Distinctive UNIT INSIGNIAS,MEDALS & AWARDS are for the time period of the Pacific Theatre, 1941 to 1945. Most color representations and crest descriptions were obtained from the Dept. of The Army, Institute of Heraldry, and the book "Order Of Battle" by Shelby L. Stanton. If anyone should have better copies than some of these, please contact me so I can replace them as needed.
Originally approved for the 43d Division on Oct. 4,1929.
It is a rectangle with rounded corners, divided per pairle, red, white and blue bearing the gold crests of the states Connecticut-(grape vines), Rhode Island-(anchor),
Vermont-(buck's head), and Maine-(pine tree).
On Oct. 1,1997, the distinctive unit insignia was redesignated for the 143rd Support Gruop (AREA), Hartford,CT.
Originally approved March 15,1923. It is a scarlet quatrefoil, edged with green, with a centerd black grape leaf . The patch is approximately 2 3/8" square. The four lobes represent the four New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island. The grape leaf is representative of the fact that New England was once called "Vineland" when it was explored by Leif Ericsson because of all the wild grapevines. The red background indicates that New England was once a British possession.
As a result of redesignation of the 43d Division to the 143rd Support Group, this shoulder sleeve insignia was cancelled on Sept. 30,1997
Approved on March 26,1927. The shield background is white for Infantry, the blue saltire represents Civil War service (North), the gold lion from the arms of Great Britain represents Revolutionary War service, the prickly pear cactus- duty on the Mexican Border, and the fleur-de-lis, World War I service in France. Motto on banner reads "Stand Forth". The 102nd was originally part of the 43d when the Division was inducted in 1941. The 43d was then a "square" Division, comprising of four Infantry Units. On 19 Feb 1942, the 102nd was relieved from assignment to the 43d making it a "triangular" Division.
Campaigns: 102nd Co. K served on Leyte Island, Philippines.
Originally approved on July 14,1924 for the 103d Infantry. The shield background is white for Infantry, the blue saltire represents Civil War service (North), and the eight fleurs-de-lis, World War I service in France. Motto on banner reads "To The Last Man". The original 103rd Infantry of 1941 had many companies where commands would be given in French. Campaigns: Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea and Luzon; arrived in Japan for occupation duty 13 Sept 1945.
The 103rd crest was redesignated in 1959 for the 103rd Armored Cavalry, in 1961 for the 20th Armor, and in 1968 to the 133rd Eng. Bn.
Approved March 2,1927. The shield is white for Infantry, the blue saltire symbolizes Civil War service (North), the fleur-de-lis for World War I service, the prickly pear cactus for Mexican Border duty. The red chief charged with the gold lion represents Revolutionary War service against the "Red Coats", the lion being from the British arms. Motto on banner: "ARMIS STANT LEGES", ( Laws are Maintained by Force of Arms). Campaigns: Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea and Luzon, arrived in Japan for occupation duty on 13 Sept 1945.
Approved August 14,1923. The shield represents Mt. Mansfield and the Camel's Hump as seen from the west across Lake Champlain. The silver cross was the badge of the old "Vermont Brigade", one of the most famous Brigades of the Civil War. Motto reads, "Put The Vermonters Ahead", is from General Sedgwick's order to the 6th Corps on July 1,1863 on its march to Gettysburg.. Top of crest depicts a buck's head within a garland of pine branches. On October 26, 1942, at the island of Esperitu Santo in the New Hebrides island group, the ship U.S. President Coolidge struck a mine and sank. Some accounts state only one man from the 172nd did not make it safely to shore, other accounts state five men. As a result of this, the 172nd did not make it to Guadalcanal untill 23 March, almost five weeks after the rest of the 43d. Campaigns: Northern Solomons, New Guinea and Luzon, arrived in Japan for occupation duty on 13 Sept 1945.
