The 519th Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, more commonly referred to as a unit crest or a DUI, was originally approved on 20 May 1960, a date that explains the use of teal blue and golden yellow in the insignia’s design: These are the colors used for branch unassigned, and in May 1960 the establishment of the Army Intelligence and Security branch, predecessor of the Military Intelligence Corps, was still two years away.
In the center of the shield portion of the insignia are three charges, or images: the Sphinx, an open book, and a gridline globe. The Sphinx is adapted from the Army Intelligence Reserve insignia and represents Intelligence units; the open book resting on the globe symbolizes the knowledge that has been gained through the mastering the languages of the world, while the globe denotes the worldwide scope of Intelligence research activities. “Strength Thru Intelligence” is the Battalion 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. Full 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.
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Headquartered at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion is a subordinate unit of the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade that traces its origins to the constitution of the 519th Headquarters Intelligence Detachment in the Regular Army on1 October 1948. Although this unit did not take part in any Korean War campaigns, the 523nd Military Intelligence Company which was annexed to it in 1959 (and redesignated as the Battalion’s Company A) is not only credited with seven Korean War campaigns, but was also awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in Korea and two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations.
Following the annexation, the Battalion was deployed to Vietnam, where it took part in an astonishing sixteen of the conflict’s seventeen named campaigns, earning three Meritorious Unit Commendations (Company C was also awarded an MUC individually). During the Gulf War, the Battalion took part in two of the three campaigns that comprised Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Since the launch of the War on Terrorism, the Battalion’s outstanding service has been recognized with four more Meritorious Unit Commendations—two from deployment to Afghanistan, two from service in Iraq—and is officially credited with participation in the Consolidation III campaign in the Afghanistan theater (though it may be credited with more at a future date).