The 138th Signal Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a unit crest or DUI, was approved on 20 February 1962. Its design celebrates the unit’s service with the 38th Infantry Division in three Asiatic-Pacific campaigns, in particular Leyte and Luzon. The shield portion of the insignia is divided a white pile (point-down wedge) that simulates a searchlight, one of the functions of the organization. On the left is a star that represents the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation the unit received following World War II; on the right are three kampilans, a traditional Philippine weapon, one for each of the campaigns the unit fought in during the war. The unit motto “Success Of Command” underscores the critical importance of Signal operations in achieving successful mission outcomes.
Distinctive Unit Insignias is 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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Organized and Federally recognized in the Indiana National Guard as the 2nd Battalion, 152nd Infantry on 7 October 1921, the 138th Signal Battalion was an element of the 38th Division (38th Infantry Division after February 1942) until the time of its deactivation in 2007. Serving in World War II as an Infantry unit, it was inactivated from 9 November 1945 until it was reorganized and again Federally recognized on 24 June 1947 as the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry.
It would not find itself in the Signal Corps until 1 February 1959 when it was given its final designation as the 138th Signal Battalion, 38th Infantry Division. Its deactivation in 2007 was the result of the transformation of the Army into a modular design, a transition that also led to the deactivation of other 38th Infantry Division units like the 38th Division Artillery and the 139th Field Artillery Battalion.