South Carolina Army National Guard
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Unit
Insignia
- Description: A
gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02
cm) in height overall consisting of a blue obovate
shaped background, the lower sides concave, bearing a
gold palmetto, the trunk in back of a white
eight-pointed star (one point up) with small gold center
("pierced" center), and in front of a white
crescent (tips up), the inner (upper) edge touching the
three middle points of the star on either side and
terminating at the upper two points, all above a blue
scroll, inscribed "PALMETTO MINUTEMAN" in gold
letters, circumscribing the outer (lower) edge of the
crescent, and the two outer portions (ends) of gold,
each with one undulating fold tapering upwards and
outwards and merging with the upper periphery of the
background.
- Symbolism:
South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State and the
palmetto, the official State tree, appears on the
obverse of the State seal adopted 2 April 1776. A flag
consisting of a white crescent (in the upper corner of
the hoist) on a blue field was first displayed at Fort
Johnson on James Island, South Carolina, shortly after
it was taken and garrisoned 13 September 1775, by the
two South Carolina Regiments formed at the outbreak of
the American Revolution, the blue uniform of the troops
and their silver crescent cap badges suggesting the
design of the flag to Colonel William Moultrie, the
garrison Commander. On 28 January 1861, the blue flag
with its white crescent was modified by the addition of
a white palmetto in the center, and has been since then
the official flag of the State of South Carolina. A
palmetto tree in its natural colors with a silver
(white) crescent superimposed on the fronds was
authorized 31 December 1923, as the official crest of
the South Carolina National Guard; and the shoulder
sleeve insignia authorized 19 March 1952 is similar in
pattern to the State flag. The eight points of the "star"
or spur rowel refer to South Carolina being the eighth
of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the
Constitution. A spur rowel in itself is symbolic of
readiness, speed and determination in pressing onward
despite all obstacles. A spur rowel also alludes to "winning
one's spurs" - the performance of duty and the
accomplishment of some action which brings honor.
- Background: The
distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and noncolor
bearing units of the South Carolina Army National Guard
on 28 May 1971. The insignia was redesignated effective
1 October 1982, for Headquarters, State Area Command,
South Carolina Army National Guard.
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Shoulder
Sleeve Insignia
- Description: On
a blue shield with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border, 2
7/16 inches (6.19 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62 cm) in
height overall, a palmetto tree on a mound and in upper
left corner a crescent, both white.
- Symbolism: The
shoulder sleeve insignia is adapted from the crest of
the South Carolina Army National Guard.
- Background: The
shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, South Carolina
National Guard on 19 March 1952. It was redesignated on
30 December 1983, for Headquarters, State Area Command,
South Carolina Army National Guard.
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Crest
for Coat of Arms
- Description:
That for regiments and separate battalions of the South
Carolina Army National Guard: From a wreath of colors,
upon a mount Vert a palmetto tree Proper charged with a
crescent Argent.
- Symbolism:
South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State. "The
flag…has always been the state flag…a palmetto
tree…and a white crescent." On September 13,
1775, Colonel Moultrie received an order from the
Council of Safety for taking Fort Johnson on James
Island, South Carolina. His troops carried a blue flag
with silver crescent in the dexter corner. The troops
were clothed in blue and wore silver crescents in the
front of their caps. "This was the first American
Flag displayed in the South." It was this flag
which was shot from the bastion of Fort Sullivan and
which Sergeant Jasper fastened to a sponge staff and
replaced June 28, 1776. ("The Flag of the United
States and other National Flags," by Admiral
Preble, pages 209, 210 and 628).
- Background: The
crest for color bearing organizations of the State of
South Carolina was approved on 31 December 1923.
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