The 223rd Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), also known as a unit crest, was originally approved for the 223d Engineer Aviation Battalion on 4 October 1955. It was redesignated for the 223rd Engineer Battalion on 10 April 1957.
CRESCIT LABORE, a Latin phrase meaning “It Grows With Labor,” is the unit motto of the 223rd Engineer Battalion inscribed on a scroll that forms the base of its DUI; the scarlet letters and white (silver) scroll incorporate the official branch colors of the Corps of Engineers. The black diagonal bend with white borders represents an airstrip and is a reference to the Battalion’s primary mission (while designated as an Engineer Aviation Battalion) of constructing airfields, a concept reinforced with the image of a bulldozer and scraper.
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.
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.
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A unit in the Mississippi Army National Guard, the 223rd Engineer Battalion is headquartered at West Point, Mississippi and is assigned to the 184th Sustainment Command. It has been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom on several occasions. On September 2010, the Battalion (less Company B) was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding service between 10 April 2003 and 5 November 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In May 2023, the 223rd Engineer Battalion took part in a joint readiness exercise with the 14th Medical Group, U.S. Air Force that was designed to help Airmen refine casualty evacuation abilities and familiarize them with medical contingency operations in the type of joint environment likely to be encountered in future real-world operations.