A unit in the Alabama Army National guard, the 111th Ordnance Group was originally organized and Federally recognized on 2 January 1930 as a unit in the Medical Department, namely the Medical Department Detachment, 167th Infantry, an element of the 31st Division. While still assigned to the 31st Division (31st Infantry Division after February 1942), it was inducted into Federal Service for the first time on 25 November 1940 and fought in two Asiatic-Pacific campaigns, New Guinea and Southern Philippines. In addition to earning an Arrowhead device for taking part in an assault landing during the New Guinea campaign, the unit was also awarded a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for the Southern Philippines campaign.
Following the war and a brief inactivation, the unit was redesignated as Company A, 200th Infantry, still an element of the 31st Division. Released from Federal service, from 1954 to 1963 it was redesignated first as HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry, then as the HQ Company, 2nd Battle Group, 167th Infantry. In April 1963 it became the HQ and HQ Company, 231st Armor Group and was relieved from assignment to the 167th Infantry.
With stints as Medical, Infantry, and Armored units under its belt, the unit “branched out” when it was redesignated as HHD, 231st Military Police Battalion after consolidation with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 152nd Armor in January 1968. It was finally designated as a unit in its current branch on 1 September 1981 when it became HQ and HQ Detachment, 111th Ordnance Group. Under that designation, the organization has been ordered into Federal service three times, first during Operation Desert Storm (February 1991), and two more times for Operation Iraqi Freedom (2002 and 2010). Its service during Desert Storm was recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation, while its campaign participation in the War on Terrorism has yet to be determined.
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The 111th Ordnance Group Distinctive Unit Insignia (AKA “unit crest” or “DUI) features a Philippine sunburst to denote its service during the World War II Southern Philippines campaign. A scarlet Arrowhead below the sun is for the New Guinea assault landing, while the crossed pikes are symbols of ordnance and firepower (also Military Police. They also suggest a saltire like on the state flag of Alabama, thus recalling the unit’s home state. “Authority With Character” is the Group motto.
Distinctive Unit Insignias 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.