The 33rd Signal Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, consists of a silver/white shield with a similarly colored scroll attached at its base containing the inscription “Brave In Difficulties,” the unit motto that succinctly describes the fortitude and steadfastness that led to its selection for a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in five campaigns in Europe during World War II.
Orange and white predominate on the insignia to denote the organization’s status as part of the Army’s Signal Corps. A trio of piles, or downward-pointing triangles, have dual meaning: they symbolize a wedge entering into enemy territory while also recalling the foundations called piles that are used in construction.
The bugle horns in the piles recall the martial nature of the Battalion’s work and represent strength and resilience. Combined with the piles, they stand for the unit’s numerical designation. The divisions of the upper third of the shield represent the difficulties overcome by the personnel in the performance of their functions and, being above all else, signify dominion and authority.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."
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The 33rd Signal Battalion was constituted on 11 May 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 33rd Signal Construction Battalion and activated on 14 December 1942. It was redesignated as the 33rd Signal Light Construction Battalion on 1 June 1945 and was subsequently inactivated in the Philippine Island on 15 December 1945.
On 29 May 1963, the unit was redesignated as the 33rd Signal Battalion and allotted to the Regular Army. Reactivated at Fort Richardson, Alaska on 16 September 1963, its HQ and HQ Company were reorganized and redesignated on 16 February 1973 HQ and HQ Detachment, 33rd Signal Battalion with its organic elements simultaneously inactivated. The unit’s service life came to a closer when HQ and HQ Detachment, 33rd Signal Battalion were inactivated on 15 April 1986 at Fort Richardson, Alaska.