Signal Patches History 1

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

USED BY PERMISSION

1st Sig Bde

The orange field of the shield and the yellow border were suggested by the authorized shoulder-sleeve insignia of the Strategic Communications Command of which the First Signal Brigade is a part.  The lightning bolt, which also appears on the Strategic Communications Command shoulder - sleeve insignia, is depicted on the distinctive insignia (badge) of the First Signal Brigade.  In this instance, the lightning bolt, a symbol of communi - cation, has been used as a sword blade and attached to a hilt, the sword thus referring to both the tactical and support mission of the organization. The blue vertical stripe with "sword" (suggested by the authorized shoulder-sleeve insignia for the United States Army, Vietnam) alludes to the brigade's numerical designation.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Counteroffensive and Phases II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease-Fire).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendations (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1966 - 1967; Vietnam 1967 - 1969; and Vietnam 1970 - 1972).

1st Sig Cmd

The blue lightning streak on target symbolizes the First Signal Command's ability to carry on all functions of its mission with speed and accuracy.  The white rings refer to the emanating effect of transmitting radio waves through space.  The single lightning flash indicates the numerical designation of the command.

2nd Sig Bde

The lightning flashes are an allusion to the basic mission of the organiza - tion, and the color blue refers to the unit's ability to support the combat mission.  The two flashes simulate the roman numeral two and suggest the unit's numerical designation.  The globe alludes to the worldwide scope of the unit's mission and the unit's affiliation with the United States Army Communications Command.

Campaigns:  World War II (European-African-Middle Eastern theater), Vietnam (Defense, Counteroffensive and Phases II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendations -- Army (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1965 - 1967, and Vietnam 1967 - 1968).

3rd Sig Bde

The three flashes denote the unit's triple-threat capability in the perfor - mance of its mission a well as the unit designation.  The star is a referense to Fort Hood, Texas, the unit's headquarters.  The color blue denotes infantry support.

Campaigns:  Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

6th Sig Cmd

The designation of the command is reflected by the six sides of the device.  The unit's motto, "Voice of the Desert," is signified by the desert falcon, symbolizing vigilance, speed, and clarity of communications.  Blue stands for devotion to duty and loyalty.  The lightning flash represents speed and electronic communication.  

Campaigns:  Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

7th Sig Bde

The blue area refers to the troposphere, the lower portion of the atmosphere which extends roughly seven miles above the surface of the earth; the stratosphere forms the atmosphere's upper portion.  The seven steps of the orange area refer to antenna, wave length, frequency, modu - lation, selectivity, volume, and control and also indicates the numerical designation of the brigade.  The two electric flashes or impulses symbolize the transmitting and receiving of radio and radar signals and communication; the white pointed area simulates the "bending" or breaking of electric waves in the troposphere and the scattering of a portion of them back to earth.

Campaigns:  Bosnia (Operation Joint Endeavor, Seventy-second Signal Battalion Component).

11th Sig Bde

The globe signifies the worldwide scope of the unit's mission.  The thunderbird, an American Indian symbol of great power who controls the skies and sees all that occurs on the ground, refers to the unit's South - western heritage.  The lightning, issuing from the thunderbird's eye as in Indian legend, denotes the speed and abilities of electronic communica - tions.  The black thunderbird and white background symbolize the capa - bility of the unit to function by night or day.

Campaigns:  World War II (Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

22nd Sig Bde

The flashes symbolize communications and speed; crossed, they represent strength.  The eagle, a symbol of vigilance and swiftness, is adapted from the Frankfurt coat of arms and refers to the unit's location.

Campaigns:  Korean War (UN Summer-Fall Offensive, Second Winter, Summer-Fall 1952, Third Winter, Summer 1953), Armed Forces Expeditions (Kuwait), Bosnia (Operation Joint Endeavor).

Decorations:  Meritorious Unit Commendation (streamer embroidered Korea).

35th Sig Bde

The lion, a symbol of courage and ferocity, is blue, an allusion to the unit's Airborne designation.  The lightning flashes symbolize communi - cations, and their position, saltire wise, implies strength.  Originally issued in a two-inch width, the design was enlarged to match the width of the airborne tab.

Campaigns:  World War II (Central Burma, India-Burma, China Offensive), Armed Forces Expeditions (Panama, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

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

53rd Sig Bde

The lightning flashes suggest the unit's communication mission.  The combination of five vertical stripes and three lightning flashes allude to the unit's numerical designation.  The white chief with a red saltire, remin - iscent of the Florida state flag, indicates the unit's home area.  The yellow- gold star signifies the unit's location at Tallahassee, the state capital, and further denotes excellence.

Campaigns:  World War I, World War II (New Guinea, Southern Philippines).

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

93rd Sig Bde

The colors blue and white refer to the organization that is served by the unit.  The flashes suggest the unit's signal communication mission.  The outward points of the star connote signals transmitted, and the inward points connote signals received.  The nine points and three flashes allude to the unit's numerical designation.

Campaigns:  World War II (Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

142nd Sig Bde

The diamond shape refers to an early radio antenna.  The lightning flashes represent the unit's speed in communications.  The saltire was suggested by the Alabama state flag and refers to Decatur, Alabama, the organization's origin and home station.