563rd Support Battalion, US Army

563RD SUPPORT BATTALION, US ARMY

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Gules, an annulet Or surmounted on dexter and sinister with six gouttes, three and three, Azure debruised by a pale of the second bearing a tower Sable flammant, charged with a key, ward up Or.
Crest: From a wreath Or and Gules, a demi-sphere Azure surmounted by six bamboo stalks in chevron, three and the first fretted at chief point; in base a mullet Argent.
Motto: Keep them fighting.

Distinctive Unit Inisignia, Description: A gold color and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a black tower emitting red flames, those from the top emerging in three points and one streming from each side, in the center of the tower a vertical gold key with handle in abse, the tower within and its top extending over a gold ring bearing six blue drops; the sides and base of the ring enclosed by a curved black scroll inscribed "KEEP THEM FIGTHING" in gold letters.

Origin/meaning

Red is the Colours traditionally associated with Supply Units. The Gold Ring (Annulet) alludes to a Wheel and indicates origin as a Quartermaster Unit. The Pale symbolises military strength. The Tower symbolises service in Germany. The blue drops together with the Flames symbolise decontamination services assigned for firefighting and mobile shower service. The five Flames indicates the five campaign honours awarded for service in Europe during World War II. The Key symbolises the Support mission. The Blue demi-sphere in the Crest symbolises the aviation support mission. The Bamboo Stalks indicates service in Vietnam. The Star represents the Unit's Meritorious Unit Commandation awarded for Vietnam service.

The Coat of Arms was approved on 4 October 2005. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 563rd Supply and Service Battalion on 8 November 1966. It was redesignated for the 563rd support Battalion on 21 June 2005.