“Knowledge For Battle,” the inscription found on a gold scroll that serves as a base for the 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, is the both the unit motto and an accurate synopsis of the unit’s function in the modern battlespace. The shield portion is divided into three sections: silver gray and oriental blue are the Military Intelligence branch colors and black is a reference to where mountainous terrain of Korea where some units served (see history below). A wavy division atop the blue section is a reference to overseas deployment. A lightning flash alludes to seeking, collecting, and disseminating rapidly information relating to weather, terrain, and the enemy; the scarlet sword crossing it is a reference to the enemy.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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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The 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a unit crest or a DUI, was approved on 21 August 1981, nearly four weeks before the unit was constituted on 16 September 1981. But the Battalion’s heritage goes back even farther than that. At the time it was constituted, its A and B Companies were created through the reorganization and redesignation of the 329th Army Security Agency and the 2nd Military Intelligence Company, respectively. The 329th ASA was originally constituted on 23 October 1943 and the 2nd MI Company was first established as the 2nd Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment.
Although the 102nd MI Battalion has earned only one decoration, an Army Superior Unit Award for its service from 2003-2004, these two companies are individually entitled to several battle honors and decorations. Company A saw service in World War II and Korea, earning an uninscribed Asiatic-Pacific streamer for WWII and four Korean War campaign streamers. Its Korean War service was also recognized with two Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUCs) and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Company B took part in five campaigns in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of World War II, with its actions in the Ardennes and at Elsenborn Crest earning citations in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army (and subsequently a Belgian Fourragere 1940). In Korea, Company B participated in all ten campaigns and was and in all ten campaigns of the Korean War; it also was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and an MUC for Korean War service.
The 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion was inactivated in 2005.