The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest, pays tribute to the unit’s 100-plus years of history, heritage, and service. A gold fleur-del-lis on the left is for World War I service in France, while a Florentine fleur-de-lis on the right is a reference to the Brigade’s campaign honors, all of which were in the Italian theater. A blue diamond in the center is an allusion to the state flag of Arkansas, the state to which the Brigade was allotted (Arkansas is also home to the country’s sole diamond mine).
Inside the diamond is an upright shell atop a diagonal stripe on a scarlet background; the stripe and scarlet are from the coat of arms of the Marquis de Lafayette and are an allusion to Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the shell indicates the basic mission. The numerical designation of the unit is found in the shell (1), sides of the diamond (4), and fleur-de-lis (2).
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. More 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.