The 501st Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia—a device more commonly referred to as a “unit crest” or a DUI—was first approved for the 501st Parachute Battalion on 29 March 1941. It was redesignated for the Parachute Infantry Regiment on 8 July 1942 and for the 501st Infantry Battalion on 20 January 1947. It was given its current designation on 18 September 1958.
Blue and white, the primary colors of the insignia, reflect the Infantry aspect of the organization. As an Airborne unit, the use of the Native American thunderbird—capable of causing thunder by flapping its wings and sending forth lightning from its eyes—is an appropriate image given the striking power such units can wield, particularly in light of the use word “Geronimo” during the first test parachute jumps of the organization and its adaptation as a motto.
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."♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 501st Parachute Infantry was activated on 15 November 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, with Companies A and B of the 501st Parachute Battalion consolidating to become Company A of the new regiment. Assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, the Regiment would fight in four European Theater campaigns, earning an Arrowhead device for taking part in the assault landing at Normandy and selected for two Presidential Unit Citations, a French Croix de Guerre with Palm, and a Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm.
During the Vietnam War, both the 1st and 2nd Battalions fought in a dozen campaigns, with the Regiment being tapped for a third Presidential Unit Citation, a Valorous Unit Award, three Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Cross of Gallantry with Palm awards, and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class with Palm.
When the War on Terrorism was launched and Operation Enduring Freedom began, only the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry was active; the 2nd Battalion was reactivated following a forty-one-year period of inactivity on 15 October 2013. Prior to that time, the 1st Battalion as a whole (i.e., its HHC and at least two Companies) was awarded two Valorous Unit Awards, the first in September 2008 (for service between May and Septembter 2007 by HHC and Companies A, C, and D) and the second in June 2010 (March 2009 to February 2010 by HHC and Companies A – D).
The Battalion’s Company B earned two individual Valorous Unit Awards, an impressive feat made even more noteworthy the fact one VUA was for the period from 24 December 2006 to 21 June 2007; the very next day was the first of the 75-day period for which the Company was tapped for another Valorous Unit Award, which for some reason was awarded before the honor for the earlier action.
As of April 2021, the Regiment’s two Battalions are active and are assigned to Airborne units. 1st Battalion is part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division and 2nd Battalion is assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division; they are headquartered at Fort Richardson, Alaska and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, respectively..