U.S. Army / U.S. Army Heraldry / Unit Insignia / Distinctive Unit Insignia, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, Coat of Arms / Medical & Veterinary / 641 Medical Battalion /

641ST MEDICAL 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 shield blazoned:  Per bend Argent and Celeste (Oriental Blue) a griffin segreant holding in its talons a serpent erect and respectant Or.  Attached below the shield a Gold motto scroll with the inscription "ADVANTAGE THRU KNOWLEDGE" in Oriental Blue.

Symbolism
The symbolism, attributed to the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion, for whom the coat of arms was originally designed, is as follows:  The winged griffin, symbol of vigilance and strength, combats a serpent, representing the antagonist forces with which the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion must contend.  The colors blue and gold are taken from the flag of Oregon, home state of the Battalion.  White represents Mount Hood, the state's tallest peak.  The colors blue and silver gray (argent) are also traditionally associated with Military Intelligence.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion on 13 February 1984.  It was redesignated for the 641st Medical Battalion on 13 December 1995.  The insignia was amended to correct the description on 12 September 1996.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Per bend Argent and Celeste (Oriental Blue) a griffin segreant holding in its talons a serpent erect and respectant Or.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Oregon Army National Guard:  From a wreath Argent and Celeste (Oriental Blue) a demi-disc Gules charged with the setting sun with twelve light rays Or (the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 41st Division), behind a beaver sejant Proper.

Motto

ADVANTAGE THRU KNOWLEDGE.

Symbolism

Shield

The symbolism, attributed to the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion, for whom the coat of arms was originally designed, is as follows:  The winged griffin, symbol of vigilance and strength, combats a serpent, representing the antagonist forces with which the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion must contend.  The colors blue and gold are taken from the flag of Oregon, home state of the Battalion.  White represents Mount Hood, the state's tallest peak.  The colors blue and silver gray (argent) are also traditionally associated with Military Intelligence.

Crest

The crest is that of the Oregon Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 641st Military Intelligence Battalion on 13 February 1984.  It was redesignated for the 641st Medical Battalion on 13 December 1995.  The insignia was amended to correct the blazon on 12 September 1996.





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