The 32nd Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (also referred to as a unit crest or DUI for short) was approved on 6 December 1941 while the unit was still affiliated with the Armor branch as Company A, 32nd Armored Regiment (it was originally constituted as Company A, 2nd Armored Regiment in January 1941). The shield is yellow (gold) to signify Cavalry; it was not made the branch color for the Armor branch until 1947. A bend raguly (diagonal stripe with diagonal protrusions) symbolizes the crushing firepower of Armor units, very appropriate since the unit did not become a Cavalry regiment until 2005. The Regiment’s tenacious spirit is embodied in its motto of “Victory Or Death.”
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. Full 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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During World War II, the 32nd Armored Regiment was assigned in whole to the 3rd Armored Division and took part in five World War II campaigns in the European Theater, garnering a Presidential Unit Citation (embroidered “Siegfried Line”) and a Belgian Fourragere with two citations in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army. Demobilized at war’s end, the Regiment was reactivated in 1947 and deployed to Germany to serve as the frontline defense along the Fulda Gap against a possible Soviet invasion. It was during the Regiment’s time in Germany that Elvis Presley was assigned to it, specifically the HQ Company, 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, 3rd Armored Division.
The Regiment served as part of the 3rd Armored Division during the Southwest Asia conflict, more popularly referred to as the First Gulf War; the Regiment was credited with taking part in all three of the campaigns and was honored with a Valorous Unit Award (the 4th Battalion was also awarded a VUA and the 3rd Battalion received a Meritorious Unit Commendation).
In addition to three Meritorious Unit Commendations it has been awarded for service in Iraq and Afghanistan during the War on Terrorism, the Regiment’s non-combat service was recognized with an Army Superior Unit Award for the period 1999-2000.
As of Summer 2023, the 1st Squadron is the 32nd Cavalry Regiment's only active unit. It is assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and is based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.