The 439th Medical Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, incorporates the colors of the Army Medical Department with a white shield and a maroon scroll with white text attached to it, as well as with the maroon components of the Greek cross emblazoned on the shield. Other colors employed in the insignia are blue for loyalty, gold for excellence, and red for sacrifice and courage.
At the intersection of the cross, a gold fleur-de-lis denotes World War II service (five campaigns) in France when the unit was designated as the 439th Medical Collecting Company. The cross itself is a longtime symbol of medical aid and compassion, wand the four cups are an allusion to providing assistance and relief to those in distress. Red, white, and blue here refer to both our national colors and the colors of the state flag of Tennessee, home base of the unit at the time this insignia was approved (3 May 1994). “Duty Service Honor” is the Battalion motto.
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 (Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam.
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 439th Medical Battalion, now referred as the 439th Multi-Functional Medical Battalion (MMB), was originally constituted in the Army of the United States as Company C, 66th Medical Regiment on 13 July 1942 and activated the following August in Texas. It was redesignated twice and was serving as the 439th Medical Collecting Company when it deployed to Europe, where it earned five battle honors and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding service throughout the entire tour of duty.
Inactivated in November 1945, the Company was allotted to the Organized Reserves in January 1948 and activated in February. Reorganized and redesignated as HHD, 422nd Medical Battalion in the following November, it was inactivated on 31 July 1950 and was redesignated in April 1953 HQ and HQ Detachment, 439th Medical Battalion. It remained inactivated until 17 September 1992 when it was reactivated at Memphis, Tennessee, but was inactivated again in June 1999 while based at Millington, Tennessee.
The 439th Mult-Functional Medical Battalion weas reactivated on 16 September 2011 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. As of Spring 2022, it remains allotted to the Army Reserve and is assigned to the 8th Medical Brigade, 8th Medical Brigade, 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support).
The Battalion is located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.