Although worn today by members of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion (nicknamed “Blackheart”), this Distinctive Unit Insignia—also called a unit crest, or DUI—features symbolism based on the lineage and honors of the unit’s previous designation, specifically the 742nd Ordnance Battalion, with an emphasis on its service in World War II.
The two predominant colors, crimson and yellow, are the branch color of Ordnance. A golden key at the top of the insignia is a symbol of the Rhineland campaign because it was a familiar charge (image) seen in the corporate arms of the towns of Rheinprovinz, the German province in which the crossing of the Rhine River was made and the Siegfried line was breached. A gold lion rampant is taken from the arms of Bavaria (Bayern) to represent the Central Europe campaign, during which much of the action was centered around the province. SERVITIUM, the unit motto, is Latin for “Service.”
Full 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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But this insignia was worn by personnel in more units than just the 742nd Ordnance Battalion (approved in October 1952) and the current 642nd Aviation Support Battalion. It was also redesignated for the 42nd Maintenance Battalion on 21 June 1967, for the 642nd Support Battalion on 18 October 1991, and then for a different 642nd Support battalion on 31 August 1998. Although it was amended to correct the description on13 January 2014, The Institute of Heraldry has no information regarding when its use was authorized for the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion.
As of Summer 2023, the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion is a component of the New York Army National Guard. It is headquartered in Rochester, New York and is assigned to the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division.