First US Army
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Unit
Insignia
- Description: A
gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches in
height overall consisting of a black enamel capital
letter "A" bearing three gold stars on the top
cross bar and five gold on the center cross bar, in
front of and interlaced with a gold fleur-de-lis. The
vertical petal is charged in base with a red enamel
arrowhead behind and extending above the letter "A"
and the tops of the two outside or flanking petals above
the cross bar extending over the vertical legs of the
letter "A". The lower ends of the outside
petals curve under and over the lower ends of the
vertical legs of the letter "A" and are joined
together by a gold arched scroll inscribed "First
In Deed" in black enamel letters. The areas within
the letter "A" above the center cross bar are
white enamel and the areas below the cross bar are red
enamel.
- Symbolism: The
basic design was suggested by the authorized shoulder
sleeve insignia of the First Army. The Interlaced
fleur-de-lis represent wartime service in France and
alludes to the initial organization of the Headquarters
Company as the Headquarters Troop, First Army at La
Ferte-sous-Jouarre, France 10 August 1918. The three
stars at the top of the letter "A" are for
Lorraine 1918, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne campaigns in
which the First Army participated in World War I. The
five stars on the center cross bar are for the Normandy,
Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central
Europe campaigns in which the First Army participated in
World War II, the red arrowhead referring to the assault
landing on the Normandy beaches. The motto "First
In Deed" is based on the numerical designation,
purpose and achievements of the First United States
Army.
- Background: The
insignia was approved on 27January 1969.
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Shoulder
Sleeve Insignia
- Description: On
a background equally divided horizontally white and red,
3 1/4 inches in height and 2 1/2 inches in width at base
and 2 1/8 inches in width at top, a black block letter "A",
2 3/4 inches in height, 2 inches in width at base and 1
5/8 inches in width at top, all members 7/16 inch wide,
all enclosed within a 1/8 inch Army Green border.
- Symbolism: The
red and white of the background are the colors used in
flags for Armies. The letter "A" represents "Army"
and is also the first letter of the alphabet suggesting
"First Army."
- Background: A
black letter "A" was approved as the
authorized insignia by the Commanding General, American
Expedition Force, on November 16, 1918 and approved by
the War Department on May 27, 1922. The background was
added on November 17, 1950.
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