Originally constituted in the Alaska National Guard on 21 October 1939, the 297th Infantry Regiment was that organization’s first unit. Although its only Battalion, the 1st, was called into active Federal service in 1942, it saw no combat during World War II and in fact would not be deployed overseas until its 1st Battalion provide security in Iraq and Kuwait in 2006 in support of the 43rd Military Police Brigade. In August 2008, a Detachment of the HHC, 1st Battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for this service.
On 1 September 2009 the regiment was converted into the 297th Cavalry Regiment, consisting of a single squadron, the 1st Squadron, headquartered at Fairbanks. That squadron was then converted and reorganized to be the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on 16 October 2016. Today, the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry is assigned to the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia 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.
The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 297th Infantry Regiment was firs approved for the 208th Infantry Battalion on 5 March 1952, but was subsequently redesignated for the 297th Infantry Regiment on 18 July 1960. It employs blue and white color scheme to reflect its origins and service as an Infantry organization (blue and white are the two Infantry colors).
A zig-zag partition in the middle is a stylized representation of mountain peaks designed to pay homage to it service in Alaska during World War II, and the Indian eagle symbol superimposed on the mountains is one used by the Tlingit Indians of Southeast Alaska, home region for the Battalion. “YUH YEK,” the unit motto, translates into English as “Vigilance, Watchfulness.”
Full 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.