524th Military Intelligence Battalion, US Army

524TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION, US ARMY

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Azure (Oriental Blue) two chevronels fretty Argent (Silver Gray) charged with eighteen pellets all within a bordure of the second.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Argent and Azure), a garb of rice Or charged at base with a Taeguk Proper; overall a bayonet palewise, point up, blade Sable and hilt Argent (Silver Gray) all tied with a ribbon Gules.
Motto: Silent Vigilance

Distinctive Unit Insignia: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure (Oriental Blue) two chevronels fretty Argent (Silver Gray) charged with eighteen pellets all within a bordure of the second. Attached below the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "SILENT VIGILANCE" in Black letters.

Origin/meaning

Shield: Azure (oriental blue) and silver gray are the colors associated with Military Intelligence. The interlocking chevronels suggest the gathering of information from many sources processed through the unit and distributed throughout the Army, as represented by the border. The black pellets suggest the unit's ability to interpret various data and to form assessments of military situations. Eighteen refers to the number of campaigns in which the unit participated in Korea and Vietnam. Crest: The bayonet alludes to the unit's participation in campaigns n Vietnam and Korea, represented by the garb of rice and Taeguk. The black blade refers to secrecy and the unit's intelligence function. The red band of the garb refers to the Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded the unit for service in Vietnam.

The arms and the Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 16 May 1983. Literature: Image from http://www.milbadges.com/