The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, a South Carolina Army National Guard unit based in Columbia, South Carolina, has a history that dates back prior the Civil War with the organization of the Governor’s Guard in the South Carolina Volunteer Militia at Columbia on 7 May 1843. Attached to the 23rd Regiment, it was mustered into Federal service on 15 December 1846 as Company H, Palmetto Regiment and fought in four Mexican War campaigns.
These marked the first of nearly two dozen campaigns spanning four wars over the next 180 years in which units in the Battalion’s lineage would take part, with ten campaigns fought as part of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Others include three World War campaigns, five during World War II (including one campaign streamer with an Arrowhead for participation in an assault landing), and two during the War on Terrorism (Global War on Terrorism and Iraq Sovereignty).
Designated as an Infantry unit for much of its history, the unit was redesignated as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 751st Maintenance Battalion on 1 January 1968. On 1 September 2008, it was redesignated as the HHC, 751st Support Battalion and is now known as the 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. Its military honors include a Meritorious Unit Commendation, a French Croix de Guerre with Palm (World War II), a Belgian Fourragere 1940, and a Citation in the Order of the Belgian Army for action in Belgium.
A sprocket wheel forms the basis of the 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest. It symbolizes the organization’ former mission to provide command and technical operational supervision of attached maintenance Units, with a black annulet in the center alluding to continuous mobility of its units. A crescent moon on a blue background was inspired by the design of the flag of South Carolina, its home state; the crescent is also a symbol of watchfulness and readiness. Crimson and blue are associated with Maintenance units, the Battalion’s previous designation. “Pride In Efficiency” is the unit motto.
The 751st Combat Sustainment Support unit crest, officially known as a Distinctive Unit Insignia or DUI, was originally approved for the 751st Maintenance Battalion on 4 March 1971. It was redesignated with an effective date of 1 September 2008 for the 751st Support Battalion with the description and symbolism updated.
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.