The 359th Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 359th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves on 5 April 1926. On 16 June 1959, the insignia was amended to remove “Organized Reserves” from the description, and on 28 July 1970 the insignia was amended to revise the symbolism of its design. It was then redesignated for the 359th Regiment on 15 May 1999. A blue shield denotes the 359th Regigment’s origins in the Infantry branch, with an oak tree in the center a symbol for the Argonne Forest in France. A pair of fleurs-de-lis commemorate the Regiment’s battle honors from France in World War I, for St. Mihiel and Lorraine. “Carry On” is the unit motto.
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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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 359th Regiment was first constituted in the National Army on 5 August 1917 as the 359th Infantry and assigned to the 90 Division. It would take part in three campaigns in France during World War I—St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine—before returning to the U.S. and demobilizing in June 1919 at Camp Bowie, Texas.
Reconstituted in June 1921 with the same designation it held during the war but in the Organized Reserves and assigned once again to the 90th Division (later designated as the 90th Infantry Division), the Regiment was ordered in active military service on 25 March 1942. Fighting again as part of the 91st Infantry Division, the Regiment took part in five campaigns in Europe and was awarded an Arrowhead device for participation in an assault landing during the Normandy invasion. Besides a French Croix de Guerre with Palm awarded to the entire Regiment, 1st Battalion was chosen for two Presidential Unit Citations. The Regiment was inactivated in December 1945.
It was reactivated in 1947 in the Organized Reserves, which in 1948 became the Organized Reserve Corps and in 1952 the Army Reserve. In 1959, the unit was reorganized as a parent regiment in the Combat Arms Regimental System to consist of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 90th Infantry Division; it was reorganized in March 1963 to comprise two battalions, both elements of the 90th Infantry Division. The two Battalions were inactivated on 31 December 1965 and relieved from assignment to the 90th Infantry Division.
On 17 October 1999, the 359th Infantry was withdrawn from the Combat Arms Regimental system, redesignated as the 359th Regiment, and reorganized to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of 91st Division (Training Support) that was concurrently allotted to the Regular Army. In 2014, the 1st Battalion, 359th Regiment was awarded an Army Superior Unit Award for its outstanding performance in a non-combatant role during the period from January 2003 to January 2005.
As of Autumn 2023, the 359th Regiment appears to have no active units.