16 Engineer Battalion
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Unit
Insignia
- Description: A
silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 (2.86cm) in
height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per
chevron reversed Argent and Gules, on a bar in base
Sable fimbriated of the first a cat-a-mountain salient
guardant of the third, armed, langued, collared and
lined of the second, in sinister chief a mullet voided
and fretted Vert. Attached below the shield a silver
scroll inscribed "SEMPER ULTIMO" in red
letters.
- Symbolism: Red
and white are the colors used for the Corps of
Engineers. The bar symbolizes a treadway bridge, the
construction of which was a major combat mission of the
organization. The cat-a-mountain, a European wildcat,
indicates the stealth and swiftness required in combat
engineer operations, and the soldiers of the battalion
are known as "Catamounts." The black cat also
connotes the darkness in which operations are conducted.
The star from the flag of French Morocco represents
service in that area during World War II. The inverted
chevron symbolizes the battalion's spearheading of
armored engineer activity in World War II.
- Background: The
Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for
the 16th Armored Engineer Battalion on 25 Apr 1952. It
was redesignated for the 16th Engineer Battalion on 12
Sep 1957. On 5 Dec 1984 the insignia was amended to
correct the symbolism. On 21 Oct 1994 it was revised to
change the description and the symbolism.
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Coat
of Arms
- Description:
Shield: Per chevron reversed Argent and Gules, on a bar
in base Sable fimbriated of the first a cat-a-mountain
salient guardant of the third, armed langued, collared
and lined of the second, in sinister chief a mullet
voided and fretted Vert. Crest: From a wreath Argent and
Gules from two palm branches saltirewise Proper issuing
a demi-scimitar palewise of the first gripped of the
second and enfiled by a cogwheel Or. Motto: SEMPER
ULTIMO (Always To The Top).
- Symbolism:
Shield: Red and white are the colors used for the Corps
of Engineers. The bar symbolizes a treadway bridge, the
construction of which was a major combat mission of the
organization. The cat-a-mountain, a European wildcat,
indicates the stealth and swiftness required in combat
engineer operations, and the soldiers of the battalion
are know as "Catamounts." The black cat also
connotes the darkness in which operations are conducted.
The star from the flag of French Morocco represents
service in that area during World War II. The inverted
chevron symbolizes the battalion's spearheading of
armored engineer activity in World War II. Crest: The
six teeth on the gear wheel represent the unit's
campaign service during World War II. Gold denotes
excellence, while the gear wheel alludes to engineering.
The scimitar honors the battalion's Valorous Unit award
for IRAQ-KUWAIT, and the crossed palms highlight the
unit's Southwest Asia campaigns.
- Background: The
coat of arms was originally approved for the 16th
Armored Engineer Battalion on 25 Apr 1952. It was
redesignated for the 16th Engineer Battalion on 12 Sep
1957. The coat of arms was amended on 5 Dec 1984 to
correct the motto. On 21 Oct 1994 the coat of arms was
revised to change the symbolism. It was amended on 29
Sep 1999 to include a crest.
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