The 185th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia, also referred to as a unit crest or a DUI, was approved on 14 July 1930. Blue and white, traditional colors of Infantry units, are used exclusively in the insignia's design. In the upper left corner is an inset, called a canton, that includes the chevron from the coat of arms of the 184th Infantry and the fleur-de-lis from the arms of the 160th Infantry, indicating descent from those organizations. The motto translates to "Never Unprepared." The remainder of the shield is solid blue, official Infantry branch color since 1903 and the color of fidelity, loyalty, devotion, and truth in heraldry. The white used in the canton was the Infantry color for the first seventy-five years of the Army’s existence.
NUNQUAM NON PARATUS, the unit motto, is Latin for “Never Unprepared.”
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. 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.
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The history of the 185th Infantry Regiment is extremely confusing not only because of the creation of so many units that are linked to the Regiment through lineage branches, but also because of the tendency to assign the “185th” designation to such a broad spectrum of units.
One of the most concise narratives of the descent the 185th Infantry Regiment, compiled and edited by Major Dan Sebby, is "A History of the 185th Infantry Regiment" hosted on the California Military Department Military History and Museums Program Web site.
Click here to learn more.