The 102nd Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 26 March 1927. It as amended on 4 April 1927 to correct the description. Its shield is white, which was the original color of Infantry as far back as the Revolutionary War—very pertinent, since the Regiment’s lineage stretches back to the early 18th century. The saltire (x shape) indicates that the unit served in the Civil War, with its blue color denoting that it did fight on the side of the Union.
A gold lion from the arms of Great Britain recalls the unit’s Revolutionary War service; a prickly pear cactus recalls Mexican Border during in the years leading up to World War I; and the fleur-de-lis is for service in France with the 26th Division (later 26th Infantry Division) during World War I. “Stand Forth,” the unit motto, recalls the courage of the Regiment’s volunteer Soldiers who fought for their country and their ideals in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
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 (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. 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.
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Currently consisting of a single battalion, the 1st, the 102nd Infantry Regiment is a Connecticut Army National Guard formation. The 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment is assigned to the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
In addition to its Revolutionary War and Civil War service, the 102nd Infantry Regiment also fought in World War I and World War II as part of the 26th Division, designated as the 26th Infantry Division after February 1942 and nicknamed the “Yankee Division.” Its notable World War I actions came in the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Somme Offensive campaigns. After World War I, the Regiment was redesignated as the 170th Infantry and allotted to the state of Connecticut. It would be redesignated as the 102nd Infantry on 28 February 1924, the designation under which it would be deployed to the Pacific Theater and serve garrison duty at Christmas Island and Canton Island.
The Regiment would not see combat again until the War on Terrorism, when the 1st Battalion was assigned to the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Its service was recognized with two Meritorious Unit Commendations, one for action between February 2006 and February 2007 and another for service from February 2010 to November 2010.