The 426th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 426th Supply and Transport Battalion on 12 February 1956. It was redesignated twice before being given its current designation: On 10 March 1969 for the 426th Supply and Service Battalion (with updated symbolism) and on 16 September 1986 for the 426th Supply and Transport Battalion (also with updated symbolism). Both the description and symbolism were revised when it was redesignated for the 426th Support Battalion on 16 April 1994. Today, it is worn by personnel assigned to the 426th Brigade Support Battalion.
The shield portion of the insignia is divided diagonally into two parts to reflect the dual functions the unit originally performed, Supply and Transport. A winged key lies on the diagonal partition to denote the Supply function and the speed at which the service was provided. In the lower section is a torteaux (a roundel) containing a star (“mullet”) that simulates a wheel and thus alludes to the distribution of supplies and its command and control of that service.
Four fleus-de-lis in the upper right portion of the shield and the six points of the mullet stand for four campaigns and six military decorations earned while the unit was designated as the 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company in World War II Europe. The two primary colors used for the shield point to the two types of organizations to which the unit’s predecessors belonged, i.e., buff for Quartermaster and brick-red for Transportation. "To The Task" is the Battalion motto.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."
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Originally constituted as the 326th Supply Train and assigned to the 101st Division back in 1918, the units in the 426th Support Battalion’s lineage had accumulated an impressive combat resume. In addition to the four World War II campaigns mentioned above, the Battalion is also credited with nine campaigns in Vietnam and two in the First Gulf War, augmented by a Presidential Unit Citation and a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) aearned in World War II and two more MUCs awarded for service in Vietnam between 1968-1970. Its foreign military honors include both a French and Belgian Croix de Guerre, a Belgian Fourragere 1940, a Netherlands Orange Lanyard, two Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citations, and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal, first class.
The Battalion’s history of outstanding service has continued unabated since the launch of the Global War on Terrorism. Deployed to the Middle East on multiple occasions, the Battalion was tapped for four MUCs for service between March 2003 and May 2011, was awarded a Valorous Unit Award for action during that time frame (9 June 2010 to 30 September 2010), and even picked up an Arm Superior Unit Award for the 12-month period from March 2009 to March 2010.
In addition to Battalion awards, the Companies in the Battalion have also been recognized for superior service, often when assigned or attached to another unit. All told, Companies D and F have earned three MUCs in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, while Companies G and E have both been chosen twice for the honor.
As of Spring 2023, the 426th Brigade Support Battalion is assigned to the1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and is located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.