The 86th Combat Support Hospital Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, features a stylized Japanese shelter with light shining forth and a maroon cross with scarlet and gold borders, a symbol of the care that was offered and the knowledge that was shared by the Hospital white stationed at Osaka, Japan. A red annulet encircling the gold rays is an allusion to the collection and evacuation functions of the Hospital.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. 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.
This insignia was originally approved on 2 July while the unit was still designated as the 86th Evacuation Hospital It was redesignated on 20 April 1973 for the 86th Combat Support Hospital, but on 16 March 1984 it was redesignated once again for the 86th Evacuation Hospital. Nine years later, it was redesignated for the 86th Combat Support Hospital on 16 November 1993. With the redesignation of the 86th Combat Support Hospital as the 586th Field Hospital in 2018, this insignia will likely be approved for wear by members of the new unit.
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Nicknamed “Eagle Medics,” the 86th Combat Support Hospital was originally constituted in the Regular Army as the 86th Evacuation Hospital on 21 December 1928, but was not activated until 20 March 1944 at Camp Bowie, Texas. Reorganized and redesignated as the 86th Evacuation Hospital, Semimobile on 5 December 1944, the unit was awarded an uninscribed World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater streamer for its service before it was inactivated on 28 February 1946 in Japan.
Over twenty years later, the unit was redesignated the 86th Evacuation Hospital on 18 April 1967 and activated on August 1st. It would undergo three reorganization/redesignations over the next twenty-six years, ping-ponging between two designations: 86th Combat Support Hospital (1972—1984, 1993—2018) and 86th Evacuation Hospital (1984—1983). It deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, taking part in all three of that conflict’s campaigns and earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Since the launch of the War on Terrorism, the unit has deployed to Iraq and Kuwait on several occasions, with the unit and/or its Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment earning three Meritorious Unit Commendations (2004—2005, 2007—2008, 2010—2011) and two campaign streamers.
Following its last deployment to Kuwait in 2018 in support of Operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel, the 86th Combat Support Hospital was reorganized and redesignated as the 586th Field Hospital.