For nearly 130 years, the 151st Field Artillery Brigade—nicknamed the “Gamecock Artillery” in a nod to its home state of South Carolina and the fighting fowl displayed on its unit patch—served its state and nation in a manner that truly lived up to its motto of “Duty Above All.” Originally organized as the Sumter Light Infantry in the South Carolina Volunteer Militia at Sumter around 1880, the unit underwent a myriad of redesignations and reorganizations, not becoming a part of the Artillery branch until its February 1929 designation as Battery E, 115th Field Artillery.
As Battery C, 178th Field Artillery Regiment and later as Battery C, 178th Field Artillery Battalion, the unit took part in six campaigns in Africa and Italy during World War II, receiving a French Croix de Guerre for its combat actions at the Battle of Monte Cassino. In 2005, the elements of the Brigade were called into Federal service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, specifically to help supervise Iraqi elections. The Brigade cased its colors following inactivation in August 2008.
The 151st Field Artillery Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest, was approved for wear while the unit was still designated the 151st Field Artillery Group in March 1971; it was subsequently redesignated for the unit’s new role as a Brigade. Its six stars stand for the six campaigns in which the unit fought during World War II in Italy, which is also referenced by the colors of red, white, and green in the insignia. The single large gold star combined with the green and red represent the French Croix De Guerre with Silver Gilt Star it was awarded, and the gamecock in the center is an allusion to South Carolina General Thomas Sumter, the “Gamecock of the Revolution.” A horseshoe is a reminder of the horse-drawn field artillery the Brigade employed at some points in its history, with a saltire in the background serving as a symbol of its firepower.
On 22 December 1978, the Brigade was authorized
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI), commonly called a unit patch.
Click here to read about its symbolism and to add it to your shopping cart.
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.