The 563rd Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 563rd Supply and Service Battalion on 8 November 1966. It was subsequently redesignated for the 563rd Support Battalion, which also served as the 563rd Aviation Support Battalion before it was inactivated on 21 June 2005.
During World War II, the Battalion served as the 563rd Quartermaster Service Battalion and fought in five campaigns in the European Theater: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. Its service during that time is commemorated by the five flames around and emerging from the top of the black tower, which itself alludes to the organization’s Occupation service in Germany.
The gold ring upon which the tower rests is an allusion to wheels and recalls the unit’s service as a Quartermaster Battalion. A gold key on the black tower is a reference to the primary mission of the 563rd Supply and Service Battalion: decontamination measures that were employed for firefighting and mobile shower services and symbolized by the blue drops together with the flames of fire. “Keep Them Fighting” was 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 (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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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Inactivated after World War II, the unit would be reactivated and serve in Vietnam as the 563rd Supply and Service Battalion from its arrival in April 1967 to its inactivation on 6 November 1968 while still in Vietnam. In addition to several campaign streamers, the Battalion was also awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Reactivated after nearly forty years through the redesignation of the 9th Support Battalion (Support), 101st Aviation Regiment to the 563rd Support Battalion (Aviation), the unit was assigned as the the Aviation Support Battalion of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade. For its service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 until February 2012, the 563rd Aviation Support Battalion was eventually awarded three Meritorious Unit Commendations (not counting Detachments from the Battalion’s HHC and A and B Companies that were selected for individual MUCs).
In November 2015, the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade was inactivated and, along with it, the 563rd Aviation Support Battalion.