The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 1st Signal Battalion was originally approved for the unit when it still carried its original designation, the 59th Signal Battalion, which it was given when it was constituted in 1927. “IN MEDIA RES,” the unit motto found on 1st Signal Battalion DUI (often called a unit crest), is Latin for “Into The Midst Of Things”—certainly appropriate for a formation that earned credit for participation in seven World War II campaigns (one of its companies earned credit for an astounding eighth campaign).
Inactivated in Germany within a few weeks of the Japanese surrender in the Pacific, the battalion was not activated again until 1 October 1961 in Germany 1st Signal Battalion (Combat Area) at Panzer Kaserne in Böblingen as part of VII Corps. After taking part in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (it was recognized for participation in all three of the conflict’s named campaigns), the battalion was inactivated on 30 June 1993.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been
authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
For Enlisted personnel, the insignia is centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.