The 29th Infantry Division is nicknamed “Blue and Gray” with the motto, “Twenty-Nine Let’s Go!” The nickname came about as many of its founding members were pulled from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and DC . The Unit Patch has two interlocking teardrops. The symbol of the two teardrops formed together is of Korean origin (taegeuk) and represents the concept of monad, which means coming together in simplicity.
Founded in 1917 as a National Guard unit, the design of the patch was to honor its new member’s forefathers on opposite sides of the Civil War to prevent troop’s hostilities and promote unity and morale. It worked. Pressed immediately into service in World War One, the 29th Division landed in Brest France on June 8, 1918. It quickly made contributions as part of the American Expeditionary Force capturing over 2,000 prisoners and suffering 30 percent of its forces as casualties.