English: Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, a saltire Gules between a rainbow couped Proper (of three bands, Red, Yellow and Blue), an Indian’s head in profile Proper with one feather in topknot of the second and a prickly pear cactus Vert. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed “COME WHAT WILL” in Black letters.
Symbolism
The shield is yellow (gold) for Cavalry. The saltire denotes Confederate service during the Civil War. The rainbow, which is the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 42d Division, indicates service in that Division during World War I; the Indian head represents Indian warfare; and the cactus, Mexican border service.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 108th Cavalry Regiment on 1 November 1929. It was redesignated for the 105th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion on 4 January 1952. The insignia was redesignated for the 139th Armor Regiment on 29 August 1960. It was redesignated for the 139th Cavalry Regiment on 19 January 1966. It was redesignated for the 205th Engineer Battalion on 26 June 1968. It was rescinded on 2 September 1976. The insignia was reinstated and redesignated for the 108th Cavalry Regiment on 28 February 1996.