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189TH SUPPORT BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 5/16 inches (3.33 cm) in height overall consisting of a crimson flame surmounted by a blue equilateral triangle charged in center with a gold eight-rayed sun above two gold bolo knives in saltire overall.  Attached below the bolo handles a gold triparted scroll inscribed "FIRST IN MAINTENANCE" in blue letters.

Symbolism
The crimson flame alludes to the parent unit's origin as an Ordnance Battalion.  The crossed bolo knives represent campaign honors earned in Luzon and New Guinea by the predecessor during World War II.  The golden sunburst on the blue triangle is adapted from the flag of the Philippines and denotes the award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the former unit.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 189th Maintenance Battalion on 15 March 1967.  It was redesignated for the 189th Support Battalion with the description and symbolism revised effective 16 September 1993.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Per bend Buff and Purpure, a motor truck wheel Proper a motor truck wheel Proper (aluminum hub cap, black hub, and rim, yellow spokes, gray tire), within a bordure indented compony Or and Crimson.

Crest

From a wreath Or and Gules (Crimson), a triangle Azure fimbriated Or charged in chief with an eight-rayed sun above two bolo knives saltirewise overall all of the last.

Motto

FIRST IN MAINTENANCE.

Symbolism

Shield

Purple, buff and the wheel reflect the original organization, the 3rd Mortar Repair Battalion.  The indented crimson and yellow border denotes the unit's descent from Ordnance.  The indentations represent the speed with which missions are accomplished.

Crest

The crossed bolo knives represent campaign honors earned in Luzon and New Guinea by the predecessor Battalion during World War II.  The golden sunburst on the blue triangle is adapted from the flag of the Philippines and denotes the award of the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation to the former unit.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 189th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Battalion on 18 February 1943.  It was rescinded on 22 April 1977.  The coat of arms was reinstated and redesignated for the 189th Support Battalion and amended to add a crest effective 16 September 1993.





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