Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia 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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.The 151st Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved for the 151st Field Artillery, Minnesota National Guard (MNG) on 28 March 1925. It was subsequently redesignated for the 151st Field Artillery Battalion on 16 April 1942, as well as for the 151st Artillery, MNG in July 1960. Coming full circle, it was redesignated for the unit’s current title of 151st Field Artillery Regiment on 14 July 1972.
A red shield denoting the organization’s status as an Artillery unit forms the basis of the insignia. On it, a blue saltire (“X”) signifies service in the Civil War, with the arrows superimposed on the saltires commemorating service during the last Indian uprising in Minnesota. A cactus in the center recalls duty along the Mexican border; the rainbow with a fleur-de-lis memorializes the Regiment’s assignment to the 42nd “Rainbow” Division while fighting in France during World War I: the French service is also suggested by the motto En Avant, French for “Forward.”
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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Given the official Special Designation of “First Minnesota Heavy Artillery” to celebrate one of its earliest designations as the 1st Regiment of Heavy Artillery, Minnesota Volunteers in February 1865, today’s 151st Field Artillery Regiment is represented by the 1st Battalion, which consists of a Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, four Field Artillery Batteries (including Battery C, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Battalion), and an assigned Forward Support Company. The 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery Regiment is part of the 84th Troop Command, 34th Infantry Division in the Minnesota Army National Guard and is headquartered at Montevideo, Minnesota.
Regimental battle honors include a Civil War streamer (not inscribed with a battle or campaign name), six World War I campaigns, and seven World War II campaign streamers, with two of them (Algeria-French Morocco and Naples-Foggia) complemented with Arrowhead devices for participating in assault landings. ). The Regiment is also credited with a French Croix de Guerre with Palm that was awarded to the 151st and 175th Field Artillery Battalions during World War II, as well as a Meritorious Unit Commendation for Iraq. (Battery E is individually credited with five European-African-Middle Eastern campaigns, a Belgian Fourragere 1940, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in Iraq between 2004-2005; Battery F earned credit for taking part in all three campaigns of the Southwest Asia conflict in 1990-1991.)
The 151st Field Artillery Regiment underwent numerous redesignations, consolidations, and reorganizations after it was given that designation in World War I—far too many to track here—with the most important changes coming in 1968 (reduced from two to one battalion), 1989 (withdrawal from the Combat Arms Regimental System), and redesignation with the full title of 151st Field Artillery Regiment in 2005. Besides the 2004-2005 deployment, the 1st Battalion was also sent to Iraq in 2009-2010.