Activated in France on 24 October 1944, the 3348th Signal Service Group—first incarnation of today’s 2nd Theater Signal Brigade—earned a campaign streamer with no inscription for the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, typically a sign that its personnel were parceled out for use as reinforcements to units already in combat. During the Vietnam War, however, the unit, by that point designated as HQ and HQ Detachment, 2nd Signal Group and based out of Fort Bragg, took part in an astonishing 14 campaigns between 1965 and 1971, earning two Meritorious Unit Commendations along the way.
Redesignated the 2nd Signal Brigade in 1979, the unit earned an Army Superior Unit Award for its service between 2004 – 2005 and another for 2009 – 2010, living out its unit motto of “EXCELLENCE.” As of Summer 2023, the unit is designated as the 2nd Theater Signal Brigade and is a subordinate command of the Army Network Enterprise Technology Command headquartered at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne in Germany.
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The orange found throughout the 2nd Signal Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia is the Signal Corps branch color, and the orange fleur-de-lis is a reference to its service in France in the Second World War. A conical Vietnamese hat (nón lá) represents the Brigade’s many years of service in Vietnam, reinforced by the three orange bands that recall the flag of the Republic of Vietnam; the center band is broken to symbolize minus signs, a reference to negative charges of electrical impulses. The laurel wreath has been awarded for centuries as a sign of outstanding achievement.
Also known as unit crests, Distinctive Unit Insignias (DUIs) 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 (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" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.
Related Items
2nd Theater Signal Brigade Patch (SSI)