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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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The Distinctive Unit Insignia for Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC), Fort Irwin was originally approved for Weed Army Hospital on 29 January 1970. It was redesignated for the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Irwin on 4 January 1980.
This insignia celebrates the career of General Frank W. Weed, recipient of a Distinguished Service Medal for his service during World War I (as a Sanitary Inspector at Camp Funston and as Transportation Officer for the Hospital Division, Chief Surgeon’s Officer, American Expeditionary Forces, or AEF) and the Legion of Merit and a second Distinguished Service Medal during World War II.
In the center of the insignia is a dark blue oval that denotes Weed’s extensive overseas service in general, with symbols alluding to specific tours and achievements. A trio of stars above the Philippine sun are for three tours of duty as a surgeon and Medical officers in the Philippines; the lower half of the sun recalls the sun on the flag of the Republic of China to allude to the General’s service in Tientsin in 1914; and the fleur-de-lis at center is an emblem of his World War I service in France with the Office of the Chief Surgeon, AEF.
Weed’s aforementioned World War I Distinguished Service Medal is symbolized by the branch of laurel, while the crimson and white bar at the base of the insignia is a reference to the Legion of Merit he was awarded for his work as Commanding General of Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco. Serving almost as a crest is an open book that commemorates the General’s work as an Assistant Editor and then Editor-in-Chief of the fifteen-volume tome “Medical Department of the U.S. Army in the World War, regarded by many experts as a groundbreaking work.