In the nearly 140 years since its oldest ancestral unit was first organized, the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has served its country as variously sized formations in a slew of branches and specialties—Artillery, Coast Artillery, Antiaircraft Artillery, Armor, even Army Band. And regardless of the mission before them, the personnel of these units have always been determined to “Dominate The Fight” as quickly they could in order to hasten the raising of the victory flag.
The 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was approved on 2 February 2010 and celebrates the unit’s readiness for victory. A shield in the middle of the insignia features a scarlet border (color of Engineers and Field Artillery) and a blue field (Infantry) containing a large fleur-de-lis and six stars. The latter represent the six named World War II campaigns in which the Brigade's forebear units fought, while the fleur-de-lis stands for service during the First World War.
The unit’s history in the World War II Pacific is also recalled by the rampant sea lion; it is used on many Philippine seals and offices and represents the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation the unit was awarded. Red on the sea lion represents zeal, valor and courage, while the green recalls the sea and the lush tropical environment of the Southern Philippines.
Guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.
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As of Autumn 2023, the 79th Infantry Brigade is the California Army National Guard's largest combat unit. It is headquartered at San Diego, California and consists of two Infantry Battalions, a Cavalry Battalion, a Field Artillery Battalion, a Brigade Support Battalion, and a Brigade Engineer Battalion.
Related Items
79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Patch (SSI)
79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)