United States Army Institute of Heraldry

Heraldic and other military symbols have been used by the U.S. military and government agencies since the beginning of the American Revolution, however, there was no co-ordinated military heraldry program until 1919, when an office within the United States Department of War staff was established to approve and co-ordinate the coats of arms and insignia of U.S. Army organizations. In 1924, formal staff responsibility for specific military designs was delegated to the Quartermaster General. As the needs for symbolism by the military services and the national government expanded, the scope of the services furnished by the Quartermaster General's Office evolved into the Heraldic Program.

The expansion of the Army during World War II, and the subsequent, increased interest in symbolism, contributed to the growth of the Heraldic Program. It was further expanded by Public Law 85-263, approved September 1957, 71 Stat. 89, which delineated the authority of the Secretary of the Army to furnish heraldic services to the military departments and other branches of the federal government.

18 U.S.C. § 704 and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507) permit the Institute of Heraldry to issue directives on how military insignia are displayed, the criteria for issuance, and how insignia will be worn on military uniforms.

On 1960-08-10, Army General Order Number 29 placed the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the control of the Quartermaster General. The Army Adjutant General’s office assumed responsibility of the Institute in 1962, when the Office of the Quartermaster General ceased existing because the Army reorganized. In 1987, another realignment subordinated the Institute to the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command (the U.S. Army Human Resources Command). In April 1994, the Institute of Heraldry moved from Cameron Station to Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In October 2004, another realignment assigned responsibility for the Heraldic Program to The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, Resources and Programs Agency, part of the United States Army.

• Authorize heraldic items for U.S. Army Organizations.
• Approve designs for distinctive unit insignia (DUI), regimental distinctive insignia (RDI), and shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI), as authorized by Army Regulation 670-1.
• Establish Army policy for flag design and display.
• Design and develop insignia (branch, grade, unit) seals, medals, badges, band regalia and flags.
• Fabricate three-dimensional display items.
• Prepare heraldic item specifications and provide engineering support to manufacturers.
• Monitor the Heraldic Quality Control System in accordance with Army Regulation 672-8, to ensure heraldic items are manufactured according to government specifications or purchase descriptions.
• Authorize the use of Army insignia when incorporated into items for commercial sale.
• Provide manufacturers with government-loaned tools and specifications for heraldic items.

• Shield: Or a chevron Gules, on a chief Sable a label of the first.
• Crest: On a wreath Or and Gules, a griffin rampant of the first.
• Banners: Flanking the crest two banners, the staffs Light Brown with Silver finials and ferrules passing behind the shield and extending below the motto scroll, the dexter banner Or bordered compony of the like and Azure, charged with a mullet of the last voided Argent, the sinister banner Or bordered compony of the like and Gules, charged with a Tudor Rose barb and seeded Vert.
• Scroll: Or lined Sable with lettering of the last.
• Motto: AEGIS FORTISSIMA HONOS (Honor is the Strongest Shield)

• Shield:

1. The red chevron refers to the military (armed services) which supports and is under the civil jurisdiction of the federal government represented by the label, the three points alluding to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.
2. The label also is indicative of The Institute of Heraldry being the direct descendant (offspring) of the heraldic activity initially created in 1919 under The General Staff, United States Army, in 1924 transferred to the Quartermaster General and in 1962 reassigned to The Adjutant General.
3. Furthermore, the label alludes to The Institute of Heraldry as being the only heraldic activity in the United States which is officially comparable to the heraldic institutions of the Old World and which continues the art and science of heraldry under its long established traditional and historic rules.

• Crest:

1. The griffin, a fabulous animal half eagle and half lion, is symbolic of wisdom and inspiration.
2. The role of the griffin as guardian of treasure is symbolic of the Institute's singular responsibility to safeguard the heraldic art of the federal government.
3. The eagle also alludes to the United States and the lion to Great Britain, the major source of US language, laws and heraldic knowledge.

• Banners:

1. Dexter: The large white star (heraldic mullet) edged with blue symbolizes all the States, which comprise the United States, and was suggested by the union of the United States Flag.
2. Sinister: The red and white (Tudor) heraldic rose alludes to the first and permanent colonization of America by the English under the Tudors.

• Colors: Gold is symbolic of achievement and honor, red of zeal, and black of jurisprudence and knowledge.

• Distinctive Unit Insignia
• Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

• Institute of Heraldry Fact Sheet No. 10, October 1997
• The Quartermaster Heraldic Section & The US Army Institute of Heraldry
• US Army Heraldry

• Official web site
• The Design of American Heraldry: An Interview with Charles V. Mugno