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32 Medical Battalion
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description
A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in diameter overall consisting of a disc bearing saltirewise a blue star of four points and surmounting it a red Greek cross with five-pointed silver star at its center and a maroon inverted triangle at the foot between the inscription around the lower circumference of the disc SUPPORT on the left and FOR LIFE on the right in maroon letters.

Symbolism
Maroon and white are the colors associated with the Army Medical Department.  The red cross is emblematic of aid and assistance.  The point at the base of the cross is a heraldic symbol used to depict a cross stuck in the ground during medieval battles to mark aid stations.  It is highlighted maroon to symbolize stability and aid and represents the basic functions of the units overall mission.  The disc alludes to mobility.  The five-pointed star symbolizes the parent units battle participation in the Normandy, Northern Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns during World War II.  The color red refers to the two Meritorious Unit Commendations awarded the parent unit for service in Vietnam.  The four-pointed star and four arms of the cross refer to the 44th Medical Brigade, and the colors red, white and blue allude to the XVIII Airborne Corps and reflect the units World War II lineage.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 32d Medical Unit (Supply, Optical and Maintenance) on 13 October 1981.  It was redesignated for the 32d Medical Battalion with the description and symbolism revised on 21 September 1992.




Coat of Arms


Blazon

Shield

Argent, a mullet of four saltirewise Azure surmounted by a cross Gules fitched Sanguine charged with a mullet of the field.

Crest

From a wreath Argent and Azure a dragons head Or entwined by a serpent Vert superimposed by two scimitars saltirewise of the first gripped Gules.

Motto

SUPPORT FOR LIFE.

Symbolism

Shield

Maroon and white are the colors associated with the Army Medical Department.  The red cross is emblematic of aid and assistance.  The point at the base of the cross is a heraldic symbol used to depict a cross stuck in the ground during medieval battles to mark aid stations.  It is highlighted maroon to symbolize stability and aid and represents the basic functions of the units overall mission.  The five-pointed star symbolizes the parent units battle participation in the Normandy, Northern Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns during World War II.  The color red refers to the two Meritorious Unit Commendations awarded the parent unit for service in Vietnam.  The four-pointed star and four arms of the cross refer to the 44th Medical Brigade, and the colors red, white and blue allude to the XVIII Airborne Corps and reflect the units World War II lineage.

Crest

The dragon represents the units World War II service in Europe while the serpent, a traditional symbol of healing, commemorates the honors the Battalion earned in Vietnam and alludes to the jungle environment of Vietnam.  The crossed scimitars represent service in Southwest Asia.

Background
The coat of arms was approved for the 32d Medical Battalion on 21 September 1992.  It was amended to include a crest on 3 September 1996.





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