Regimental Crest

The design of the Chemical Corps crest is on a wreath of colors, gold (yellow) and cobalt blue (dark blue), a combination of the historically significant symbols of the Chemical Corps. The green dragon is the current Chemical Corps symbol with which most chemical soldiers readily identify. The mythological chlorine-breathing green dragon was chosen to represent the first use of toxic gas, chlorine, in combat.

Unit Insignia

The design of the company insignia centers on a gold metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches in width overall consisting of a shield emblazoned with the colors of the Army Chemical Corps, gold (yellow) and cobalt blue (dark blue). The battle scared tree trunk, taken from the coat of arms of the 1st Chemical Regiment, refers to the historical beginnings, or roots, of American chemical warfare. The dragon, a legendary creature, symbolizes the fire and destruction of chemical warfare. The motto, Elementis Regamus Proelium, "We Rule the Battle through the Elements", depicts the role of chemicals (smoke, flame, and chemical agents) in war and the Chemical Corps mission to aid in the deterrence of chemical warfare and the defense against and retaliation to its use.

1st Cavalry Division Patch

The insignia selected for the First Team patch was designed by Colonel and Mrs. Ben Dorcy. The colonel was then commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas. Mrs. Dorcy related that the combination of the golden sunset at Fort Bliss and the traditional colors of the Cavalry; blue and yellow, were a great influence on the background color and the insignia. The choice of the horse's head for the insignia was made by the family after they observed a mounted trooper ride by their home on a beautiful blue-black thoroughbred. Later, to improve visibility, the color scheme was modified replacing the blue for black, the symbolic color of iron and armor.

On a "sunset" yellow triangular Norman Shield with rounded corners 5 1/4 inches in height, a black diagonal stripe extends over the shield from upper left to the lower right. In the upper right, a black horse's head cut off diagonally at the neck, appears within 1/8 inches of an Army Green border. The traditional Cavalry color of yellow and the horse's head is symbolic of the original organizational structure of the Cavalry. The color black is symbolic of iron, alluding to the organizational transition from mounted horses to tanks and heavy armor. The black stripe, in heraldry termed a "Sable Bend", represents a "baldric" (a standard Army issue belt worn over the right shoulder to the opposite hip - sometimes referred to as a "Sam Browne belt") which retains either a scabbard which sheaths the trooper's saber or revolver holster.

During the Vietnam engagements, the "sunset yellow" field of the patch was changed to a subdued Olive Drab (OD) green for the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) in order to minimize targeting of personnel. For operations in desert environments, the field of the patch was again changed to a tan (Khaki) color and the emblazoned, "Sable" black charge elements was changed to saddle brown (Spice) so that the contrast against the Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) was minimized. The sunset yellow/black patch is retained for Class "A" dress uniform. Otherwise the patch has not changed from the original design and shape.