623rd Field Artillery Regiment, Kentucky Army National Guard
623RD FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT, KENTUCKY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shield: Gules semi-de-lis Or, two pallets Azure fimbriated of the second; on a chief of the last a saltire Gray surmounted by a giant cactus.
Crest: That for the regimens and separate battalions of the Kentucky Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules within a garland of trumpet vine clasped hands clothed at the wrists all Proper.
Motto: SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules semi-de-lis Or, two pallets Azure fimbriated of the second; on a chief of the last a saltire Gray surmounted by a giant cactus Proper. Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Blue bipartite scroll doubled turned Gold inscribed “SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY” in Gold letters.
Origin/meaning
The field of the shield is red strewn with fleurs-de-lis for the 106th AAA AW Battalion’s service and many battle honors awarded in World War II as Artillery. The two blue pallets are for service as Infantry in the Spanish-American War and World War I; credit for which came from the consolidation in 1921 of this organization with the 138th Machine Gun Battalion (formerly 3d Battalion, 3d Regiment Infantry). The ancient history, i.e., Mexican War and Civil War, is represented on the chief, which is the most honorary position on the shield. The chief is yellow for Cavalry; the saltire, symbol for Civil War, is gray to indicate Confederate service, and the giant cactus represents Mexican War service. The motto, “Seize The Opportunity,” taken from the coat of arms of the former 123d Cavalry Regiment, is reassigned to this organization and implies the tenor of the feats performed by Morgan and his Raiders during the Civil War.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 623d Field Artillery Battalion on 1 May 1952. It was redesignated for the 623d Artillery Regiment on 13 January 1971. The insignia was redesignated for the 623d Field Artillery Regiment on 24 July 1972. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 623d Field Artillery Battalion on 1 May 1952. It was redesignated for the 623d Artillery Regiment on 13 January 1971. The insignia was redesignated for the 623d Field Artillery Regiment on 24 July 1972.
Literature: Images and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army
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