Now worn by personnel in the 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, the 728th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was first authorized for the 728th Ordnance Battalion on 3 May 1954. It was then redesignated for the 728th Maintenance Battalion on 20 January 1967 before being designated for the 728th Support Battalion, with the description and symbolism revised, on 27 March 1972.
The crimson and yellow colors seen on the Distinctive Unit Insignia worn by the 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion are traditionally associated with Ordnance, the branch of the unit at the time the insignia was approved for it. A red boot is an allusion to Italy and commemorates the parent Battalion’s World War II campaigns. The six fleurs-de-lis are for the half-dozen campaigns in which the original unit fought during World War I (Note: the U.S. Army Center of Military History credits the Battalion with seven campaigns.) “Service On Time” is the unit motto.
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.
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Since its beginning in the Pennsylvania National Guard as Company H, 12 Infantry Regiment on 14 April 1884, the units in the lineage of today’s 728th Combat Sustainment Support have served in a wide variety of branches or fields: Infantry, Engineers, Cavalry, Field Artillery, Ordnance, and, just before being designated as a Support organization on 1 March 1992, Maintenance.
As mentioned earlier, its battle honors (campaign credits) include seven in World War I (as the 108th and 109th Field Artillery and 103rd Engineers) and five in World War II (as the HQ Battery and Service Battery, 190th Field Artillery Battalion); it also earned an Arrowhead device for taking part in an assault landing during the D-Day invasion.
While its battle honors for the War on Terrorism are yet to be determined, the unit was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation, embroidered Southwest Asia 2011-2012.
The 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is a subordinate unit of 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard and is headquartered at Spring City, Pennsylvania.