U.S. ARMY 125TH SIGNAL BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

An orange scroll with white text—the branch colors of the Signal Corps—forms the base of the 125th Signal Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also called unit crest or a DUI. The unit motto written on the scroll, Leokani Okauwila, is Hawaiian for "Voice Of Lightning,” an allusion to the Battalion’s parent organization, the 25th “Tropic Lightning” Division.

In the chief (top third) of the insignia is a spear with a diamond head, a visual reference to the island of Oahu (location of Diamond Head) and by extension its defense of the island on 7 December 1941; it also alludes to the “tip of the spear” role the 25th Infantry Division played in the war in the Pacific. Below the spear is a fire signal set in the middle of three vertical sections of the shield, a reference to the unit’s achievement in maintaining signal communications while facing three North Korean divisions during the Masan-Chinju operation of 1950 in Korea.

Distinctive Unit Insignias 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.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

The 125th Signal Battalion was originally constituted in the Army of the United States on 26 August 1941 as the 25th Signal Company and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. During its World War II service with the 25th ID, the Battalion took part in four campaigns in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was awarded a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Allotted to the Regular Army on 27 June 1949, the Company—still assigned to the 25th Division—was deployed to Korea, where it fought in all ten campaigns of that conflict and was presented with two Meritorious Unit Commendations and two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations for its exceptional service.

Reorganized and redesignated as the HQ and HQ Company, 125th Signal Battalion on 1 February 1957, the Battalion’s Company B led the unit’s deployment in Vietnam went it accompanied the 25th Division’s Third Brigade to the Central Highlands in December 1965, with the remainder of the Battalion arriving by March 1966. Before the Battalion departed Vietnam in December 1970, it had fought in a dozen campaigns and had been tapped for two Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Republic of Vietnam Cross Gallantry with Palm awards, and a Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.

Between 2003 and 2005, all elements of the Battalion served tours of duty in either Afghanistan or Iraq, but its campaign participation credits have yet to be determined and placed online. On 15 November 2005, the 125th Signal Battalion was inactivated, bringing to an end sixty-four years of continuous service with the Tropic Lightning Division.

Price

$11.99

Quantity

USPHS

Merchant Marine

AUXILIARY

U.S. ARMY 125TH SIGNAL BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)