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478TH ENGINEER BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned:  Per bend Argent and Gules, a pickaxe bendwise counterchanged, in sinister chief a fleur-de-lis and in dexter base a stone war head of the like.  Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed NUMQUAM DEORSUM in Red letters.

Symbolism
Scarlet and white (silver) are the colors used for the Corps of Engineers. T he division of the shield into two parts refers to the dual function of the Engineers as an arm and a service.  The pickaxe alludes to the missions of the Battalion in construction and demolition.  The Battalions battle honors, awarded for service in World War II are represented by the fleur-de-lis for the European Theater and a stone war head for the Pacific Theater.  The motto translates to Never Down or Never Downwards.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 16 April 1958.  It was amended to change the spelling of the motto on 17 June 1971.




Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms

Blazon

Shield

Per bend Argent and Gules, a pickaxe bendwise counterchanged, in sinister chief a fleur-de-lis and in dexter base a stone war head of the like.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve:  On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules, the Lexington Minute Man Proper.  The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor), stands on the common in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Motto

NUMQUAM DEORSUM (Never Down or Never Downwards).

Symbolism

Shield

Scarlet and white are the colors used for the Corps of Engineers. The division of the shield into two parts refers to the dual function of the Engineers as an arm and a service.  The pickaxe alludes to the missions of the Battalion in construction and demolition.  The Battalions battle honors, awarded for service in World War II are represented by the fleur-de-lis for the European Theater and a stone war head for the Pacific Theater.

Crest

The crest is that of the United States Army Reserve.

Background
The coat of arms was approved on 16 April 1958.  It was amended to change the spelling of the motto on 17 June 1971.





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