Inducted into Federal service in September 1940, the 44th Infantry Division—precursor of the current 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (BCT)—experienced its first action during World War II after landing at Cherbourg. As part of the Seventh Army, the 44th liberated towns such as Avricourt, Ratzwiller and penetrated the Maginot Line. After crossing he Neckar River, the 44th helped capture Mannheim. The division's wartime prize was delivered on May 2,1945 when Wernher von Braun and other scientists who helped create the V-2 rocket surrendered to the division. Von Braun was later relocated to the U.S. as part of the controversial program known as Operation Paperclip and helped spearhead its space exploration program.
The same three colors found on the brigade’s Combat Service ID Badge (
CSIB) and
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (Unit Patch) are also used on its unit crest, or Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI); they represent the three units that were combined in 1959 to form what is today's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Two crossed bayonets represent not only close combat associated with infantry combat, but also preparedness and vigilance. And though this Distinctive Unit Insignia was only approved for wear in December, 2007, the unit's Special Designation emblazoned across the bottom—"Jersey Blues"—has been in use for over 260 years.
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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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Enlisted personnel wear the insignia centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
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.