Or and Vert a slip of cotton plant with full bursting boll, Proper.
Motto: TAUGHT TO LEAD.

Distinctive Unit Insignia, Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1⅛ inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, a Polynesian war club bendwise Vert, garnished of the field interlaced with an annulet Sable. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "TAUGHT TO LEAD" in Black letters.

Origin/meaning

The colors yellow and green are those of armored organizations, the original designation of the unit. The black annulet represents a link of chain mail and is symbolic of Armor. It may also be taken as the letter "O" standing for "Ozark," the location where the unit was organized. The war club interlaced with the annulet represents World War II combat service in the Central Pacific.

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 131st Tank Battalion, Alabama National Guard on 29 August 1951. It was redesignated for the 131st Armor Regiment, Alabama Army National Guard on 13 December 1960. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 131st Cavalry Regiment with the symbolism updated.

Literature: Images and Information form Wikimedia Commons.