Constituted on 6 July 1942 as Headquarters and Head-quarters Company, 10th Port of Embarkation, the 10th Transportation Battalion earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in the European Theater between 1943 and 1945 as the 10th Port HQ and HQ Company, Transportation Corps. Redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 10th Transportation Battalion and allotted to the Regular Army in August 1954, the Battalion was activated the next month on September 2nd at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
In addition to the MUC it earned during World War II, the Battalion was also honored with MUCs for service in Vietnam between 1965 and 1968, as well as one for its support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Currently a subordinate unit of the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), the 10th Transportation Battalion is nicknamed “Waterborne” for its seaborne and waterborne operations.
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Better known as a unit crest or a DUI, the 10th Transportation Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 20 May 1966. A wheel set inside a compass rose convey the worldwide role of the Transportation Battalion and its ability to reach any point. Two pillars represent the Battalion’s terminal transportation functions, while the unit motto of "Portal To Victory" is a reminder that transportation and logistics are essential to any successful military operation.
The 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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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.