Also called a unit crest, the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of
the 508th Support Battalion was approved on 7 May 1973. It consists of a shield portion that with imagery that emphasizes the Battalion’s various functions and a golden scroll with the unit motto “Proud Providers” inscribed upon it in black.
On the shield, a red chevron is used to signify general Support; chevrons have been used for centuries in heraldry to denote an organization’s provision of Support. Inside the chevron, a cornucopia is an emblem of a near-endless supply of Materiel for the modern War Fighter. Above the chevron are two vertical bars called pallets. Here, the two pallets (vertical bars) are a strong visual symbol of the unit’s Transportation mission, with the embattled edges of the pallets assuming the appearance of a fortified castle wall.
Also known as a unit crest 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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
It is not clear when the 508th Support Battalion was redesignated, inactivated, or disestablished, but its origins are not as murky. On 1 October 1970, Support Company and Band, 108th Division (Training) was redesignated as Headquarters, Headquarters Company, and Band, 508th Support Battalion, an element of the 108th Division (Training). On 1 December 1971, the HQ and HQ company were reorganized and redesignated as HQ and HQ Company and Detachment, 508th Support Battalion.
In November 1982, the Band element was withdrawn and redesignated as the 808th Army Band, with the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 508th Support Battalion beginning its own lineage at that point; unfortunately, there is very little readily available information to share regarding the “Proud Providers.”
We encourage any customers or Web site visitors with information on the 502th Support Battalion’s lineage or history to
email us here at The Salute Uniforms so we can verify it and share it with our visitors.