The U.S. Army Pacific Distinctive Unit Insignia (also referred to as a unit crest or DUI) was originally approved on 26 February 1969 but was rescinded on 20 January 1975. In March 1979 it was reinstated and authorized for U.S. Army Western Command, then redesignated for U.S. Army Pacific on 22 August 1990.
Red, white, and blue are of course the national colors and are also used on the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC). The wavy blue and white (silver) lines suggest ocean waves and stands for the Pacific Ocean and its division into land and sea areas that form USARPAC”s area of responsibility. Arrowheads are used on DUI’s to denote assault landings; in this insignia’s official description it is called the “arrow of war” that “relates to the overall mission.” A diamond at the tip of the arrow is an allusion to Diamond Head, the iconic volcano on Oahu, Hawaii, the unit’s home site. On the left side of the disc is a palm branch, a symbol of merit of and leadership as well as an allusion to the lush foliage common in the tropical climes found throughout the Pacific.
USARPAC is headquartered at Fort Shafter and comprises some 80,000 personnel. In addition to Hawaii, its area of responsibility includes Alaska, the Pacific Ocean, Japan, and South Korea; while U.S. Forces Korea is stationed in that country, it is USARPAC’s job to provide its troops, training, and equipment.
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