The 32nd Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron oval—an embroidered device officially termed Airborne background trimming—was authorized on 8 January 2008, reflecting the organization's designation as an Airborne unit “by structure, equipment, and mission” following its assignment to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division on 16 September 2005.
Worn by Squadron personnel who have qualified for a Parachutist and/or Air Assault badge, the oval is worn beneath the badge. The main portion of the badge is centered on the oval, with the two devices counting as a single item in determining allowable number of badges on the uniforms for which the badges are authorized for wear. These include AGSU and ASU coats (including ASU Dress), Class B ASU shirts, and the blue or green Army Maternity Tunic (Female soldiers only).
Detailed instructions regarding the wear and positioning of the Parachutist and Air Assault badges can be found in DA PAM 670-1,
Chapter 22-16 (b), “Wear of nonsubdued combat and special skill badges and special skill tab metal replicas.”
1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment was originally constituted in the Regular Army as 3rd Armored Regiment, an element of the 3d Armored Division. It would earn a Presidential Unit Citation as Company A, 32nd Armored Regiment during World War II, and was also awarded a Belgian Fourragere for two citations in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army. It underwent several redesignations and periods of inactivation before serving in the Gulf War of 1990-1991 while designated as 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor. Assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, the unit fought in all three of the conflict’s named campaigns, and its courage under fire was recognizd with a Valorous Unit Award.
Since its assignment to the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, the Squadron has deployed several times in support of the Global War on Terrorism. It was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUCS) for service in Iraq between 2005-2008, and in June 2011 it was tapped for its third MUC for service between 24 May 2010 and 23 April 2011.
Its most recent military decoration was announced on 15 December 2020, with a Detachment from the Squadron being honored with an MUC for its outstanding service between December 2019 and October 2019.
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32nd Cavalry Regiment Unit Crest (DUI)