175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard

175TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, MARYLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Official blazon

Shield: Azure two pallets Argent, a torteau charged witha swan's head erased of the second, on achief paly of six Or and Sable a bend counterchanged, a bayonet (circa 1776) fesswise Silver.
Crest: That for the Regiments and Separate Battalions of the Maryland Army National Guard: On a wreath of the color Argent and Azure, a cross bottony per cross quarterly Gules and Argent.
Motto: Decus et praesidium

Origin/meaning

The Colours Blue and White are the new and old Infantry facings, indicating that the Regiment has been infantry since formation. The five stripes of the field indicates participation in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, War between the States (Confederate Service) and both World Wars. It also indicates the former designation as 5th Regiment 1794-1941. The red roundel (torteau) indicates the Red Uniforms of the Baltimore Independent Cadets, the Initial uniformed militia company of the Colony of Maryland. This uniform was later adopted during the Revolutionary War by Smallwood's Regiment of the Maryland Line. The Swan is from the Coat of Arms ot the Gist family and commemorates Mordecai Gist who on 3 December 1774 organised and commanded the Baltimore Independent Cadets, the parent unit of the Regiment. The black and gold pattern on the chief is from the reverse side of the Great Seal of the proprietary Colony of Maryland, the fmaily coat of arms of the Calverts, under whose authority Mordecai Giust organised the unit. The abynet is representative of the its introduction to Armerican Arms in the Battle of long Island 1776 by the Maryland Line. The Crest is that for Regiments and Separate Battalions of the Maryland Army National Guard.It is from the Crossland part of the Coat of Arms of the Maryland Seal. The Motto translates as "A Honour and a Guard"