U.S. ARMY 16TH SIGNAL BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 16th Signal Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), also called a unit crest, was approved following the unit's service in the Pacific during World War II as the 16th Signal Operation Battalion. Prominently displayed in the center are three of the Arrowheads employed in the Pacific Theater, indicating the Battalion took part in three assault landings (New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Leyte). A wavy blue horizontal band denotes overseas service, and the total of charges on the insignia (three arrowheads and one wavy band) symbolize the four campaigns in which the Battalion took part. In 1950, the Battalion’s exemplary service and dedication to its motto of "Communications First" was recognized with a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

In 1952, the unit was designated as the 16the Signal Battalion (Corps) and began to take part in a series of exercises that would continue up until it departed for Germany in 1961 when it was assigned to the 505th Signal Group. The unit returned stateside in 1972 and was attached to III Corps at Fort Hood (renamed Fort Cavazos in Spring 2023), then was assigned to the 1st Signal Group as part of the Army’s progression toward the Echelons Above Division Organization concept. The 16th Signal Battalion became a subordinate unit in the 3rd Signal Brigade in September 1979 when it replaced the 1st Signal Group.

The 16th Signal Battalion was inactivated in May 2006, two years prior to the inactivation of the 3rd Signal Brigade.
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.