The 487th Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia—also known as a DUI or a “unit crest”—was originally approved for the 227th Engineer Battalion on 27 July 1962. It was redesignated two times thereafter, first on 1 March 1966 for the 487th Artillery (it was amended to change the color of the border at the same time) and then for the 487th Field Artillery Regiment on 24 July 1972.
An image of the famed geographic landmark of Diamond Head on the island of Oahu is a tribute to the Regiment’s home state of Hawaii, where it was originally constituted on 27 January 1893 as the 1st Regiment. The imagery also reflects the Regiment’s subsequent participation in the Hawaiian Rebellion of 1895 during which an important engagement took place at Diamond Head. A robed Hawaiian warrior armed with a spear commemorates the ancient warrior King Kamehameha I, founder of the kingdom of Hawaii. “Hiki No,” the unit motto, translate into English as “Certainly It Can Be Done."
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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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The 487th Regiment’s 1st Battalion has been a component of the 29th Infantry Brigade—now the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team—since the Regiment was created through the reorganization, redesignation, and conversion of the 227th Engineer Battalion on 15 November 1965. As of Summer 2023, its sole battle honor is for the Central Pacific campaign in World War II (its campaign participation status for its service in the War on Terrorism is yet to be determined).
In August 2019, the 1st Battalion made history when it was selected to perform the Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar System (C-RAM) protection mission. Developed based upon operational needs that became apparent during military operations in Iraq, the goal of the C-RAM mission is to protect people, equipment, and installations from rocket, artillery, and mortar fire by intercepting those threats while still in flight and destroying them.
As of Summer 2023, the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery is assigned to the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and is stationed in Kalaelo, Hawaii.