503rd Infantry Regiment, US Army

503RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Argent, a fort voided Azure, pierced to the center by a pile of the second counterchanged with the fort and bearing three parachutes of the first, two and one.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure a dragon passant Gules in front of three swords, points conjoined in base Proper, with hand grips of the second nailed and edged Or, in center overall a carved arrowhead point down of the last.
Motto: THE ROCK.

Distinctive Unit Insignia Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of the shield and motto of the coat of arms.

Origin/meaning

Shield: The colors, blue and white, are those of Infantry. The inverted triangle terminating in the broken fort symbolizes the drop on Corregidor, whereas the three parachutes represent the three other battle honors awarded the organization. Crest: The dragon and the colors scarlet and yellow refer to the Republic of Vietnam where the Regiment participated in thirteen campaigns; scarlet also alludes to the award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The unit's participation in an assault landing during the Counteroffensive, Phase II, is indicated by the arrowhead and the swords with blue grips represent the Presidential Unit Citation awarded three times for service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The arms were originally approved for the 503d Airborne Infantry Regiment on 28 April 1952. It was amended to change the motto on 28 May 1952. The arms were redesignated for the 503d Infantry on 29 January 1958. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 503d Airborne Infantry Regiment on 28 April 1952. It was amended to change the motto on 28 May 1952. On 29 June 1958 the insignia was redesignated to the 503d Infantry.

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