Originally approved on 3 February 1969 for the 159th Aviation Battalion, the 159th Aviation Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (aka “unit crest” or DUI) was redesignated for the Regiment, after the symbolism and description had been revised, with an effective date of 16 November 1987. The pattern of ultramarine blue and gold (yellow) that serves as the background of the shield portion of the insignia is called a gyronny and simulates the rotation of helicopter blades as a reference to the 159 Aviation Battalion’s airlift capabilities.
Further, the contrast between the alternating colors recalls the continuous night-and-day operations of the Battalion. The red bend (diagonal bar) and the gold dragon placed upon it is an allusion to the Battalion’s Vietnam service, since red and gold are the colors of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and red and yellow were the colors of the South Vietnam flag. The indomitable spirit of the Regiment’s units is encapsulated in the motto, “Press On.”
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. 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."
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 159th Aviation Regiment was originally constituted in the Regular Army as the 159th Aviation Battalion on 1 July 1968. Between then and its reorganization and redesignation as the 159th Aviation Regiment in November 1987, the Battalion’s companies took part in eight campaigns in Vietnam and were tapped for a Valorous Unit Award, two Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Cross Gallantry with Palm awards, and a pair of ROV Civil Actions Honor Medals, First Class.
Since being designated a Regiment, the number of Battalions and Companies in the 159th has varied, with at least seven battalions and ten companies established under its colors. Although the Regiment as a whole has not been credited with a military decoration, many of its individual battalions, separate companies, and detachments have been honored numerous times. According to the the U.S. Army Center of Military History’s War on Terrorism: Unit Award Orders & Citations Web page, Regimental components have received over two dozen Meritorious Unit Commendations and seven Valorous Unit Awards since 2003. (An incomplete list of campaign participation credits and military decorations for the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th Battalions and Companies I and K can be found on each unit’s Lineage and Honors page (
accessed here).