Originally approved on 16 November 1966, the 252nd Armor Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia—better known as a DUI or unit crest—was amended on 29 January to change the symbolism. Called “mullets” in heraldry, two pierced green stars (intended to simulate spur rowels on cowboy boots ) placed over the left and right sides of a gold fleur-de-lis commemorate service in the European Theater during World War II.
Though hard to discern because of the placement of the mullets and fleur-de-lis, the red area with crenelated top portions is actually an embattled arrowhead symbolizing the unit motto of “Ready, Poised, And Decisive,” a reference in part to the Armor branch’s description of itself as the “Combat Arm of Decision.”
Taken together, the red and green is a reference to two French Croix de Guerre, World War II (one with palm, one with a gilt star) and the Belgian Fourragere 1940 that Regiment’s Headquarters Company was awarded after World War II for its two citations in the Order of the Day of the Belgium Army. (Company D, 1st Battalion was also cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgium Army for action along the Meuse River).
The Regiment is credited with participation in one campaign in the Iraq Theater, Iraq Sovereignty, during the War on Terrorism. In February 2010, the 1st Battalion’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, along with the Battalion’s Companies A through D, were tapped for a Meritorious Unit Commendation for outstanding service between 25 May 2009 and 31 January 2010.
Today, the 252nd Armor Regiment is a unit in the North Carolina Army National Guard. It is assigned to the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team and is headquartered at Fayetteville, NC.
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Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been
authorized to be issued the device. Enlisted personnel wear the insignia centered on the loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
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).