Although The Institute of Heraldry does not have an entry describing the origin of the 326th Support Group Distinctive Unit Insignia (also known as a unit crest) or the meaning of the insignia’s colors and images, some general aspects of the insignia’s symbolism can be easily deduced.
A red chevron is a symbol indicating the unit provided Support; the shape was incorporated as a heraldic “ordinary,” a simple geometric figure with a fairly specific meaning. In the case of the chevron, its design was inspired because of its resemblance to the gable rafters seen in the ceiling of buildings that provide support for the roof.
The chevron is superimposed over a sheaf of wheat, which can allude to either a function of the unit (providing sustenance or other important materiel or enabling the delivery of such sustenance) or its location in an area where wheat is an abundant commodity. An Army Reserve unit, the 326th Support Group—later known as the 326th Area Support Group—was located in Kansas City, Kansas, a state that leads the nation in wheat production. A sword placed horizontally denotes the Soldiers supported the unit’s mission, also referenced by the motto “Supporting The Valiant.”
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.
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The 326th Support Group was originally constituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 224th Ordnance Base Group on 1 September 1943 and was activated on 15 October 1943 at Texarkana, Texas. It was deployed to the European Theater and would fight under that designation for the bulk of time spent there, being redesignated as the HHD, 224th Ordnance Base Depot on 3 January 1945. In all, the unit took part in four campaigns and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation whose streamer was embroidered EUROPEAN THEATER.
Inactivated in May 1946, the unit was redesignated as HHD, 309th Ordnance Base Depot and allotted to the Organized Reserves, which was subsequently designated as the Organized Reserve Corps (March 1948) before becoming today’s Army Reserve in 1952. The unit was reorganized and redesignated several times before receiving the designation of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 326th Support Group and being activated at what would prove to be its more or less permanent home of Kansas City, Kansas.
The Group was called into active military service in 2008 and was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In November 2009, the Group was selected for a Meritorious Unit Commendation in recognition of the outstanding service in providing base operations and logistical support for the warfighters and tenants of Victory Base Complex in the 10-month period from 9 December 2008 to 8 October 2009. (Records also note the organization was titled the 326th Area Support Group during this deployment.)
As of Summer 2023, the Group is not listed on the official United States Army Reserve Web site as an active organization.