In its original incarnation as the 464th Chemical Group constituted on 20 October 1953, the 464th Chemical Brigade was assigned to First United States Army and activated on 1 December 1952 in New York City. The 464th Chemical Group was inactivated on 31 January 1968 and subsequently reactivated on 22 February 1972 in Orlando, Florida and assigned to Third United States Army. Just over a decade later, the unit was reassigned to Second U.S. Army on 1 October 1983. In June 1987, it underwent reassignment again, this time to First U.S. Army, and relocated from Orlando to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It received its current designation on 16 September 1987 and served under it until its official inactivation in September 2008.
“We Serve In Silence” was the motto of the 464th Chemical Brigade, reflecting both the silent yet deadly nature of chemical weapons and the silent and often thankless tasks that Chemical Soldiers perform with expertise, honor, and dignity.
The 464th Chemical Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was approved on 20 November 1987. Cobalt blue and golden yellow, the only two colors used for the insignia, are the branch colors of the Chemical Corps. A saltire signifies strength and support, while the droplets represent a common method to disperse chemical agents. The droplets also invoke the unit’s numerical designation: 4 blue drops at the top, 6 yellow drops in the middle, and 4 blue drops at the bottom.
Related Items
464th Chemical Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
464th Chemical Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)