The 1st Cavalry Regiment’s Regimental Distinctive Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was originally approved on 26 January 1921; it underwent numerous redesignations indicative of the changing concepts of “cavalry,” and was redesignated for the 1st Cavalry Regiment on 21 April 1958 (after the Regiment had been incorporated into the Combat Arms Regimental System). The description’s wording was amended on 20 October 1965. “ANIMO ET FIDE” is Latin for “COURAGEOUS AND FAITHFUL.”
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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."
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The 1st Cavalry Regiment was originally established as a the United States Regiment of Dragoons in 1833 following the dissolution of the United States Mounted Rangers. When a second Dragoon Regiment was raised in 1836, it was redesignated the First Regiment of Dragoons,” which eventually became the unit’s officially recognized nickname. It became the 1st Regiment of Cavalry in 1863, when Congress and the Army decided to assign numerical designations to Cavalry units based on the chronology of their establishment.
Following extensive service during the Civil War, the 1st Cavalry was heavily involved in the Indian Wars, starting in 1866 and continuing up until 1892. It saw action in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and in the Philippines during the insurrection, and served as border patrol guards during General Pershing’s expedition against Pancho Villa.
Although the Regiment did not participate in combat during World War I, it or some of its subordinate units have been deployed for almost every major conflict since that time, including World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War in 1991, and the War on Terrorism. As a parent regiment in the U.S. Army Regimental System, the 1st Cavalry Squadron comprises five squadrons—the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 8th—serving in Brigade Combat Teams of various Armored and Infantry Divisions.