Worn today by members of the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, the 589th Support Battalion Unit Crest, or Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), was first approved for the 589th Supply and Service Battalion 19 December 1967. It was redesignated with updated description and symbolism for the 589th Support Battalion on 29 October 2004, which serves as part of the 41st Field Artillery Brigade in Germany.
A black caltrop with gold trim and a set of gold pincers symbolize the basic mission of the Battalion—to provide supplies and provided maintenance and technical assistance services to all supported units. The caltrop and pincer are just below a fleur-de-lis at the top of the insignia; when it is combined with the three points of the caltrop and the color black that alludes to Germany, they symbolize the three battle honors (campaign credits) the unit received for World War II. “First With Service” is the Battalion motto.
The unit was originally constituted as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 589th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, and activated in England in July 1944. Following the three campaigns in Europe during World War II, it would undergo several redesignations and reorganizations, as well as periods of inactivity. It was finally designated as the 589th Support Battalion in 2004, and over the next four years it would earn two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
This was followed by a three-year period of inactivation that was brought to an end on 16 September 2018 when it was reactivated in Germany, where it remains stationed today at Grafenwöhr.
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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 (ASU, 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."