25th Infantry Division Tropic Lightning, US Army

25TH INFANTRY DIVISION TROPIC LIGHTNING, US ARMY

History: Activated 26 August 1941. Organized 1 October 1914 at Schofield Barracks (Hawaii).

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a red taro leaf, 2 7/8 inches (7.30cm) in height, and 2 inches (5.08cm) in width at the widest point, with stem up, surrounded by a 1/8 inch (.32cm) yellow border, a yellow lightning flash per pale 1-13/16 inches (4.60cm) in height.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: Centered on a black volcano emitting a gold cloud a vertical lightning flash divided red above and gold below all enclosed by a pair of green palm branches with stems crossed in base and leaves terminating at either side of the cloud above.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The taro leaf is indicative of the descent of the 25th Division from the Hawaiian Division, while the lightning flash is representative of the manner in which the Division performs its allotted assignments.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: The lightning flash, adopted from the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 25th Infantry Division and the enclosing palm branches allude to the Division nickname "Tropic Lightning". The erupting volcano is an allusion to the State of Hawaii.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was authorized on 25 September 1944. The Distinctive Insignia was authorized on 21 April 1965. It was amended on 18 May 1972 to correct the nickname of the 25th Infantry Division in the symbolism.

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