135th Signal Battalion, Missouri and Nebraska Army National Guards
135TH SIGNAL BATTALION, MISSOURI AND NEBRASKA ARMY NATIONAL GUARDS
 (Coat of Arms) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shield: Sable, two flashes saltirewise throughout Tenné; overall a billet Argent bearing an ermine spot of the first, on a chief Argent a grizzly bear’s head erased Proper.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalion of the Missouri and Nebraska Army National Guard, in order in which the states were admitted to the Union:
Missouri: On a wreath of the colors, Argent and Sable, a grizzly bear standing rampant Proper.
Nebraska: On a wreath of the colors, Argent and Sable, an ear of corn in full ear partially husked Proper.
Motto: FIRST FAST FLEXIBLE.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/16 (2.70cm) in height overall consisting of a gold grizzly bear’s head on top of a white vertical oblong charged with a black ermine spot, and radiating from the sides of the oblong four diagonal orange lightning flashes, two on each side, all in front of the gold horizontal oval scored with rays and enclosed by a gold scroll folded at the sides, inscribed at the left "FIRST" and the right "FAST" and in base "FLEXIBLE" in black letters.
Origin/meaning
Shield: Orange and white are colors used for the Signal Corps. The white oblong, a heraldic billet, refers to correspondence and together with the flashes denotes the swift communication facilities provided by the Battalion. The grizzly bear denotes the organization’s allotment to the Missouri Army National Guard. The ermine spot refers to the unit’s location at St Joseph, which was founded by a French fur trader.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: Orange and white are colors used for the Signal Corps. The white oblong, a heraldic billet, refers to correspondence and together with the flashes denotes the swift communication facilities provided by the Battalion. The grizzly bear denotes the organization’s allotment to the Missouri Army National Guard. The ermine spot refers to the unit’s location at St Joseph, which was founded by a French fur trader. Additionally, the vertical oblong connotes "1" or "First," the flashes signifying "Fast," and the rays in every direction refer to "Flexible" which together allude to the Battalion’s motto.
The arms were approved on 27 April 1990. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 8 December 1970. Literature: Image and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army