Diagonally positioned as if it were a heraldic bend, a medieval weapon called a mace or morning star is the focal point of the 254th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), better known as a unit crest. The weapon is taken from the arms of Colmar, site of World War II action that led to the Regiment being tapped for a Presidential Unit Citation eight years after the war’s end.
The shield and the wavy bands that are positioned like a fess are counterchanged in blue and white (silver) for Infantry (white has been the official Infantry color twice in the history of the U.S. Army). Wavy bands represent water, in this case two rivers—the Rhine and the Danube. The red tetrahedron in the upper right is actually a tank obstacle; its red color indicates it is an enemy installation and here is an emblem for the Siegfried Line. “Death Before Defeat” is the unit motto.
Approved on 22 April 1952, the 254th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was rescinded on 30 April 1976.
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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The 254th was one of three Infantry Regiments assigned to the 63rd Infantry Division. Activated in June 1943, the Division fought in the European theater, with the 254th Infantry Regiment taking part in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. The Regiment as a whole was tapped for Presidential Unit Citation for action at Colmar France in early 1945, while each of its three Battalions were also honored with the award for their outstanding performance in combat between January and March 1945. The Regiment was also selected for French Croix de Guerre with Palm.
Inactivated in September 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, the 254th Infantry Regiment was reactivated on 1 March 1952 with its headquarters located at Pasadena, California. More than seven years would elapse before the unit was inactivated again on 15 May 1959 and its HQ and HQ Company simultaneously consolidated with the HQ and HQ, 3rd Battle Group, 30th Infantry; the merged organization retained the 3rd Battle Group designation.
On 1 April 1963, the 3rd Battle Group, 30th Infantry was reorganized and reflagged as the 3rd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment and subsequently inactivated on 31 December 1965.