The 145th Armored Regiment can trace its origins to the days just after the fall of Fort Sumter in April 1861 when it was organized in the Ohio Militia as the 7th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Between 1861 and 1864, the 7th took part in six Civil War campaigns, the last being Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. The Regiment’s nickname, “Fifth Ohio,” is taken from the reorganization of several Infantry companies from the 15th Infantry Regiment to form the 5th Infantry Regiment in July 1881.
After being called into Federal service in July 1917, the unit was redesignated the 145th Infantry and along with the 146th Infantry formed the 73rd Infantry Brigade, 37th Division, and eventually was credited with participation in three campaigns during World War I. The Regiment would continue its close association with the 37th Infantry Division during World War II, and would earn campaign credits for the Northern Solomons and Luzon offensives (the latter with an arrowhead); it also garnered a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and its HQ Company was awarded three Meritorious Unit Commendations. Other units that would eventually be consolidated with the 145th brought their campaign credits and honors to the Regiment’s lineage.
In 1959, the unit was designated the 145th Infantry in the Combat Arms Regimental System, consisting of two battle groups. It was consolidated with the 107th Cavalry in 1974 to become the 107th Armored Cavalry, and four years after becoming part of the U.S. Army Regimental System it was reorganized and redesignated as the 107th Cavalry in 1993, comprising the 4th Squadron and the 1st Battalion as an element of the 28th Infantry Division. It wasn’t until 2007 that it became the 145th Armored Regiment, with its 1st Battalion an element of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, and the 107th Cavalry Regiment. As of 2018, it consists of just the 1st Battalion, nicknamed the “Iron Knights.”
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The 145th Armored Regiment’s Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved in 1928, and naturally reflects some of its major achievements to that point in time. A white background reflects the Regiment’s status as an Infantry unit during World War I, while the Falcon in the upper right (from the coat of arms of Montfaucon) and the wavy bend (symbolizing the Escaut River) are symbols of the Regiments outstanding service in World War I.
Also known as a unit crest or 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 (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 insignit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.