U.S. ARMY 263RD ARMOR REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)

Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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.

The 263rd Armor Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 26 October 1970. Its red chief (upper third of shield) and the wavy partition are allusions to the organization’s origin in the Coast Artillery branch. Three gold fleurs-de-lis reflect battle honors earned by the organizations used to form the Regiment for their service in France during World War I; the dragon represents World War II campaigns in Europe and Africa. Barbs on the tongue and on the tail of the dragon represent the Arrowhead devices these lineal organizations were awarded for participation in assault landings on those theaters. "Never Surrendered" is the unit motto.

More 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 263rd Armor Regiment was first organized in eastern South Carolina and was Federally recognized on 6 March 1947 as the 263rd Coast Artillery Battalion in the South Carolina National Guard. Headquartered at Florence, South Carolina, the unit was redesignated on 1 February 1949 as the 263rd Heavy Tank Battalion and assigned to the 51st Infantry Division.

On 1 September 1950, the unit was redesignated as the 263rd Tank Battalion, then consolidated on 1 April 1959 with the 2nd Battalion, 218th Infantry; the consolidated unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 263rd Armor, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) consisting of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion and the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, both elements of the 51st Infantry Division.

Reorganization was came quickly for the newly minted unit. On 1 April 1963, it was reorganized to consist of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, both non-divisional units. The next year the Regiment was reorganized to comprise the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, again non-divisional units. The Regiment was reduced to two Battalions, the 1st (non-divisonal) and the 2nd (an element of the 30th Infantry Division until it was relieved on 1 December 1973 and reorganized as an element of the 218th Infantry Brigade. Records of the Regiment’s activity beyond this point are sparse and incomplete, and in fact it may be either inactivated/deactivated, redesignated, reorganized and redesignated, or disbanded.

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U.S. ARMY 263RD ARMOR REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)