U.S. ARMY 197TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 197th Field Artillery Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved while the unit was designated the 197th Artillery Group back in August 1971; it was left unchanged when it was redesignated for the 197th Field Artillery Group the following May. Changes were made regarding the symbolism of the imagery when the 197th was redesignated as a Brigade in 1979, and no changes were made to the design or regarding the symbolism when it was redesignated for the 197th Fires Brigade on 1 September 2008. Information on when it was redesignated as the 197th Field Artillery Brigade is not readily avaialble.

A great deal of symbolic imagery makes up the 197th Field Artillery Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia. Near the bottom of the crest, a semi-saltire (a diagonal cross) invokes the image of an early artillery aiming device called a quadrant. It is surrounded by nine stars, which both The Institute of Heraldry and the book Field Artillery from the U.S. Center of Military History says represent the Brigade’s participation in nine Civil War campaigns—but both Field Artillery and Center of Military History state the Brigade received official credit for ten Civil War campaigns. The stars are also representative of the nine stars on the state flag of New Hampshire, the Brigade’s home state.

Fleurs-de-lis reflect the unit’s service in the European Theater during both World Wars, while the demi-sun stands for the service in the Luzon campaign (the colors white, blue, and red indicate the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation the unit earned). The seven-pointed star is a symbol of the New Guinea campaign; it is taken from the flag of Australia, which controlled part of that island following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles until 1975. The motto “Live Free or Die” is the same as the New Hampshire state motto adopted in 1945.

Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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. 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.

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Related items
197th Field Artillery Brigade Patch (SSI)
197th Field Artillery Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)

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U.S. ARMY 197TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE UNIT CREST (DUI)