501st Military Intelligence Battalion, US Army

501ST MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION, US ARMY

Official blazon

Shield: Quarterly azure and vert, in bend a ligthning flash point to base gules fimbriated or and in bend sinister a cavalry saber point to chief of the like.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors, or and azure, in front of a torii gate gules a horse's head erased sable langued of the third interlaced with two lightning flashes, the one behind bendwise and one in front bend sinisterwise of the first.
Motto: Out front

Origin/meaning

Blue and Green refer to the Air and Ground assets of the Battalion and further allude to the close relationship with Infantry (Blue) and Armour (Green) Units of the Division. The Cavalry Sabre and Lightning suggest the blending of the traditional with the latest modern developments on intelligence, reconnaissance, security, and electronic warfare capabilities within the military intelligence battalion. The Horse's Head from the Provincial Arms of Neaples, refers to the participation of an element of the Battalion in the Italian Campaign during World War II. The Torii Gate alludes to the Battalion's Service in Korea.