176th Finance Battalion, US Army

176TH FINANCE BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Argent, a sword point down and quill saltirewise Sable, overall on a lozenge Or an Oriental dragon Gules.
Crest: From a wreath Argent and Sable four stylized arrowheads crosswise Gules, overall a bezant, all in front of a palm branch fesswise in base Vert.
Motto: PAY THE WAY.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, a sword point down and quill saltirewise Sable, overall on a lozenge Or an Oriental dragon Gules. Attached above the shield a Black scroll doubled and inscribed "PAY THE WAY" in Gold.

Origin/meaning

Shield: Silver gray (Argent) and golden yellow are the colors traditionally associated with the Finance Corps. Gold is emblematic of excellence and high achievement; black denotes solvency, while red suggests valor and sacrifice. The diamond is adapted from the Finance Corps insignia of branch. The sword and quill are crossed to underscore teamwork and highlight the unit's combat service support role. The dragon commemorates the Battalion's Asiatic-Pacific campaign participation in World War II. The dragon is a mythical guardian of treasure. Crest: The bezant simulates currency. The arrowheads, in the configuration of the Finance Corps insignia of branch, honor the unit's four Vietnam campaigns. The palm and the colors red, yellow and green are traditionally associated with Vietnam service.

The Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 3 May 1994.

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