The 15th Brigade Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), often called a unit crest, was originally approved for the 1st Medical Squadron on 11 July 1928. It was redesignated in 1950 for the 15th Medical Battalion, in 1987 for the 15th Support Battalion, and in 2005 for the unit’s current designation. Maroon and white are used for the shield colors because those are the colors of the Army Medical Department, the branch the unit originally hailed from. A bluebonnet in the chief (upper part of the insignia) is emblematic of the unit’s origins and longtime residence in Texas (the bluebonnet is the state flower).
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.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Since its formation in 1928 as unit in the Army Medical Department, the 15th Brigade Support Battalion has been assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, a combination that has led to the Brigade’s status as the most decorated Support battalion in the entire U.S. Army. During World War II, the 1st Medical Squadron deployed as part of the Division to the Pacific Theater, where it would take part in constant combat operations from February 1944 to February 1945 and the liberation of Manila. For its WWII service, the Brigade earned credit for participation in four campaigns and three Meritorious Unit Commendations. During the Korean War, the unit was designated as the 15th Medical Battalion and took part in the historic landings at Inchon; it fought in seven campaigns until redeployed to Japan in January 1952.
In 1965, the 11th Medical Battalion, 11th Air Assault Division Support Command (DISCOM) was redesignated as the 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Cavalry DISCOM and in the process became the Army’s first-ever Aero Medical Evacuation Battalion. In this groundbreaking role, the Battalion took part in thirteen campaigns and its service was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation, a pair of Valorous Unit Awards, and three Meritorious Unit Commendations.
Since that time, the unit—which in 2005 was designated as the 15th Brigade Support Battalion and assigned permanently to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division—has deployed to combat operations in Southwest Asia (First Gulf War), Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning more decorations for its exceptional service and dedication to duty. It is headquartered and based at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas.