Sixth US Army
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Unit
Insignia
- Description: A
gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches
(3.02cm) in height overall consisting of a white enamel
six-pointed star (formed by two equilateral triangles)
one point up from which issues 12 rays, 6 of gold color
metal alternating with 6 of red enamel forming in
silhouette another six-pointed star (with no two sides
parallel), two points up, the pointed rays larger and of
gold, the upper and lower two each bearing a blue enamel
five-pointed star, the points of the white enamel
six-pointed star resting and centered on the red rays
all above a gold convex motto scroll, the ends
terminating at and conjoined with the vertical sides of
the two lower points of the six-pointed star formed by
the gold and red rays, inscribed "Born of War"
in red enamel, the area between the bottom of the star
and the top of the scroll pierced.
- Symbolism: The
white six-pointed star with the points on red was
suggested by the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia for
the Sixth U.S. Army. The overall shape of the gold rays
issuing from the white star was suggested by the sun
device on the Philippine flag and together with the red
rays suggestive of Japan forms another six-pointed star
and refers to the entire Pacific Theater, World War II
for which the Sixth U.S. Army was awarded a Meritorious
Unit Commendation, alluded to by the red rays, the color
of the Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer. The four
blue stars refer to New Guinea, Bismark Archipelago,
Leyte and Luzon campaigns in which the Sixth U.S. Army
participated, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
awarded it for service 17 October 1944 to 4 July 1945
being alluded to by the gold rays of the Philippine sun.
All elements of the design which simulate a shell burst
and allude to the motto "Born of War," involve
the numerical designation of "six" – two
six-pointed stars, one consisting of six gold and six
red rays, and six stars (two six-pointed and four
five-pointed).
- Background: The
distinctive unit insignia was authorized on 6 Sep 1968.
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Shoulder
Sleeve Insignia
- Description: On
a six pointed white star 2 ½ inches (6.35cm) in
diameter with a red border 3/32 inch (.24cm) wide and
3/32 inch (.24cm) in from the edge, a red letter "A"
7/8 inch (2.22cm) high, all on a 2 ¾ inch (6.99cm)
Army Green disc.
- Symbolism: The
six-pointed star is significant of the number "six"
and the red letter "A" signifies "Army".
The red and white colors are the colors of the design
approved for distinguishing flags for the numbered
Armies.
- Background: The
shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved on 26
Jan 1927. The original insignia was cancelled,
redesigned and approved on 10 Jan 1945. On 6 Dec 1960
the shoulder sleeve insignia was amended to change the
background color from olive drab to Army Green.
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