Air Defense Armor Patches History1 

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

USED BY PERMISSION


The yellow octagonal simulates the eight-pointed-star insignia worn by dragoons, the Second Cavalry having been originally formed as the Second Regiment of Dragoons in 1836. The green-scalloped circle simulates a palmetto leaf, representing combat service in the Mexican War (in particular the charge of Captain May's squadron on the Mexican artillery at Rosaca de la Palma) and the fleur-de-lys represents combat service in France both during World War I and World War II. The motto, "toujours pret," expresses the spirit and elan of the regiment. 
2nd ACR

Worn from:  22 June 19667 - Current.

The design of the shoulder-sleeve insignia is based on the unit's distinctive insignia, badge type, approved in 1924.  The yellow octagonal simulates the eight-pointed-star insignia worn by dragoons, the Second Cavalry having been originally formed as the Second Regiment of Dragoons in  1836.  The green-scalloped circle simulates a palmetto leaf, representing combat service in the Mexican War (in particular the charge of Captain May's squadron on the Mexican artillery at Rosaca de la Palma) and the fleur-de-lys represents combat service in France both during World War I and World War II.  The motto, "toujours pret," expresses the spirit and elan of the regiment. 

Campaigns:  Mexican War (Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepee, Neuvo Leon, Tamaulipas 1846, Texas 1846, Vera Cruz 1847), Indian Wars (Seminoles, Little Big Horn, Nez Perces, Bannocks, Cheyennes, New Mexico 1852/1854, Wyoming 1866/1867/1869/1870/1872/ 1874, Montana 1870/1872/1879/1880/1881, Apaches, Oklahoma 1854, Nebraska 1855/1870, New Mexico 1860), Civil War (Peninsula, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Shenandoah, Virginia 1863/1864, Maryland 1863, Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Missouri 1861, Tennessee 1862), War with Spain (Santiago), World War I (Aisne-Marne, St.-Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Oise-Aisne, Champagne 1918), World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Leyte, Ryukyus, western Pacific), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Bastogne), Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm (streamer embroidered Bastogne).


The colors green and yellow refer to the organization of the unit in 1846 as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen with uniform facings of green and an insignia consisting of a gold trumpet. The words "Brave Rifles" are from the accolade given the regiment by General Winfield Scott, commanding general of the army, for its action at Chapultepee during the Mexican War. The gray color of the letters and numerical designation simulate the color of steel and allude to the regimental motto, "blood and steel," which was derived from the same accolade ("Brave Rifles! Veterans! you have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel."
3rd ACR

Worn from:  12 June 1967 - Current.

The colors green and yellow refer to the organization of the unit in 1846 as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen with uniform facings of green and an insignia consisting of a gold trumpet.  The words "Brave Rifles" are from the accolade given the regiment by General Winfield Scott, commanding general of the army, for its action at Chapultepee during the Mexican War.  The gray color of the letters and numerical designation simulate the color of steel and allude to the regimental motto, "blood and steel," which was derived from the same accolade ("Brave Rifles! Veterans! you have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel.")  The shoulder- sleeve insignia has been worn by the regiment since 1944 when it was recognized for wear by General George S. Patton, commanding general, Third United States Army and twenty-eighth colonel of the regiment, 1938 - 1940.

Campaigns:  Mexican War (Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepee, Vera Cruz 1847, Molino del Rey), Indian Wars (Comanches, Little Big Horn, Cheyennes, Utes, Texas 1855/1856/1869, New Mexico 1857/1858/1860/1861/1867/1869, Oklahoma 1868, Arizona 1870/1871/1882, Mexico 1859, Nebraska 1872, South Dakota 1877), Civil War (Chattanooga, New Mexico 1861/1862, Alabama 1863, Tennessee 1863, Arkansas 1864), War with Spain (Santiago), Philippine Insurrection (San Isidro, Luzon 1899/1900/1901, World War I, World War II (Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Bastogne), Belgian Criox de Guerre 1940 with Palm (streamer embroidered Bastogne). 


The colors red and white are the old guidon colors of cavalry units, and the crossed sabres are adapted from the former cavalry branch insignia.
6th Cav Bde

Worn from:  21 February 1975 - Current.

The colors red and white are the old guidon colors of cavalry units, and the crossed sabres are adapted from the former cavalry branch insignia.

Campaigns:  World War II (Normandy, [with arrow-head], Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe).


The unicorn, traditional symbol for knightly virtues, was earned by the unit during the Civil War at Fairfield, Pennsylvania where two enemy brigades were completely neutralized, saving the supply trains of the army. In the process, the unit was literally cut to pieces. The unicorn, in the rampant position, is a symbol of speed and fighting aggressiveness.
6th ACR

Worn from:  16 June 1967 - Current.

The unicorn, traditional symbol for knightly virtues, was earned by the unit during the Civil War at Fairfield, Pennsylvania where two enemy brigades were completely neutralized, saving the supply trains of the army.  In the process, the unit was literally cut to pieces.  The unicorn, in the rampant position, is a symbol of speed and fighting aggressiveness.

Campaigns:  Civil War (Peninsula, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Shenandoah, Appomattox, Virginia 1862/1863/1864/1865, Maryland 1863), Indian Wars (Comanches, Apaches, Pine Ridge, Texas 1870/1874, Arizona 1876/1881/1882, Colorado 1884), China Relief Expedition, Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Expedition (Mexico 1916 - 1917), World War I, World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe).

 

The rearing black horse refers to the nickname of the Eleventh Armored Cavalry Regiment, "Blackhorse," organized in March 1901 at Fort Myer, Virginia.
11th ACR

 Worn from:  28 April 1967 - 1993.

The rearing black horse refers to the nickname of the Eleventh Armored Cavalry Regiment, "Blackhorse," organized in March 1901 at Fort Myer, Virginia.

Campaigns:  Philippine Insurrection (Samar 1901), Mexican Expedition (Mexico 1916 - 1917), World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe), Vietnam (Counteroffensive Phases II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensives, Consolidation I and II, Cease-Fire).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamers embroidered France; Gia Ray; Duc Hoa; Hau Nghia-Binh Duong), Valorous Unit Award (streamers embroidered Phouc Tuy-Long Khanh; Long Binh-Bien Hoa; Binh Long Province 1969; An Loc), Meritorious Unit Commenda - tion (streamers embroidered European Theater; European Theater; Vietnam 1966 - 1967), French Croix de Guerre with Palm -- World War II (streamer embroidered Moselle-Saare Rivers), Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 1968; Vietnam 1969 - 1970; Vietnam 1970; Vietnam 1970 - 1971; Vietnam 1971).


The shield is yellow for Cavalry. The bend is in the color of the uniform worn at the time of the unit's formation in 1901. The kris represents Moro campaigns and the rattlesnake the service on the Mexican Border. Their motto is "Suivez moi" (Follow me).
14th ACR

Worn from:  1967 - 1972.

The shield is yellow for Cavalry.  The bend is in the color of the uniform worn at the time of the unit's formation in 1901.  The kris represents Moro campaigns and the rattlesnake the service on the Mexican Border.  Their motto is "Suivez moi" (Follow me).

Campaigns:  Philippine Insurrection (Mindanao, Jolo), World War II (Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Ryukyus, Leyte).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Remagen Bridge), cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian army for action in the Ardennes.


The black Maltese cross represents service in Puerto Rico and the red keystone is the divisional insignia of the Twenty-eighth Division in which elements of the First Cavalry and Eighth Infantry served. The five stars represent the five major operations of the Twenty-eighth Division.
104th ACR

Worn from:  18 April 1968 - 1974.

The black Maltese cross represents service in Puerto Rico and the red keystone is the divisional insignia of the Twenty-eighth Division in which elements of the First Cavalry and Eighth Infantry served.  The five stars represent the five major operations of the Twenty-eighth Division.

Campaigns:  Revolutionary War  (Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown), Civil War (Gettysburg, Peninsula, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Virginia 1863), War with Spain (Puerto Rico), World War I (Oise-Aisne, Ypres-Lys, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918, Lorraine 1918, Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne), World War II (Central Europe, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, eastern Mandates, western Pacific).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendation (streamer embroidered Pacific Theater).


The horse's head is a reference to the early cavalry and is symbolic of the spirit of the cavalry trooper.
107th ACR

 Worn from:  24 January 1968 - 1993.

The horse's head is a reference to the early cavalry and is symbolic of the spirit of the cavalry trooper.

Campaigns:  World War I (Lorraine 1918), World War II (Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Northern Solomons, Luzon).


The white dragon and green shield were suggested by the coat of arms of the organization, the dragon, a most valiant creature, symbolizes courageous spirit and striking power. A trident appears in the crest of the Mississippi Army National Guard and refers to the Mississippi River.
108th ACR

Worn from:  28 August 1967 - 15 March 1988.

The white dragon and green shield were suggested by the coat of arms of the organization, the dragon, a most valiant creature, symbolizes courageous spirit and striking power.  A trident appears in the crest of the Mississippi Army National Guard and refers to the Mississippi River.

Campaigns:  World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, New Guinea, Southern Philippines).


The wavy band and the snake are taken from the coat of arms of the former organization, the 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The wavy band and snake represent the Snake River and refer to the home area of the former organization, the Snake River Valley. The sun alludes to the state of Idaho, noted for the beauty of its sunrises. The name is taken from Shoshoni and means "the sun comes down the mountain" or "it is morning."
116th Cav Bde

Worn from:  13 October 1967 - 23 September 1988.

Re-designated:  116th Cavalry Regiment.  Worn from:  23 September 1988 - 1994.

Re-designated:  116th Cavalry Brigade,  Worn from:  1994 - Current.

The wavy band and the snake are taken from the coat of arms of the former organization, the 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment.  The wavy band and snake represent the Snake River and refer to the home area of the former organization, the Snake River Valley.  The sun alludes to the state of Idaho, noted for the beauty of its sunrises.  The name is taken from Shoshoni and means "the sun comes down the mountain" or "it is morning."

Campaigns:  World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Ardenne - Alsace, Rhineland, Central Europe, Papua, New Guinea, Luzon, Southern Philippines.


Yellow is the color used for cavalry, and the green diagonal band represents the hills of Montana, the home state of the unit. The buffalo skull symbolizes Montana's Old West heritage.
163rd Armor Bde

Montana Army National Guard

Worn from:  18 April 1968 - 1 February 1989.

Re-designated:  163rd Armored Brigade.  Worn from:  1 February 1989 - Current.

Yellow is the color used for cavalry, and the green diagonal band represents the hills of Montana, the home state of the unit.  The buffalo skull symbolizes Montana's Old West heritage.

Campaigns:  Philippine Insurrection (Manila, Malolos), World War I, World War II (Papua, New Guinea, [with arrowhead], Luzon, Southern Philippines [with arrowhead]).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Papua), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered 17 October 1944 - 4 July 1945).


The design is an embroidered replica of the distinctive insignia of the unit.
7th Sqdn
1st Cav Regt

 Worn from:  February 1968 - Late 1970's.

Approved for local wear only.

The design is an embroidered replica of the distinctive insignia of the unit.