The 190th Quartermaster Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly referred to as a unit crest or a DUI, was originally approved for the 738th Ordnance Battalion on 19 January 1953. Seven months later, on 15 August 1963, it was redesignated for the 738th Maintenance Battalion. On 17 November 1992, the insignia was redesignated for the 738th Support Battalion, with its description and symbolism revised to reflect the new organization’s mission and history. It would be redesignated for the last time on 2 June 2005 for the 190th Quartermaster Battalion.
Crimson and yellow are colors long associated with the Ordnance Corps, the branch to which the 190th Quartermaster Battalion was originally allocated. Here, the colors are used to form a gyronny, a heraldic term referring to a shield divided into eight gyrons (triangles) by straight lines all crossing at the fess point (center). The rectangular area in the center has a background field of “horizon blue” that is taken from the chief (upper third) of the coat of arms of the former 139th Field Artillery Regiment, a unit from which the 190th Quartermaster Battalion is descended.
The Battalion’s status as a component of the Indiana Army National Guard is depicted by the gyronny used to create a crossroads, alluding to Indiana’s moniker as “The Crossroads of America.” A fleur-de-lis in the chief of the shield denotes participation in a World War I campaign by a unit in the Battalion’s lineage, while the sea lion—taken from the coat of arms of Manila and countless other Philippine government organizations and documents—is a symbol of World War II Pacific Theater campaign honors. SUSTINEMUS ARMA, the Battalion motto, is Latin for “We Sustain The Arms."
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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.