139th Infantry Regiment, North Carolina Army National Guard
139TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, NORTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
 (Coat of Arms) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shield: Azure on a fess Argent between in chief a saltire Gray fimbriated of the second and in base a battle-axe and key in saltire braced of the like a stylized castle of three towers of the first. Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the North Carolina Army National Guard: From a wreath Argent and Azure, a hornet’s nest handing from a bough beset with 13 hornets all Proper. Motto: FIRST, FURTHEST, LAST.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure on a fess Argent between in chief a saltire Gray fimbriated of the second and in base a battle-axe and key in saltire braced of the like a stylized castle of three towers of the first. Attached below the shield a Blue scroll inscribed “FIRST, FURTHEST, LAST” in White letters.
Origin/meaning
The service of the former organization, the 139th Infantry Regiment, is indicated by the colors white and blue which represent Infantry. The gray saltire represents service as Confederate troops during the Civil War. The castle alludes to the Portuguese “Tower and Sword” decoration awarded the battalion in World War I. The key for Normandy and the battle-axe for Central Europe represent the two terminal campaigns of the unit in World War II.
The arms were originally approved for the 139th Infantry Regiment on 24 May 1956. It was rescinded (cancelled) on 23 March 1960. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 139th Regiment with the blazon and symbolism revised on 30 April 1997. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 139th Infantry Regiment on 24 May 1956. It was rescinded (cancelled) on 23 March 1960. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 139th Regiment with the description and symbolism revised on 30 April 1997.
Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army
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