The Institute of Heraldry does not have a listing for the 735th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also referred to as unit crest or DUI, and the U.S. Army Center of Military History does not have an entry detailing the origins or lineage of the Battalion or any battle honors or military decorations the unit (or units in its lineage) it may have received.
According to an article published in the online version of the
Southeast Missourian, a daily newspaper published in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the 735th Support Battalion was a unit in the Missouri Army National Guard that was inactivated in the spring of 2005, with the 205th Military Police Battalion slated to assume some of the unit’s functions.
The buff (gold) and scarlet colors used for this insignia reflect the organization’s provenance as a Support unit. Similarly, the chevron in the center is a common image for Support organizations as it has been used in heraldry for centuries to denote the concept of support. Gold text used for the inscription of the unit motto “Maintain The Wheel” is for excellence and high achievement, while the black background is the color of solidarity and strength.
Crossed swords are an emblem of military preparedness and the counterchanged colors used for the shield portion of the insignia denote teamwork. Additionally, annulets in Support units—particularly those that may have been designated as Transportation organizations at some point in their history—are an allusion to mobility as in a wheel. That is likely the case here considering that the unit motto is "Maintain The Wheel."
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Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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.