83rd Infantry Division Distinctive Unit Insignia

Distinctive Insignia (DI's) are small enameled metal insignia, chosen and worn by most regiment or battalion-sized units. More than 2000 different designs had been authorized between 1923 and 1943. On January 2, 1943, owing to more than a thousand designs pending approval and the general shortage of strategic metals such as brass, the War Department suspended all further orders for distinctive insignia. However more insignia were unofficialy designed afterwards and privatly purchased by individual soldiers.

According to regulations, Enlisted men wore distinctive insignia on the left front of the garrison cap, and on each lapel of the woolen service coat or Ike jacket. Officers wore distinctive insignia on the shoulder loops of the service coat. It was also pinned on the left side of the officer's garrison cap until August 1942, when it was replaced by rank insignia.

The Distinctive Unit Insignia's (DUI's) collection below represents the major units of the 83rd Division during World War II. Smaller units, such as Band, HQ, MP, Ord, QM, Recon, and Signal did not have their own DUI, but wore that of the Division.

Scroll over the titles for the different types to read more information.

Source Information:
ASMIC (American Society of Military Insignia Collectors)

329th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 329th Infantry Regiment on May 7, I927. It was redesignated for the 329th Regiment on 22 August 1960.
A Gold metal and enamel device I I/8 inches (29mm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned Argent, on a pile Sable a fleur-de-lis Or. Attached around the bottom and sides of the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "NOUS GARDONS" in Black letters.
White is the old Infantry color, the black pile is the background of the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 83rd Division and the gold fleur-de-lis indicates the organization’s service in France during WWI as the 329th Infantry assigned to the 83rd Division. The motto "Nous Gardons" translates to "We Guard".

330th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

The DUI was originally approved for the 330th Infantry on May I7, I930. It was redesignated for the 330th Regiment on August 3, 1960 as the 330th regiment (Basic Combat Training), an element of the 70th Division (Training).
A Silver metal and enamel device I I/32 inches in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned Azure, a torteau within an annulet Argent, on a chief of last three fleur-de-lis of the first. Attached below and to the sides of the shield is a Silver scroll inscribed "VERUS AD FINEM" in Black letters. Blue and white (silver) are colors for the Infantry. The red disk encircled with the silver ring is from the state flag of Ohio to which state the 330th Infantry Regiment was allocated in I92I. The fleurs-de-lis on the white/silver chief are from the coat of arms of Le Mans, where the Regiment received its training during WWI. The motto"Verus Ad Finem" translates to "True to the End".

331st Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 33Ist Infantry Regiment on April 29, I925. A Silver metal device. On a light blue shield three fleur-de-lis in fess between four annulets, three in chief, one in base, all silver. Attached below a silver scroll inscribed the motto "SEE IT TROUGH".

322nd Field Artillery Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

The distinctive unit insignia was approved for the 322nd Field Artillery Battalion on January 14, 1926.
On a Red metal shield is a black pile behind a gold Lorraine cross. The shield is red for artillery and the black pile represents part of the 83rd Infantry Division insignia. The cross of Lorraine is for the province of Lorraine where the unit served during World War 1. Attached around the bottom of the shield a gold scroll inscribed the motto "AD UNUM OMNES". The motto translates to "All to a man".

323rd Field Artillery Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 323rd Field Artillery Battalion on August 10, 1927.
On a Gold metal shield the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 32nd Division (a red arrow having shot through a line) between a spray of green buckeye of five leaves and a black, caisson wheel with eight spokes, all within a narrow red border. Attached around the bottom of the shield a gold scroll inscribed "KEEP THEM ROLLING".

The red arrow of the 32nd Infantry Division is there because the battalion supported that unit during WW2. The spray of buckeye symbolizes the allocation of the unit to the state of Ohio after World War 1. The caisson wheel represents the excellent feat of the unit during World War 1. All caissons of the unit were used to transport ammunition which was delivered under fire and every carriage returned to the echelon.

324th Field Artillery Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

The sample for the distinctive unit insignia was approved for the 324th Field Artillery Battalion on June 18, 1935.
A Gold metal and enamel device. On a red shield and in front of two yellow bendlets a green tree with brown trunk on a green mound. The shield is red for artillery. The tree represents the Battalion's participation in the Meuse-Argonne offensive during World War 1. The two bendlets indicate that the battalion entered action twice during that campaign. Attached around the bottom of the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "NOUS SOUTENONS" in Black letters. The motto translates to "We Support".

908th Field Artillery Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

A Gold metal and enamel device. On a shield devided per bend gold and red, the gold is in the upper left and the red is on the lower right. In front a fleur-de-lis on a shell divided per bend yellow and red. The colors red and gold represent the artillery. The shell represents the character of the unit while the fleur-de-lis symbolizes the participation of the unit in the Meuse-Argonne offensive of World War 1. Attached around the bottom of the shield a Gold scroll inscribed the motto "ON THE WAY".

308th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

A Gold metal and enamel device. On a white shield is a black timber bridge of two bents, the piling issuing from dark blue water, all within a red border charged with 6 black isoceles triangles, points down.

308th Medical Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

The distinctive unit insignia was conditionally approved for the 308th Medical Battalion in 1955.
A silver metal and enamel device. On a maroon shield is a silver circle and single fleur-de-lis. The maroon is the color of the Medical Department, the fleur-de-lis most likely symbolizes the participation in France of the 308th Sanitary Train during World War 1. The 308th Sanitary Train was consolidated with the 308th Medical Regiment in 1934 and redesignated as the 308th Medical Battalion on January 30, 1942.

332th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia -A-

The distinctive unit insignia was approved for the 332nd Infantry Regiment on August 12, 1925.
A Gold metal and enamel device. A red oblong lies on top of the unit insignia of the 83rd Infantry Division. The red oblong depicts a Lion of St. Mark with his paw resting on an open book, bearing the numbers '332'. This is identical to the rectangular red shoulder patch, worn by the doughboys of the 332nd Infantry Regiment during World War 1.

332th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia -B-

A Gold metal and enamel device. On a light blue shield is a winged passant lion of St. Mark in gold. The blue is the color of the infantry. The Lion of St. Mark symbolizes the regiments unique service in Italy during World War 1. Attached around the bottom of the shield a Gold scroll inscribed "NOLI IRRITARE LEONEM" in raised gold letters.The motto translates to "Don't Rouse the Lion".

83rd Infantry Division Distinctive Unit Insignia

A Gold metal device of the 83rd Infantry Division patch in black and Gold enamel.
Smaller units, such as Band, Headquarters, MIlitary Police, Ordnance, Quartermaster, Reconnaisence Troop and Signal did not have their own DUI, but wore that of the Division. Measures 27x30mm (1 1/16 x 1 7/32 inches)

83rd ARCOM Insignia

Each Infantry Division of the Army Reserves that did not become a training division was converted into an Army Reserve Command or ARCOM if we use its populary shortened term, and retained its former numerical designation. Thus, meaning the 83rd ARCOM is the former 83rd Infantry Division. Design approved on December 8, 1942. The crusaders' cross indicating leaderschip symbolizes the functions of the organization. The nummerical designation is shown by the moline form of the cross, the heraldic symbol of the eight son, the silver mullet being reprentative of the third son. Motto "FULGE" translated to "Shine fort".
In most of these insignia we can find a charge or charges from the former division's. Therefore the 83rd ARCOM has the blue color for Infantry and in my opinion, the silver star might symbolize the divisions' service in 5 Campaigns during World War 2.
A Silver metal and enamel device. On a dark blue moline cross, a silver star above a silver scroll bearing the motto "FULGE" in dark blue letters.