The 90th Sustainment Command Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was originally approved for the 90th Army Reserve Command on 19 October 1979. A vertical blue arrow is the centerpiece of the insignia, with the shaft of the arrow representing general service and the arrowhead—which is superimposed over a gold lion taken from the coat of arms of Normandy—serving as a symbol of participation in the amphibious assault at Normandy. The white star behind the arrows stands for the Brigade’s origins in Texas, the Lone Star State; five points on the star equal the total number of World War II campaigns that the unit took part in. A pair of crossed bayonets is represent the combat decorations won by the unit during the Second World War, viz., the French Croix de Guerre and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
“Tough Ombres” was inspired by the unit’s Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and the monogrammed letters “TO” that were intended to stand for the states of Texas and Oklahoma. After the Brigade experienced severely high casualties during the Normandy landings and the battle to establishment a lodgment while continuing to keep their drive alive, someone remarked at the toughness displayed by the Division—and the
nom de guerre “Tough Ombres” soon followed.
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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The 90th Sustainment Brigade is a United States Army Reserve unit that was originally constituted in August 1917 as the 90th Division. It fought under that designation in three World War I campaigns and was subsequently redesignated as the 90th Infantry Division before being deployed to the European Theater in World War II and taking part in five campaigns, earning an Arrowhead device for participating in the Normandy landings in June 1944. Today, the 90th Sustainment Brigade is headquartered in North LIttle Rock, Arkansas and has two subordinate units under its command, the 316th Quartermaster Battalion and the 348th Transportation Battalion.