A gold color metal and enamel insignia 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a black bomb shell emitting three scarlet flames surmounted on the left and on the right by two gold color Vietnamese baskets with bamboo handles, all between two scarlet scrolls the upper scroll inscribed "THERE" and the lower "WHEN NEEDED" all in gold letters, the baskets pendant from the upper scroll.
The flaming bomb shell stands for the Group's service as an Ordnance unit during World War II. The flames are three in number in reference to participation in three campaigns in Italy for which the Group was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer. The color scarlet alludes to that streamer. The two baskets with bamboo handles pendant from the arched scroll stand for the provision and the transporting of supplies in Vietnam where the Group had served as a General Support organization during that conflict. The baskets, often used in marketing and in harvesting, also refer to the "country store" concept of supply and service employed by the Group. In addition, the bowl shape of the baskets alludes to the organization's area of responsibility in the southern part of the Republic of Vietnam, called the "rice bowl" of the country.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 53rd General Support Group on 6 Jun 1969. It was redesignated for the 53rd Support Group on 28 Jul 1983.