The 409th Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on 20 August 1925 for the 409th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves. “Organized Reserves” was removed when the insignia was amended in July 1959, followed by a second amendment on 25 June 1970 that changed the symbolism. The insignia was given its current designation, with an updated description, on 17 June 1999.
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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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The 409th Regiment was originally constituted on 24 June 1921 as the 409th Infantry in the Organized Reserves and assigned to the 103rd Division (later redesignated as the 103rd Infantry Division). During World War II, it served in the European-African-Middle East Theater and fought in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns.
Briefly inactivated from September 1945 to late October 1946, the unit was placed in the Organized Reserves with its HQ at St. Paul, Minnesota, and would remain a Reserve unit as the organization went through redesignations to become the Arm Reserve. In May 1959, the Regiment was reorganized as a parent regiment in the Combat Arms Regimental System consisting of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 103rd Infantry Division.
Four years later, another reorganization changed 1st Battle Group to 1st Battalion and its assignment from the 103rd to the 205th Infantry Brigade, a situation that remained unchanged for over three decades until the 1st Battalion was inactivated (and relieved from assignment to the 205th Infantry Brigade.
On 17 October 1999, the 409th Infantry was withdrawn from the Combat Arms Regimental System, redesignated as the 409th Regiment, and reorganized to consist of 1st and 2nd Battalions, elements of the 85th Division (Training Support) and concurrently allotted to the Regular Army. The Battalions have earned the Regiment two Army Superior Unit Awards, one for 2003-2004 and another for 2008-2011.
Today, the 409th Regiment consists of two Battalions, both assigned to the 4th Cavalry Brigade, First Army Division East, where they serve as Brigade Support Battalions assisting the Brigade in training Army Reserve and National Guard elements for sustained combat operations. The Battalions are based at Fort Knox, Kentucky.