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181ST 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 shield blazoned:  Per fess Azure and Gules, a chevron Argent, in chief a carabao's head caboshed Proper all between a pair of flaunches Or each charged with an arrowhead Sable.  Attached above the shield from a wreath Argent and Azure, a raven with wings endorsed issuing out of a ducal coronet all Proper.  Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Blue scroll inscribed "WE SUPPORT THE MISSION" in Gold letters.

Symbolism
Scarlet and buff (gold) are the colors used for Support.  The chevron, a heraldic symbol representing the support rafters of a gable, symbolizes the basic mission of the Battalion.  The chevron further alludes to snow-capped Mt. Rainier, one of the highest mountains in the state of Washington, and home are of the organization.  The carabao's head refers to the water buffalo indigenous to the Philippine Islands and alludes to the area of service of elements of the 181st Support Battalion in the Pacific during World War II.  The arrowheads refer to the two assault landings at New Guinea and Luzon and the colors blue, white and red symbolize the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded during that period.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 10 March 1972.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Per fess Azure and Gules, a chevron Argent, in chief a carabao's head caboshed Proper all between a pair of flaunches Or each charged with an arrowhead Sable.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Washington Army National Guard:  On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, a raven with wings endorsed issuing out of a ducal coronet all Proper.

Motto

WE SUPPORT THE MISSION.

Symbolism

Shield

Scarlet and buff (gold) are the colors used for Support.  The chevron, a heraldic symbol representing the support rafters of a gable, symbolizes the basic mission of the Battalion.  The chevron further alludes to snow-capped Mt. Rainier, one of the highest mountains in the state of Washington, and home are of the organization.  The carabao's head refers to the water buffalo indigenous to the Philippine Islands and alludes to the area of service of elements of the 181st Support Battalion in the Pacific during World War II.  The arrowheads refer to the two assault landings at New Guinea and Luzon and the colors blue, white and red symbolize the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded during that period.

Crest

The crest is that of the Washington Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was approved on 10 September 1971.  It was amended to correct the blazon of the crest on 8 June 1972.





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