218th Support Battalion, South Carolina Army National Guard

218TH SUPPORT BATTALION, SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Azure, on a pale Or between two wavy pallets Argent a chevron Gules bearing a crescent of the third.
Crest: That for regiments and separate battalions of the South Carolina Army National Guard: From a wreath of the colors Or and Azure a mount Vert a palmetto tree Proper charged with a crescent Argent.
Motto: We Support the Load.

Distinctive Unit Insignia, Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure on a pale Or between two wavy pallets Argent a chevron Gules bearing a crescent of the third. Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "WE SUPPORT THE LOAD" in Blue.

Origin/meaning

Yellow (Buff) and scarlet are the colours used by Support Units. The Blue fields with waves symbolises service in the Mediterranean Region during World War II. The Crescent is from the Flag of South Carolina indicating the location to that State. The Chevron is used to denote support.

The arms were originally approved for the 163rd Support Battalion on 13 April 1977. The Insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 218th Support Battalion. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 163rd Support Battalion on ?? September 1977. The Insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 218th Support Battalion, with the description updated.

Literature: The Institute of Heraldry, US Army