Frequently referred to as a unit crest or a DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 180th Cavalry Regiment was originally approved on 20 October 1925 for the 180th Infantry Regiment. It was amended on 10 May 1979 to revised the symbolism and was subsequently redesignated for the 180th Cavalry Regiment on 1 December 2008. The insignia’s blue shield commemorates the Regiment’s origins in the Infantry branch of the Army, and the three arrows are a tribute to the rich Indian heritage of the unit’s home state of Oklahoma. Tanap Nanaiya Kia Alhtaiyaha, the unit motto, is in the Choctaw Indian language and translates to “Ready In War Or Peace.”
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 (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.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Officially nicknamed the “Oklahoma Warriors” in tribute to the state in which it was organized, the 180th Cavalry Regiment was originally constituted as the 1st Infantry Regiment in the Oklahoma Volunteer Militia in 1890. Though twice mustered into Federal service, the organization would not see combat until after it was drafted into Federal service as the 1st Infantry, Oklahoma National Guard in August 1917. It was consolidated with the 7th Infantry, Texas National Guard in October 1917 with the newly created unit being designated as the 142nd Infantry; it would go on to fight in the Meuse-Argonne campaign as part of the 36th Division.
Demobilized in 1919, some of the old 1st Infantry elements were consolidated with elements from the newer 3rd Infantry (organized September 1918), with the new unit retaining the 3rd Infantry designation. It would be redesignated as the 180th Infantry in October 1921 and assigned to the 45th Division.
It was with the 45th Division, which became the 45th Infantry Division in February 1942, that the Regiment served in eight campaigns in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, earning two Arrowhead devices by taking part in assault landings in the Sicily and Southern France campaigns and garnering a French Croix de Guerre. (The unit that eventually became today’s Headquarters Troop was individually awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for the Battle of the Mortagne River.) The Regiment would continue its service with the 45th Infantry in four Korean War campaigns, earning a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (its HQ Troop was individually awarded a Presidential Unit Citation a Meritorious Unit Commendation and Troop B, 1st Battalion was tapped for two Presidential Unit Citations).
The Regiment would undergo a half-dozen reorganizations over the decades between the end of the Korean War and 2008, when it was converted, reorganized, and redesignated as the 180th Cavalry Regiment to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. This major change took place in December 2008, just a few months after what became Troop A, 1st Squadron completed a tour in Iraq for which it was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
As of Autumn 2023, the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment (1-180th CAV) is still assigned to the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard. Its Headquarters and Headquarters Troop are based in Macalester, Oklahoma.