The 389th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) or unit crest, was approved on 1 February 1965, but it was amended to change the base metal from silver to gold on 18 May 1977. A fleur-de-lis recalls the unit’s service in France during World War II. Behind the fleur-de-lis is a gold-colored spade iron, a centuries-old heraldic symbol used a reinforcement for a wooden spade to denote digging, one of the most fundamental aspects of construction and thus one of the unit’s primary functions. This concept is reinforced by the unit motto, “Down To Earth.”
The 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 (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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."
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Currently assigned to the 372nd Engineer Brigade, 416th Engineer Command, the 389th Engineer Battalion is an Army Reserve unit that was originally constituted on 25 February 1943 as the 165th Engineer Combat Battalion. It would take part in four campaigns during World War Two in the European Theater before being inactivated in November 1945.
In May 1947, it was redesignated as the 389th Engineer Construction Battalion and allotted to the Organized Reserves (later Organized Reserve Corps and then Army Reserve) before being activated on 17 July 1947. It received its current designation on 1 February 1954 following a reorganization.
While stationed at Dubuque, Iowa, the Battalion was called into active military service and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where its superior service was later recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
As of Spring 2022, the Battalion remains headquartered at Dubuque, Iowa.