173 Airborne Brigade
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Unit
Insignia
- Description: A
silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18
cm) in height overall consisting of a semi-circle
divided into three sections each with concave base, the
outer two sections silver and the center section of red,
a vertical silver unsheathed sword point to base, the
hilt resting on the red section of the semi-circle the
lower edge of the guard coinciding with the concave base
and the ends conjoined with the silver sections the
blade between two lightning flashes points to base the
points converging toward the point of the blade the
flashes parallel to and enclosed by two narrow inclined
silver lines starting at the diameter periphery of the
semi-circle and meeting beneath the point of the sword,
the area so inclosed of blue all above a stylized motto
scroll, the ends simulating wings and terminating at the
base of the semi-circle, bearing the inscription "SKY
SOLDIERS" in blue letters; the areas between the
narrow silver lines and motto scroll recessed and of
silver.
- Symbolism: The
simulated parachute and stylized wings refer to the
airborne mission of the Brigade. The unsheathed sword,
point to base (implying from sky to ground) and the hilt
against the red section of the parachute canopy, alludes
to the combat assault jump made by the Brigade in
February 1967, the first such jump made by any unit in
Vietnam indicated by the "V" formed by the two
lightning flashes on the V-shaped silver edged blue
area. The single sword also alludes to other Brigade "firsts"
such as first American ground unit in Vietnam, first in
War Zones C and D and first in the Iron Triangle. The
lightning flashes are also symbolic of the Brigade's
striking power and surprise and rapidity of movement.
The numerical designation of the Brigade can be readily
simulated by various combinations of the design
elements, i.e., the sword indicating one (1), the sum of
the wings, the two lightning flashes and the three
sections of the parachute canopy being Seven (7) and the
latter by itself also being used for three (3).
- Background: The
distinctive unit insignia was approved on 10 August
1967.
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Shoulder
Sleeve Insignia
- Description: On
a blue silhouetted right cylinder 3 inches (7.62 cm) in
height and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width overall within a
1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border a vertical white wing in
flight, the ulna (lower end) extended and hooked around
a red bayonet. Attached above the insignia is a blue tab
inscribed "AIRBORNE" in white.
- Symbolism: The
bayonet is used to refer to the brigade being borne by
the wing alludes to the brigade's airborne status. Red,
white and blue are the national colors.
- Background: The
shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved on 13
May 1963. It was amended to correct the dimensions on 29
July 1963. The insignia was amended to include the tab
and update the description on 26 April 2000.
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