Though its lineage goes back over a century, the 177th Armored Brigade has carried its current designation for only a fraction of that time. Serving as the 177th Infantry Brigade and assigned to the 89th Division in World War, the unit was awarded three campaign streamers before being sent stateside for demobilization in 1919, marking the only time the unit has seen combat (it was called into service during World War II and was redesignated five times without earning campaign credits).
First designated as the 177th Armored Brigade in 1991, the unit was inactivated from 1994 to 1997, then activated again for two more years before being inactivated yet again in 1999. Activated in 2006, the unit was assigned to First Army, Division East as a subordinate unit in a training capacity, earning an Army Superior Unit Award for its performance between 2008 and 2011. As of Winter 2024, the Brigade remains allotted to First Army and is headquartered at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 177th Armored Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, emphasizes the same historical aspects of the unit’s service as found on the Brigade’s Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch. True, “Spearhead To Victory” is not seen on the unit patch, but its golden wedge carrying a red spearhead conveys the notion perfectly well. A large fleur-de-lis in the center of the unit crest signifies wartime service in France, specifically in three campaigns (St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Lorraine 1918). And the three branches of the Brigade—Artillery, Armor, and Infantry—are all represented by their branch color in the composition of the unit crest.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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be 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.
Related Items177th Armored Brigade Patch (SSI)