U.S. Army / U.S. Army Heraldry / Unit Insignia / Distinctive Unit Insignia, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, Coat of Arms / Support / 949 Support Battalion /

949TH SUPPORT BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a light blue Lorraine cross surmounted at the center by a five-pointed white star all between a small gold arrowhead point up on each side, and all on a crimson background terminating at the top below a horizontal green laurel sprig supported at each end by a gold scroll encircling the sides of the device and looped in back of and below the base of the cross and bearing the inscription "PRIDE OF" on the left and "ORDNANCE" on the right, all in crimson letters.

Symbolism
Crimson and light blue are the colors associated with Maintenance, the branch of the former Battalion.  The former unit's World War II service for which it was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, and streamer inscribed "VOSGES" is indicated by the red and green color for the Croix de Guerre ribbon, the laurel sprig for the Palm, and the Lorraine cross for the Vosges district in the French province, Lorraine.  The original unit's World War II participation in seven campaigns with two arrowhead awards is denoted by the five points of the star and two arrowheads.  The white star is from the authorized crest for units of the Texas Army National Guard.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 949th Maintenance Battalion on 15 May 1972.  It was rescinded on 5 November 1975.  It was reinstated and authorized for the 949th Maintenance Battalion on 30 November 1976.  The insignia was redesignated for the 949th Support Battalion with the symbolism revised effective 1 June 1987.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Per chevron Gules and Azure, on a chevron between in chief two broad arrows and in base a cross of Lorraine or five gunstones and on a canton Argent the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 36th Infantry Division, World War II Proper.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Texas Army National Guard:  On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, a mullet Argent encircled by a garland of live oak and olive Proper.

Motto

PRIDE OF ORDNANCE.

Symbolism

Shield

The chevron indicates military leadership.  Gunstones connote artillery and they simulate grenades.  Crimson and light blue are colors associated with Maintenance, the branch of the former organization.  All of the above, along with the canton refer to the former unit's origin, their allotted State, World War II service and lineage.  The broad arrows denote the former unit's participation in the assault landings in the Naples-Foggia and Southern France campaigns.  The gunstones are also used to refer to the Anzio, Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe campaigns, and the cross of Lorraine refers to the French Croix de Guerre with palm awarded to the former organization.

Crest

The crest is that of the Texas Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 949th Maintenance Battalion on 10 May 1977.  It was redesignated for the 949th Support Battalion with the symbolism revised effective 1 June 1987.





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