5th Infantry Division Red Diamond, US Army

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5TH INFANTRY DIVISION RED DIAMOND, US ARMY

History: Activated on 17 November 1917 as 5th Division, organized at Camp Logan (Texas) on 11 December 1917. Inactivated 4 October 1921 at Camp Jackson (South Carolina). Reactivated at Fort McClellan (Alabama) on 16 October 1939. Reorgnized and re-designated 5th Infantry Division on 1 August 1942.


Coat of arms (crest) of 5th Infantry Division Red Diamond, US Army

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)
Coat of arms (crest) of 5th Infantry Division Red Diamond, US Army

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: A red diamond (a rhombus) with vertical axis 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) and horizontal axis 1 1/2 inches (3.81cm).

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel insignia 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a red diamond shaped spearhead pointed upwards and bisecting a blue wave, encircling the base of the spearhead a silver scroll inscribed with the words "WE WILL" in black.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The insignia was adopted by the Division upon its arrival in France. The color red was selected as a compliment to the then Commanding General whose branch of the service was the Artillery. The "ace of diamonds" was selected from the trade name "Diamond dye - it never runs." The red diamond represents a well-known problem in bridge building, it is made up of two adjacent isosceles triangles which made for the greatest strength. The Division's nickname is "Red Diamond." It is reported that the Division was latterly known among the Germans opposed to it as the "Red Tigers" and the "Red Devils."

Distinctive Unit Insignia: The design symbolizes the piercing of the German Army's Meuse River defenses by the men of the 5th Division in World War I, an achievement which caused the organization to be known as the Meuse Division and gave them their Red Diamond emblem. The operation was described by General Pershing as "one of the most brilliant military feats in the history of the American Army in France."

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally approved for 5th Division on 20 October 1918. It was amended on 11 October 1922 to correct the wording of the description. On 25 May 1943 the insignia was redesignated for the 5th Infantry Division and amended to include the symbolism of the design. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 27 September 1965.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.


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