The design of the 52nd Ordnance Group Distinctive Unit Insignia borrows elements from its Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, most notably the traditional representation of a bomb (reflecting the unit’s origins as a bomb-disposal and mine-detection unit in World War II) superimposed over a stylized explosion. “Defusing Danger,” the unit motto, is rendered in gold/yellow on crimson scrolls; crimson and yellow are the colors of Ordnance units. This insignia was approved on 19 May 1993.Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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.
More 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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Those unfamiliar with the work of EOD units are likely to be surprised or even shocked at just how often their services are required within the United States. In 2017, for example, elements of the 52nd Ordnance Group responded to over 1,200 incidents in the U.S. and spent nearly 200,000 Soldier hours rendering ordnance or suspected explosive devices harmless. One of the most common tasks is the disposal of artillery ordnance from the Civil War era, which despite being over 150 years old can still detonate.
One of the largest caches of Civil War-era ordnance the Group has had to deal with was found at the former site of Allegheny Arsenal near Pittsburgh. Initial reports indicated that five dozen six- and four-inch cannonballs had been discovered at the site, but eventually a total of 719 rounds were uncovered. Over the course of a week, Soldiers from the 55th Ordnance Company, 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group disposed of 707 of the artillery rounds, and left 12 cannonballs at the Fort Indiantown Gap Training Center.
As of Autumn 2023, the 52nd Ordnance Group is an active unit stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It is a component of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Command headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
Related Items
52nd Ordnance Group Patch (SSI)
52nd Ordnance Group Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)