This Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on 30 August 1922 for the 13th Cavalry Regiment, the same designation it was most recently given on 23 May 2007. In the intervening eighty-five years, the insignia was redesignated five times for four different units: the 13th Armored Regiment (Light), 13th Armored Regiment, 13th Medium Tank Battalion, 13th Cavalry Regiment (the second of three times), and the 13th Armor Regiment.
In the center of the insignia is a sun in splendor superimposed two crossed Cavalry sabers and bearing the unit’s numerical designation, all surrounded by a wreath consisting of cactus and palm leaves. The sun is taken from the flag of South Dakota, the state in which the Regiment was first organized in 1901, while the wreath denotes service in both the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection and along the Mexican Border as part of the Mexican Expedition of 1916-1917.
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.
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The Regiment’s lineage is credited with participation in the Mexican Expedition Campaign which prevented it from being deployed to Europe for World War I. During the Second World War, the Regiment fought in two campaigns in North Africa, earning an Arrowhead device for taking part in an assault landing in during Operation Torch, and five campaigns in Italy.
Though credited with participation in just one campaign in the War on Terrorism and in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the Regiment’s Squadrons have been tapped for several military decorations since 2001, with the 2nd Squadron earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom between May 2009 and April 2010 and the 1st Squadron earning an MUC for service between October 2011 and July 2012 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.