The 63rd Signal Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia—often referred to as a “unit crest”—was originally for the 63rd Signal Operations Battalion on 25 January 1952. It was redesignated to reflect the current designation of 63rd Signal Battalion on 12 October 1967. The unit is now known as the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion or alternatively as the 63rd Signal Battalion (Expeditionary).
Four white bendlets on an orange field incorporate the two Signal Corps branch colors, with the bendlets representing the four battle honors the organization was awarded during World War II. A silhouette of a mosque is taken from the Fifth Army Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and denotes service with that organization in North Africa, while the green boot symbolizes service in Italy. AB INITIO, the unit motto, is Latin for “From The Beginning,” a reference to the unit’s participation in the United States Army’s initial campaign in World War II.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. 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 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion was originally formed as the 63rd Signal Battalion on 1 July 1940 and activated nearly a year later on 1 June 1941 at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana. The Battalion would go on to earn a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its participation in four campaigns (see above) in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, but strangely did not receive credit for any campaigns in North Africa despite the use of the silhouette of a mosque to denote service in that region.
Following some reorganization and activations/inactivations, the unit was activated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 63rd Signal Battalion on 24 July 1967 and take part in eleven of the Vietnam War’s seventeen campaigns; its exceptional service between 1968 and 191970 was recognized with two Meritorious Unit Commendations. Inactivated from 1972 to 1975 and again 1977 to 1984, the unit was given the basis of its current designation on 1 October 1984 when it was reorganized and redesignated (again) as HHC, 63rd Signal Battalion and activated in Germany. It would be deployed and serve in all three Gulf War Campaigns, earning another Meritorious Unit Commendation in the process.
During the War on Terrorism, the Battalion has earned battle honors for two campaigns (Iraqi Governance and National Resolution) as well as two more Meritorious Unit Commendations. As of Summer 2023, the Battalion is headquartered at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.