Officially known as a Distinctive Unit Insignia or DUI, the 62nd Medical Brigade's unit crest features a red cross, a symbol commonly used to signify comfort and aid that was also used to mark the Army’s ambulances. For the 62nd, it also refers to the Brigade's descent from being a collecting company and a motorized unit during World War ll. Maroon and white (silver) are the colors used for the Army Medical Department, and the fleur-de-lis references the unit’s service in France. The actions of the 62nd Motorized Medical Battalion’s service in saving lives on the battlefields of the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns are represented by the four rays emanating from the bottom of the fleur-de-lis and shining on the unit’s motto: “Proud and Steadfast”.
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. Current regulations do not permit DUI to be 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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Since its inception and service in WWll, the unit has transitioned from being focused on a few particular services to being in charge of a modern Army medical group and battalion. The first major deployment following its organization as a Brigade was to the affected areas of South Florida after Hurricane Andrew, one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history. However, the greatest challenge in performing its medical group responsibilities came in 1998 as it was deployed to the areas in Central America that were utterly devastated by Hurricane Mitch, which caused 25,000 deaths and 250,000 destroyed homes.
These civilian deployments helped ready the unit for its expanded duties as a combat medical brigade. The 62nd was called into action to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where it provided combat health support for Coalition forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Djibouti and the Horn of Africa. These actions brought the soldiers and the unit three Meritorious Unit Commendations, two for its service in Operation Iraq Freedom between 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 and one for Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq in 2010-2011.
As of Autumn 2023, the 62nd Medical Brigade is an active unit stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.