U.S. ARMY 42ND FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE UNIT CREST (DUI)

The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 42nd Field Artillery Brigade is capped with an “oozlefinch,” a mythical bird that is said to have been invented my Coast Artillery Corps officers at Fort Monroe, Virginia in the early 20th century. Later, the imaginary creature was also adopted by Air Defense Artillery units; in addition to flying backward at supersonic speed, the featherless bird also toted a Nikes-Hercules Missile. It is included on the 42nd Field Artillery unit crest because the oozlefinch was employed on the shoulder sleeve insignia of the Railway Artillery Reserve in France, to which the unit was assigned during its first-ever deployment.

“Nous Soutiendrons,” French for “We Will Support” and the Brigade’s unit motto, forms the base of the insignia; above it, cone shapes in red and yellow in the bend are a reference to artillery fire. Nicknamed “Wheel Horses” rather than “Oozlefinches,” the 42nd Field Artillery Brigade was inactivated in 1995.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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.

Related Items
42nd Field Artillery Brigade Patch (SSI)
42nd Field Artillery Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)

Price

$11.99

Quantity

USPHS

Merchant Marine

AUXILIARY

U.S. ARMY 42ND FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE UNIT CREST (DUI)