Since its creation as the 15th Infantry Regiment in the New York National Guard in 1913, the 369th Sustainment Brigade has undergone eight redesignations. Over the years it has served in units in the Infantry, Artillery, and Quartermaster branches, serving with distinction in every role and often earning military decorations when called into active Federal Service.
While designated as the 369th Infantry regiment and comprised predominantly of African-American Soldiers during World War I, its achievements were honored not only with numerous (170) individual French Croix de Guerre awards, but also a regimental Croix de Guerre with Silver Star. It was during this period of service that the unit acquired several of its nicknames: The French dubbed them “Men of Bronze,” the Germans called them “HellFighters,” and the combination of African-American troops and the regiment’s unit crest of a coiled snake led to “Black Rattlers.”
The 369th Sustainment Brigade is an active unit in the New York Army National Guard as of Autumn 2023. Headquartered in Harlem in New York City, the Brigade is assigned to the 53rd Troop Command and in addition to its HQ and HQ Company consists of five six subordinate units: the 187th Signal Company, 145th Maintenance Company, 133rd Composite Supply Company, 719th Transportation Company, 1569th Transportation Company, and HHD, 27th Finance Management Battalion.
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Commonly called a unit crest or a DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia worn by personnel serving in today’s 369th Sustainment Brigade was approved on 17 April 1923 while the unit was still known as the 369th Infantry. It features a coiled rattlesnake on a blue shield, an image that was first used on many colonial and militia flags during the American revolution. A silver rattler on a blue shield served as the regimental insignia of 369th Infantry Regiment, and its use by the 369th Sustainment Brigade hearkens back to the exceptional, selfless service of that unit’s personnel.
Guidance on wear of the Distinctive Unit Insignia 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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369th Sustainment Brigade Patch (SSI)
369th Sustainment Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)