Since 1958, the 65th Medical Brigade has spent all its active-duty time based in the Republic of Korea, first while designated the 65th Medical Group (1958 – 1971) and under its current designation since 2008. The vast majority of that service time saw the Brigade based at the U.S. Army Garrison at Yongsan, but in November 2017 it and many other U.S. units relocated to U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys, roughly two dozen miles south of the Yongsan district.
The 65th Medical Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, was approved on the same day the unit received its current designation. An arced rectangle, the top and bottom halves of the patch are brown and blue respectively, divided b a wavy line to simulate the taeguk found on the Republic of Korea national flag. A downward-pointing sword with two snakes intertwined around it forms the shape of a caduceus; the sowrds pointing down denotes the unit’s non-combatant status and indicates direct support for military units in its area.
The yellow/gold of the “caduceus” wings and snakes is a symbol of excellence, and the white sword reflects the use of white in the Army Medical Department colors. A close look at the serpents reveals they cross each other seven times to represent six World War II campaign streamers and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
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65th Medical Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)