The 57th Transportation Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (also known as a unit crest or DUI) was approved on 8 May 1967. Brick red and golden yellow used in the insignia are the colors of the Transportation Corps, while the blue ring is a reference to the Quartermaster insignia wheel and is an allusion to the unit’s origins in that branch. The eight-rayed sun is a reference to the Philippine Islands, and the sea lion is a symbol of the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation the unit was awarded in World War II. A pair of crossed quills represents the command and supervision aspects of the Battalion’s duties. The unit motto of “Providing With Mobility” emphasizes the mobile nature of the organization and its Support role.
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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Originally designated as the 2nd Battalion, 26th Quartermaster Regiment on 1 May 1936, the 57th Transportation would remain a Quartermaster unit (albeit with name changes) throughout World War II following its activation at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) on 30 March 1942. It took part in the Luzon campaign in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, with its service recognized with the award of a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
The Battalion received its current numerical designation during the war when it was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 57th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile on 15 December 1943. It was converted and redesignated as HHD, 57th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion on 1 August 1946, a designation it would retain for twenty years until it became HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion on 25 April 1966. Between 1966 and 1972, the Battalion took part in fourteen campaigns in the Vietnam War and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Inactivated from 1972 until October 1999, the 57th Transportation Battalion has deployed on several occasions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, but its campaign participation has not yet been determined. The “Gallant Spartans,” as the Battalion was officially nicknamed, was inactivated on 15 September 2011.