87th Infantry Division Golden Acorn, US Army
87TH INFANTRY DIVISION GOLDEN ACORN, US ARMY
History: Activated 5 August 1917 as 87th Divsion, organized 25 August 1917 at Camp Pike (Arkansas). Inactivated 14 February 1919 at the same location. Assigned 24 June 1921 to the Organized Reserve. Actvated 15 December 1942 and reorganized at Camp McCain (Mississippi) as the 87th Infantry Division. Inactivated 21 September 1945 at Fort Benning (Georgia).
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a green disc 2 1/4 inches (5.72cm) in diameter overall and edged with a 1/8 inch (.32cm) border, a yellow acorn stem up.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall, consisting of a gold acorn at the top and three green oak leaves in base within the upper and lower angles of a saltire formed by two blue spears with points up and each simulating a fleur-de-lis and the staffs grasped by two gold demi-lions rampant facing center, all above and issuing from a blue curved scroll inscribed "READY TO SERVE" in gold letters.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The acorn is the symbol of strength of the Division.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: The gold acorn alludes to the 87th Infantry Division’s nickname "Golden Acorn Division" and the Division’s shoulder sleeve insignia. The color blue signifies the historic Infantry service. The two lions, each bearing a spear terminating in a fleur-de-lis, commemorate that unit’s participation in the European Theater of Operations, World War I and World War II. The three oak leaves refer to the three World War II campaigns in which the Division participated.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally approved for the 87th Division on 9 November 1918. It was authorized for use by the 87th Maneuver Area Command on 5 March 1973. On 1 October 1993 it was redesignated for the 87th Division (Exercise). The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was redesignated for the 87th Division (Training Support) effective 1 October 1999. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 87th Maneuver Area Command on 28 September 1971. It was redesignated with the description and symbolism revised for the 87th Division (Exercise) on 1 October 1993. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was redesignated for the 87th Division (Training Support) effective 1 October 1999
Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army
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