Constituted originally as a Troop Transport Battalion in the Quartermaster Corps on 17 June 1943, the 6th Transportation Battalion—referred to simply as “The Doers” on its unit crest—did not receive that designation until 20 February 1959. The Battalion earned credit for participation in three World War II campaigns (Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe) while designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 6th Quartermaster Battalion.
During the Vietnam War, the Battalion took part in thirteen campaigns and was awarded three Meritorious Unit Commendations. In 1990, it was deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm / Desert Shield, seeing action in all three of that conflict’s campaigns and earning another Meritorious Unit Commendation. The Battalion was inactivated in August 2012.
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The 6th Transportation Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved 2 August 1966. A trio of disks containing pierced stars (called spur-rowels) represent the three World War II campaigns in which the unit saw action; they also allude to the wheels necessary for transportation and thus achievement of the Battalion’s mission. Beneath the disks are two cornucopia, symbols of abundance and ready supply that recall the essentials the Battalion helped bring to Berlin during the Airlift in 1948 and 1949.
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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.
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.