The 50th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) Distinctive Unit Insignia was first approved for the 50th Signal Battalion, Corps on 4 May 1954 and was redesignated for the 50th Signal Battalion on 26 February 1959. Orange and white (silver) are used predominantly to denote the unit’s branch affiliation in the Signal Corps. The two diagonal border patterns are adapted from the coat of arms of Champagne, the location where the Battalion saw combat and earned battle honors in World War I. A key on the bend is taken from the arms of Llisieux and symbolizes Normandy, the metaphorical key to Fortress Europe, and again represents battle honors earned by the Battalion, this time in World War II. “Key To Command,” the unit motto, reflects the critical importance of communications in the command decision-making process.
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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Constituted in the Regular Army as Company H, Signal Corps on 16 December 1899 and organized in the Philippine Islands, the 50th Signal Battalion quickly earned the first of at least thirteen campaign streamers it would be presented over the years, this one for the Philippine Insurrection.
In 1916 it was reorganized as the 1st Telegraph Battalion, and following the U.S. entry into World War I was redesignated as the 51st Telegraph Battalion on 1 October 1917. It would go on take part in three campaigns in the Great War before being consolidated with another unit to become the 50th Signal Battalion. It has retained this designation, with minor alterations in descriptive nomenclature, to this day.
During World War II, the Battalion was deployed to the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater and took part in five campaigns, earning an Arrowhead for the its Normandy streamer for taking part in the assault landing and a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC). The Battalion would not be involved in military operations again until the Dominican Republic Expedition in 1965, for which the Battalion earned another MUC. A quarter-century later it would be deployed for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, earning battle honors for two campaigns and an MUC.
Since the launch of the War on Terrorism, the Battalion has earned credit for participation in at least one campaign (with the possibility of more) and two more MUCs, with two of is Companies singled out for indiviual decorations (a Valorous Unit Award and an MUC for Company B and an MUC for Company C).
As of 2019, the 50th Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced (ESB-E) is assigned to the 35th Signal Brigade and is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.