The 26th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 7 June 1923. Designed in the shape of a shield, the lone item on the gold-borderd device is a Mohawk arrowhead, selected as the Regimental insignia during World War I because it was felt it represented American virtues and traits such as courage, daring, and tireless pursuit of the enemy.
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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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The 26th Infantry Regiment was constituted as the 26th Infantry in the Regular Army on 2 February 1901 and was organized three weeks later at Fort McPherson, Georgia. It earned a campaign streamer within two years of its organization with its actions in the Philippine Insurrection, and also served along the Mexican border before deploying to Europe during World War I. It took part in seven campaigns and was awarded a pair of French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its exceptional service.
Assigned to the 1st Division (later 1st Infantry Division) during World War II, the Regiment earned eight more campaign streamers—three with Arrowhead device denoting the Regiment’s participation in an Assault landing—and a Presidential Unit Citation. These were complemented by four Foreign awards: two French Croix de Guerre with Palm, a Belgian Fourragere with two citations in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army, and a French Médaille militaire.
The Regiment did not see action in the Korean War, but during the Vietnam War it fought in eleven campaigns and was the recipient of a Valorous Unit Award. For its work as a peacekeeping unit in Bosnia in 1996-1997, the Regiment received an Army Super Unit Award. And since the launch of the War on Terrorism, the Regiment’s service has continued to be recognized, with the Regiment receiving a Presidential Unit Citation, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Valorous Unit Awards and a Navy Unit Commendation.