U.S. ARMY 553RD ENGINEER BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

Scarlet and white (silver), branch colors of the Corps of Engineers, are used exclusively in the design of the 553rd Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also called a unit crest or DUI. The two primary functions of Engineer units—constructing bridges, buildings, and installations and destruction of any obstacles or enemy strongholds—are represented by the chevronel (shaped as a gable rafter) and a ram’s head, respectively. DEUS ET PATRIA, Latin for “God And Country,” is the unit motto.

This insignia was approved on 1 November 1955.

The 553rd Engineer Battalion was stationed in Germany during the post-World War II era. It appears to have been inactivated, redesignated, or disbanded long ago. We encourage visitors with any information regarding the Battalion's history to email us so we can share it with other visitors to the Web site.
 

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The 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.

Enlisted personnel wear the insignia centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.

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.