A subordinate unit of the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion was originally constituted in the Regular Army as Headquarters (HQ), 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion on 30 June 1952 and activated the following September 1st. Before it was reorganized and redesignated as HQ, 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion on 28 March 1954, the Battalion had taken part in five Korean War campaigns and eventually was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its outstanding service.
Inactive from 20 January 1955 until 25 March 1961, the Battalion was redesignated as HQ and HQ Company, 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion on 20 March 1961. Its next period of inactivation last over eight years and ended on 1 October 1986 with the unit’s activation at its current home of Fort Lewis, Washington. Since that time, the Battalion has deployed several times in support of the War on Terrorism, with the entire Battalion being awarded an MUC and its HQ and HQ and Service Company and additional companies garnering three more MUCs. As of Autumn 2023, there is no indication that the Battalion remains an active unit.
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The 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, often referred to as a DUI or a unit crest, was originally approved on 22 April 1963 and was amended the following month to correct the description. Oriental blue is used throughout the insignia to indicate its status as part of the Military Intelligence branch. A trio of beacon fires, the system of transmitting intelligence over distance in Korea up until 1885, is an allusion to the battle honors the unit earned between 1952 and 1955 in Korea, with their golden flames commemorating the unit decorations the Battalion received. "Freedom By Vigilance" is the organization's motto.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.More guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.