The 13th Signal Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest, celebrates the Battalions outstanding service record in World War II and Korea. A hand seizing lightning flashes is an allusion to the unit’s ability to enable info and orders to be received and transmitted. Seven lightning flashes represent the seven decorations the unit was awarded during World War II and the Korean War, and the blue temple is a reference to Korea.
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.
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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For nearly ninety years, the 13th Signal Battalion served as the “Voice Of Command” in five different conflicts, taking part in at least twenty-seven campaigns and receiving a cornucopia of military decorations from the Army and foreign governments in recognition of its exceptional performance.
The 13th Signal Battalion was originally constituted on 1 July 1916 an activated two weeks later as the 7th Field Battalion, Signal Corps at Fort Ogelthorpe, Georgia. Though assigned to the 15th Cavalry Division, it saw no action in World War I; by the time the U.S. entered World War II, the unit was designated as the 1st Signal Troop, an element of the 1st Cavalry Division, and went on to take part in four World War II campaigns and receive three Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUCs) and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
During the Korean War, the unit was designated as the 13th Signal Company and took part in seven of that war’s campaigns, earning an MUC, a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Bravery Gold Medal of Greece) along the way. By the time of the Vietnam War, the unit had been given its current designation, and during the period from 1965 to 1970 it took part in thirteen campaigns and was awarded four MUCs, three Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.
Before the First Gulf War, the unit was honored with two Army Superior Unit Awards, followed by an MUC for service in Southwest Asia 1990-1991. Its last decoration was an MUC for support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2005; the Battalion was inactivated 15 July 2005.