353D REGIMENT
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/16 inches (2.70 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, in dexter chief a Lorraine cross Gules and in sinister base a sunflower slipped Proper.

Symbolism
The shield is blue for Infantry. The cross of Lorraine in red is emblematic of service in the St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne offensives both in Lorraine. The sunflower refers to Kansas, the home of practically all of the original enlisted personnel. While at Camp Funston, the 353d received a great deal of publicity as "The All Kansas Regiment," in the 89th Division.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 7 August 1968. It was amended to update the description on 8 October 2008.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Azure, in dexter chief a Lorraine Cross Gules fimbriated Argent, and in sinister base a sunflower slipped Proper.

Crest

From a wreath Argent and Azure between two swords pilewise of the first (Silver Gray) gripped Gules superimposed in base by the embattlements of a tower of the first (Silver Gray), a lion rampant Or charged on the shoulder with an escutcheon Vert, seven barrulets of the third, a palm frond bend sinisterwise of the fourth.

Motto

TO THE STARS THROUGH DIFFICULTIES.

Symbolism

Shield

The shield is blue for Infantry. The cross of Lorraine in red is emblematic of service in the St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne offensives both in Lorraine. The sunflower refers to Kansas, the home of practically all of the original enlisted personnel. While at Camp Funston, the 353d received a great deal of publicity as "The All Kansas Regiment," in the 89th Division. The motto is the motto of the State of Kansas rendered in English.

Crest

The lion represents courage and strength, its gold color is emblematic of excellence and high ideals. The shield on the lion with its configuration and colors with the palm frond represents and commemorates the unit's decoration and honor of the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for World War I. The two swords highlight the two World Wars in which the unit has earned campaign credits. The tower embattlements signify defense and refer to the castles of Europe, area of operation of the Regiment in World War I and World War II.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 353d Infantry Regiment, Organized Reserves on 27 May 1924. It was amended to correct the wording of the blazonry of the shield on 10 December 1924. It was again amended to correct the wording of the blazonry of the shield on 28 August 1926. The insignia was redesignated for the 353d Regiment, Army Reserve on 29 January 1962. The insignia was amended to delete the Reserve crest and add a new crest on 27 October 2008.





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