Army National Guard Patches History 3

Prior to 30 December 1983, the units described below were designated Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment Army National Guard.  Since 30 December 1983, these units have been re-designated Headquarters, State Area Command, Army National Guard.  Under the National Defense Act of 1916, the United States Army was organized into three components; the regular army, the reserves, and the national guard.

Information extracted from the book "US ARMY PATCHES"  by Barry Jason Stein

USED BY PERMISSION

Louisiana

The pelican with three young in nest is adapted from the state of Louisiana.  The state bird is the eastern brown pelican and the state's nickname is the "Pelican State."

Maine

The pine tree is a feature of the seal of the stae of Maine.  The Mast Pine with its straight body, erect head, and evergreen foliage is the largest and most useful of American pines and represents Maine, the "pine tree state."

Maryland

The first and fourth (gold and black) quarters of the shield are the arms of the Calvert famly and the second and third (silver/white and red) quarters are those of the Crossland family which arms Cecil Calvert inherited from his grandmother, Alicia, wife of Leonard Calvert, the father of George, first Lord Baltimore.

Massachusetts

The crest of the state of Massachusetts was adopted 13 December 1780.  The design, adapted from the crest and state flag, consists of the right arm of Captain Myles Standish in the military uniform of the period, sleeve with lace ruffle, the hand grasping a broad sword.

Michigan

The griffin, a symbol of vigilance and readiness, is adapted from the crest of the Michigan Army National Guard.  In 1679, La Salle, the explorer, built the ship "Griffin" in the calm waters above Niagara Falls to carry his expedition and supplies through the Great Lakes and carved a griffin for its figurehead.  He did this in honor of his patron Count Frontenac.  The griffin was a portion of the count's armorial bearins.  This was the first white man's ship to navigate the great waters which enclose and are enclosed by Michigan.

Minnesota

The shield is blue and white, the colors of the Minnesota flag;  The wavy bar across the lower half of the shield, symbolizes water, as the name "Minnesota" is said to be derived from the Sioux Indian language and means "water tinted like the sky" or "sky tinted water." A star in the upper half of the shield symbolizes the North Star, as Minnesota is widely known as the "North Star state."

Mississippi

The magnolia blossom is the state flower of Mississippi and Neptune's trident is symbolic of the great Mississippi river, Neptune being known in mythology as the "Father of Waters."  The light blue background is the color for infantry.

Missouri

The grizzly bear is native to Missouri and has been on the state seal since 1822.  The colors blue and gold are adapted from the twists of the wreath of the Missouri Army National Guard crest, denoting the state as originally part of the Lousiana Purchase.  The red, symbolic of courage, reflects the attributes of the grizzly bear.

Montana

The mountain peak refers to "Montana," a Spanish word for mountain.

Nebraska

The partially husked ear of corn refers to the crest used for the Nebraska Army National Guard and indicates the organization's allocation.  It is also representative of the official nickname "Cornhusker State."

Nevada

The insignia, in the shape of the state of Nevada, contains a star with one point up within an open garland of sagebrush.  It is adapted from the state flag of Nevada.  Silver (white) alludes to the Nevada nickname, the "Silver State;" sagebrush is the state flower.