The 73rd Armor Regiment, 3rd Battalion oval (officially called background trimming) displayed here was approved on 8 July 1992, replacing the original version that had a border divided into yellow/gold and green to match the field inside it; the revamped version has a solid green, merrowed border. The original flash had a similar design that was also replaced, but the approval date for the newer version is not clear.
Unlike the flash, which is worn by all personnel serving in a unit, the oval is approved only for Soldiers with authorized Parachutist or Air Assault badges. The oval is worn beneath these badges devices, with the main portion of the badge centered on the oval and the combination worn on the AGSU and ASU coats, the Service Uniform shirt, and the blue or green Army Maternity Tunic (female Solders only).
Complete wear guidance for flashes and ovals can be found in
paragraph 21-32, DA Pam 670-1.
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The 73rd Armor Regiment, parent regiment of the 3rd Battalion, was originally formed as the 76th Tank Battalion in January 1941. Over the next sixty-three years it would undergo numerous redesignations as a Tank or Armor unit and see action in world War II, the Korean War, the invasion of Panama, and the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991.
In addition to credit for participation in twenty campaigns, the unit was the recipient of a Presidential Unit Citation (WWWII), three Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, and an Arrowhead device for taking part in an assault landing during Operation Just Cause.
The Army announced the inactivation of 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor in September 1996, with the actual inactivation occurring the next year. In 2004, the 73rd Armor was reflagged as the 73rd Cavalry, and in 2006 the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment was activated. Although it inherited the lineage and honors of the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor, it was give its own new flash and oval, both approved in 2005.