The 109th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia—often referred colloquially as a “unit crest” or by the initialism DUI—was approved on 11 June 1929 and was amended the following month to correct the description. Blue is used for the shield color to reflect the organization’s status in the Infantry branch. In the center is a sheathed Roman sword, taken from the Spanish War Service Medal to signify the Spanish-American War service of a predecessor unit. Beside it is a cactus to denote serving along the Mexican Border during the time of the Punitive Expedition before World War II. A half-dozen fleurs-de-lis in the chief (upper third) of the insignia represent the six World War I campaigns in which the unit participated while serving with the 28th Division. The unit motto is the Latin phrase CIVES ARMA FERANT, which translates in English “Let The Citizens Bear Arms.”
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.
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The 109th Infantry Regiment is a Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit that was originally organized on 14 August 1877 in the Pennsylvania National Guard as the Scranton City Guards Battalion. Its nickname, “Thirteenth Pennsylvania,” comes from the unit’s redesignation as the 13th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry when it was mustered into Federal service in May 1898 (it would retain the 13th numerical designation until World War I). As mentioned above, the Regiment served with the 28th Division in World War I, an association continued in World War II after the 28th became the 28th Infantry Division. The Regiment as a whole was credited with participation in five campaigns during World War II and was awarded a French Croix de Guerre, with its 2nd Battalion being honored individually with a Presidential Unit Citation and its HQ Company awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation inscribed “European Theater” rather than with a specific battle or campaign name.
Since 1992, the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment has been the only active unit the Regiment. After serving as part of the Stabilization Force in Bosnia in 2002, the Battalion was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division for a 2005-2006 deployment to Iraq, the first of several in support of the War on Terrorism. It was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation (inscribed Anbar Province) for its actions in 2006-2007 with the 55th Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division.
As of Summer 2023, the 1st Squadron 109th Infantry Regiment is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.