The 489th Civil Affairs Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a unit crest or DUI, was approved on 14 June 1993. Purple and white, the colors traditionally associated with Civil Affairs units, are featured here in the background of the shield and the scroll in the center of it; the gold used for the torch and the trim of the scroll stands for excellence and high achievement. The torch and the scroll are also adapted from the Civil Affairs insignia of branch, while the palm frond commemorates service in the action to liberate Kuwait during the Gulf War. VIS AMPLIFICANS VIM, the unit motto, is displayed on a red scroll to denote courage and sacrifice; the text is Latin and translates as “Force Amplify Force.”
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.
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During the War on Terrorism, the Battalion and/or its elements have deployed on several occasions to Afghanistan and Iraq, with the Detachments from the Battalion receiving several awards for providing outstanding service while assigned or attached to other units. A good example is the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) it was awarded in 2012, the only time the Battalion was cited as a single entity. The text of the award cites “the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion (Less Company C)” because during the period of service for which the award was made, Company C was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry division assisting in combat and stability operations across two regional commands in Western and Southern Afghanistan—service for which Company C was tapped for a Valorous Unit Award.
Other elements of the Battalion whose superior service has been recognized with a military decoration include a Detachment, Company C (Provisional) which earned a MUC for the period April 2006-2007 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Valorous Unit Award for service in Afghanistan from 18 June 2011 to 14 May 201 and Detachments from Company A, awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation ((9 October 2007 to 30 May 2008 and a Valorous Unit Award (18 June 2007 to 1 August 2007).
The 489th Civil Affairs Battalion is an Army Reserve unit, and when it is not called into active military service is a component of the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Reserve. It is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee.