An inactive unit in the Maryland Army National Guard, the 104th Medical Battalion’s service history started with an assignment along the U.S.-Mexican border as part of the Mexican Expedition created to capture Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. Called into Federal Service from what was then known as the Maryland National Guard, the Battalion served with the 29th Division during World War I; it would be assigned to the 29th Infantry Division during World War and take part in the D-Day landings at Normandy. It is unclear whether the unit was inactivated, redesignated, or disbanded following the end of the war.
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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.
The 104th Medical Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 104th Medical Regiment, National Guard of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia on 6 March 1928. On 15 September 1942, the insignia was redesignated for the 104th Medical Battalion. Following the unit’s reorganization and once again redesignated (with an amended description) for the 104th Medical Battalion.
A maroon bend dexter (diagonal bar running from the viewer’s upper left to lower right) on the shield’s white background incorporate the official branch colors of the Army Medical Department. The bend is taken from the coat of arms of Alsace, and the gateway entrance to a fort in the upper right is from the arms of the City of Verdun; together they represent the unit’s service as the 104th Sanitary Train during World War I. The prickly pear cactus in the lower left is a symbol of the unit’s service along the Mexican border before the U.S. entry into World War I.
Full 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.