Four main components make up the 734th Regional Support Group Shoulder Sleeve Insignia that was approved for wear on 6 April 2012: a shield with a yellow interior, a red Mexican jar (olla), a black arrowhead, and a hawk’s head. The shield emphasizes defense, while the olla and hawk are references to the unit’s heritage as an Iowa National Guard Unit; the olla is soldier red to indicate Logistics duties. The black arrowhead denotes readiness for service, exemplified by the six campaigns the unit took part in during World War II.
Today’s 734th Regional Support Group was originally organized and Federally recognized in the Iowa National Guard on 2 August 1921 and 9 February 1938 as Company C and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Division, respectively, both as elements of the 34th Division (later 34th Infantry Division. Inducted into Federal Service on 10 February 1941, the units took part in six campaigns in the European Theater before inactivation on 3 November 1945.
The units remained in the Infantry branch until some consolidations and reorganizations yielded the 34th and 185th Support Centers in 1992, which were consolidated to form the 185th Support Center in 1995. It was redesignated as the 734th Maintenance Battalion in 1996, followed a decade later by redesignation to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 734th Support Group on 1 April 2006. It was subsequently expanded to become a Regional Support Group and is headquartered at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.
Related Items
734th Regional Support Group Unit Crest (DUI)
734th Regional Support Group Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)