U.S. ARMY 17TH AVIATION BRIGADE UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 17th Aviation Brigade’s service in Vietnam is celebrated in its Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI). The ultramarine blue disc and the gold eagle, sword, and scroll embody the primary and secondary branch colors of Army Aviation, respectively, while the red lettering of “Freedom’s Eagles” and the gold scroll are the colors of the flag of the Republic of Vietnam, the country where the unit was activated in December 1965. The white edges of the sword being gripped in the Eagle’s talons reflects the purity of the cause for which the unit fought: freedom. An adaptation of this sword appears on the brigade’s Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB).

Originally authorized on 31 December 1968 for the 17th Combat Aviation Group, this insignia was subsequently redesignated for the 17th Aviation Brigade, with revised symbolism, on 16 December 1987.

Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is 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. 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.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

The 17th Aviation Brigade was originally constituted as HQ and HQ Company, 17th Aviation Group on 1 December 1965 in Vietnam and activated two weeks later. It took part in 16 of the 17 campaigns in Vietnam and was tapped for four Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Awards for its outstanding service. Inactivated from March 1973 to June 1975, the unit would spend the remainder of its service life stationed in Korea, where it was redesignated as the 17th Aviation Brigade in 1987. It was inactivated in 2005.

Related Items
17th Aviation Brigade Patch (SSI)
17th Aviation Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)

Price

$11.99

Quantity

USPHS

Merchant Marine

AUXILIARY

U.S. ARMY 17TH AVIATION BRIGADE UNIT CREST (DUI)