The Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of the 210th Armor Regiment was previously the unit crest of the 127th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion until it was redesignated on 26 March 1962. It was subsequently amended to add a motto on 30 August 1968, and a description was added on 13 October 1989. The cross in the center symbolizes the Regiment’s Civil War lineage—it was worn as a badge during that conflict. Above the cross is a taro leaf, reflecting service in Hawaii, and below it is a fleur-de-lis that reflects World War I service. “Ducit Amor Patriae,” the unit’s motto, is Latin for “Led By Love Of Country.”
But the insignia’s history goes back much farther than that. It was first approved for the 10th Infantry Regiment (the unit’s official special designation is Tenth New York) on 19 June 1926, and was redesignated for the 106th Infantry Regiment on 6 January 1941; the Regiment’s Infantry heritage is represented by the white of the shield (it was the original Infantry facings color). On 8 December 1950 it was redesignated for the 106th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, then for the 127th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion on 23 February 1954, which became the 127th Antiaircraft Battalion the next year.
Originally founded in 1860 as the 10th Infantry Regiment, the 210th Armor Regiment, New York Army National Guard was consolidated with the 101st Cavalry Regiment, also a NY ARNG unit, in 1993. The 101st retained its Distinctive Unit Insignia but was given the lineage of the 1st Battalion, 201th Armor Regiment.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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.
More 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.