US Army Dental Activity Fort Sam Houston

US ARMY DENTAL ACTIVITY FORT SAM HOUSTON

Official blazon

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a maroon cross voided throughout silver, charged at the center with a silver cross couped and voided maroon bearing a silver five-pointed star.

Origin/meaning

Maroon and white (silver) are the colors for the U.S. Army Dental Corps. The large maroon cross, a symbol of aid and mercy, represents the U.S. Army Health Services Command, headquartered at Fort Sam Houston. The silver cross throughout this large cross is symbolic of a "crossroads" and to Sam Houston. When Mexican General Santa Anna surrendered to General Sam Houston at the battle of San Jacinto, Texas became independent from Mexico and was enabled eventually to become a state. Sam Houston was clearly instrumental in the "crossroads" of Texas history, from Mexican Territory to Republic to State. The inner crosses connote the support provided by the Dental Activity. The star is a further reference to Texas, the "Lone Star" State.

The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 10 February 1981.

Literature: Image and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.

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