Shield
Or, a dragon passant with wings elevated and addorsed, Vert, armed and langued Gules, charged on the wing with a fleur-de-lis of the first and in chief three hurts (Light Blue).
Crest
On a wreath Or and Vert, issuing from a wavy bar Azure bearing a wavy barrulet Argent, tongues of flame Proper supporting at top the Yin Yang symbol Gules and of the third, overall a spiked mace (morning star) of the fourth.
Motto
CRUSADERS.
Shield
The principal colors of the shield are those of Armor. The dragon is represented as a strong and fierce animal covered with invulnerable plates of mail, and in heraldry is properly applied to the overthrow of a vicious enemy. The fleur-de-lis charged on the wing symbolizes the organization's campaigns in Europe and the three blue roundels represent its Korean operations: U.N. Defensive, U.N. Offensive and C.C.F. Intervention.
Crest
The crest commemorates the unit's participation in the Korean War with special emphasis on the gallant and savage action on the Naktong River Line, 31 August to 3 September 1950, for which the unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. The Yin Yang symbol in red and blue refers to Korea, the Naktong River Line being alluded to by the wavy blue, white, and blue bar representing water. The spiked mace is used as a symbol for Armor and is placed over both the Naktong River Line and Korean Yin Yang symbols in reference to the 72d Armor having held, counter attacked and hurled back the enemy assaults which, if successful, could have rolled up the entire allied defense line. The fury and savage nature of this action is alluded to by the flames rising from the Naktong River Line and engulfing the mace, the tank crews having frequently to fire on each other with their small-arms fire to kill the enemy swarming over their tanks. The "morning star" type of mace is used in allusion to the crossing by the enemy of the Naktong River Line at 0600 hours, 1 September 1950, his repulse at dawn on 2 September and final withdrawal, after repeated attacks during the nights of 2 and 3 September and on the morning of 3 September. The Distinguished Unit Citation awarded the 72d Armor for this decisive and gallant action is alluded to by the wavy blue stripe which simulates a streamer, and in conjunction with the white stripe refers to Korean Service.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 72d Tank Battalion on 8 January 1952. It was redesignated for the 72d Armor Regiment on 28 March 1963. It was amended to add a crest on 30 October 1964.