When the 21st Combat Support Hospital cased its colors on 16 April 2019 at an inactivation ceremony held at Cooper Field on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., the unit was just a couple of months shy of reaching the 77th anniversary of its formation. Originally designated as the 11th Field Hospital and activated 1 August 1942 at Camp White, Oregon, the unit was deployed to the European Theater during World War II, where it earned seven campaign streamers, two with Arrowhead devices denoting the unit took part in an actual assault landing (in Sicily and Southern France), along with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In 1962, the 11th Field Hospital was redesignated as the 21st Evacuation Hospital, a designation it would serve under as it took part in the Cease-Fire campaign of the Southwest Asia conflict—the one most people call the First Gulf War. It was given its final designation as the 21st Combat Support Hospital in 1992, and would go on to earn a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in Iraq in 2010. Its motto, “Fear Not,” was a reminder that, regardless of the designation it served under, the unit and its personnel always sought to provide the best and most prompt medical care possible.
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The 21st Combat Support Hospital Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, features a maroon cross, a symbol of medical aid and assistance, with a black bear’s visage as a reminder of its formation in Oregon. A winged background recalls the unit’s service as an Evacuation Hospital.
The 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.
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.
The 21st Combat Support Hospital Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, features a maroon cross, a symbol of medical aid and assistance, with a black bear’s visage as a reminder of its formation in Oregon. A winged background recalls the unit’s service as an Evacuation Hospital.