Approved on 28 January 1971, the 411th Engineer Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia highlights the Brigade’s World War II service with five fleur-de-lis representing the five campaigns in which it took part as the 55th Engineer General Service Regiment. The two fleurs-de-lis superimposed on the blueprint stand for campaigns in France (Normandy and Northern France), while the three on the pickaxe handle are for actions in Germany and elsewhere (Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe). The motto of “Plan Build Protect” is illustrated by the blueprint, the pickaxe, and bayonets, respectively.
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. 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.
A subordinate unit in the 412th Theater Engineer Command (TEC), the 411th Engineer Brigade is an Army Reserve unit headquartered at the SGT Catalin D. Dima Armed Forces Reserve Center in New Windsor, New York. It is one of two Engineer Brigades in the 412th TEC, which also includes the 302nd Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver Enhancement).
The 411th was originally constituted in the Organized Reserves as the 355th Engineers and organized in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in January 1922. Redesignated the 355th Engineer General Service Regiment on 1 August 1942, the unit was ordered into active service a month later, earning credit for participation in five World War II campaigns.
The Regiment was broken up in 1949 with its HQ and HQ Service Company becoming the HHC, 411th Engineer Brigade; it was redesignated an Engineer Aviation Brigade in 1950, and was given its current designation of HHC, 411th Engineer Brigade in 1957. Since 2006, the Brigade has been deployed at least once to both Iraq and Afghanistan and has been honored with two Meritorious Unit Commendations. As of Autumn 2023, the Brigade remains allotted to the U.S. Army Reserve and is headquartered in New Windsor, New York.
Related Items
411th Engineer Brigade Unit Patch (SSI)
411th Engineer Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)