The 501st Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was originally approved on 16 November 1980, but that design was cancelled and a new one approved on 21 September 1993. A shield divided into four quadrants—two blue, two green—are a reference to the air and ground assets of the Battalion; the colors also allude to the close relationship the Battalion had with the Infantry and Armor unit of the 1st Armored Division.
The red lightning flash and with yellow border emphasizes the outsized role Electronics Signals Intelligence plays in 21st-Century warfare, while the Cavalry saber lightning flash, and quartered shield pay homage to the incorporation of traditional warfare elements with the newest advances in Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Security, and Electronic Warfare capabilities available to the Battalion. This focus on the Battalion’s willingness to embrace new technology, as well as its eagerness to lead the way by analyzing and disseminating Intelligence for Maneuver units, is incorporated in the unit motto of “Out Front.”
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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The 501st Military Intelligence Battalion was established through the redesignation of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 301st Army Security Agency Battalion to Headquarters, Headquarters and Operations Company, 501st Military Intelligence Battalion on 16 September 1980, when it was concurrently assigned to the lst Armored Division and activated in Germany.
The 301st ASA Battalion’s lineage goes back to the constitution of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 301st Communication Reconnaissance Battalion in 1950, which served in two Korean War Campaigns which were credited (along with a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation) to the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion. (The Battalion’s Company was additionally credited World War II campaigns in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater).
After Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Battalion was credited with participation in all three of that conflict’s campaigns, as well as another MUC, and several subordinate units-—Counter Intelligence-Prisoner of War Team, Ground Surveillance Reconnaissance, and Long Range Surveillance Detachment—were honored with a Valorous Unit Award for heroism against an armed enemy during Operation Desert Storm.
The Battalion and/or component units have deployed to the Mideast on several occasions in support of the War on Terrorism. While the entire Battalion is credited with a single military decoration (MUC for April to December 2003), several units in the organization have been tapped for individual honors. Company A was the recipient of a Presidential Unit Citation (March to June 2004) and a Navy Unit Commendation (February 2006 – February 2000), while Company B was also tapped for a Presidential Unit Citation (April to July 2004). Company C’s outstanding service during its first two deployments was recognized with a Valorous Unit Award (1 September to 30 November 2003), a Naval Unit Commendation (actually a Detachment from Company C for service from February 2006 – February 2007), and an MUC (January – April 2004).
The 501st Military Intelligence Battalion was inactivated in 2007 as part of the Army’s move toward a modular force structure and the transformation of the 1st Armored Division.