The Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB) for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) symbolizes the long history of the 27th Infantry Division being thrust into some of the fiercest combat in its time as well as rapid deployment for local emergencies. The 27th Infantry Brigade—formed in the 1990s—saw many of its members individually deployed to Iraq to as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom not long after the 9/11 attacks on its home state. Upon return, many combat-seasoned troops became part of the newly formed 27th ICBT, which was deployed in 2008 as a unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The symbolism found in the badge’s design rightly reflects the early history of toughness and sacrifice. It is round and contains a red symbol and seven red stars. Black represents the toughness of iron; red is symbolic of the blood that was shed in faithful duty to country. The letters N, Y, and D—for New York Division—merge to form the symbol, and the seven red stars that are dotted throughout the badge represent the constellation Orion. The unit’s proud allegiance to its home state is further displayed by its motto, “Empire,” and the inclusion of the motto on the unit’s Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest. Members of the original New York Guard chose the constellation Orion as a symbol and later, many of the soldiers who returned from battles in WWI say that Orion is a phonetic tribute to Maj. Gen. John F. O'Ryan, who led them from New York to Europe and safely back again.
It was the 27th Infantry Division’s service during WWI in France and Belgium that first gave it the right to proclaim its iron toughness and blood sacrifice. Placed immediately on the front lines alongside British and Australian forces for the great Somme "push" in 1918 along the Saint Quentin Canal Tunnel, it helped crack open the supposedly impenetrable German Hindenburg line.
In WWII, the 27th Infantry Division was again embroiled in some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific Theater. After capturing Makin Atol in 1942 and waging successful battles securing the Majuro atoll and Eniwetok Island in 1944, it was sent to Saipan in July of that year. It was there the 27th saw heavy casualties as its line outside an airfield in Saipan was overrun by the Japanese. The next day, remnants of the 27th retook the lines and drove the Japanese out of the caves of Saipan.
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27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Patch (SSI)
27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Unit Crest (DUI)