38th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 38th Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment
of the United States Army
first established in 1916.
The 38th shipped from the New York Port of Embarkation on 15 November 1943 and arrived in England five days later. Following a period of training in the UK it arrived in France on 12 June 1944, shortly after the Normandy invasion. It reached Belgium on 4 September 1944 and Germany on 30 March 1945. In August 1945 it was located at Prestice, Czechoslovakia. Returning to the United States, it was inactivated on 28 November 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. During the war in Europe, the 38th was attached to the 106th Cavalry Group (Mechanized.)
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Vert, on a bend indented Or between five fleurs-de-lis three to chief and two to base of the like, a tilting spear Sable. Attached below the shield is a Gold scroll inscribed “ALWAYS IN FRONT” in Green letters.
The colors, green and yellow, are those of Armor. The spear, black on gold, represents Cavalry descent. The five fleurs-de-lis are the traditional symbols of European battle honors and represent the unit’s World War II campaigns. The indented diagonal band represents a path between hostile lines, symbolizing the primary functions of a reconnaissance unit.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 38th Reconnaissance Battalion on 24 August 1951. It was redesignated for the 38th Cavalry Regiment with the description and symbolism updated on 24 July 2008.
Vert, on a bend indented Or between five fleurs-de-lis three to chief and two to base of the like, a tilting spear Sable.
From a wreath Or and Vert, in front of two broad swords points down saltirewise Proper a crenellated tower of the first bearing a lion rampant Sable holding in upraised dexter claws a spear Gris.
Motto
ALWAYS IN FRONT.
The colors, green and yellow, are those of Armor. The spear, black on gold, represents Cavalry descent. The five fleurs-de-lis are the traditional symbols of European battle honors and represent the unit’s World War II campaigns. The indented diagonal band represents a path between hostile lines, symbolizing the primary functions of a reconnaissance unit.
The tower represents campaigns in the Rhineland and Central Europe in which the Regiment participated during World War II. The black lion and spear, symbols used by Belgium, recall the decorations awarded the unit by that Nation for actions in its defense. The swords signify unit campaigns in Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia towards the end of the war and recall the award of the Presidential Unit Citation in 1945.
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 38th Reconnaissance Battalion on 24 August 1951. It was redesignated for the 38th Cavalry Regiment and amended to add a crest on 1 October 2008.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
first established in 1916.
History
During World War II, the 3d Reconnaissance Squadron was activated as part of the 1st Cavalry Division on 15 November 1942 at Fort Bliss, Texas. On 25 October 1943 it was redesignated as the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) at Camp Maxey, Texas.The 38th shipped from the New York Port of Embarkation on 15 November 1943 and arrived in England five days later. Following a period of training in the UK it arrived in France on 12 June 1944, shortly after the Normandy invasion. It reached Belgium on 4 September 1944 and Germany on 30 March 1945. In August 1945 it was located at Prestice, Czechoslovakia. Returning to the United States, it was inactivated on 28 November 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. During the war in Europe, the 38th was attached to the 106th Cavalry Group (Mechanized.)
Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Vert, on a bend indented Or between five fleurs-de-lis three to chief and two to base of the like, a tilting spear Sable. Attached below the shield is a Gold scroll inscribed “ALWAYS IN FRONT” in Green letters.
- Symbolism
The colors, green and yellow, are those of Armor. The spear, black on gold, represents Cavalry descent. The five fleurs-de-lis are the traditional symbols of European battle honors and represent the unit’s World War II campaigns. The indented diagonal band represents a path between hostile lines, symbolizing the primary functions of a reconnaissance unit.
- Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 38th Reconnaissance Battalion on 24 August 1951. It was redesignated for the 38th Cavalry Regiment with the description and symbolism updated on 24 July 2008.
Blazon
- Shield
Vert, on a bend indented Or between five fleurs-de-lis three to chief and two to base of the like, a tilting spear Sable.
- Crest
From a wreath Or and Vert, in front of two broad swords points down saltirewise Proper a crenellated tower of the first bearing a lion rampant Sable holding in upraised dexter claws a spear Gris.
Motto
ALWAYS IN FRONT.
-
- Symbolism
- Shield
The colors, green and yellow, are those of Armor. The spear, black on gold, represents Cavalry descent. The five fleurs-de-lis are the traditional symbols of European battle honors and represent the unit’s World War II campaigns. The indented diagonal band represents a path between hostile lines, symbolizing the primary functions of a reconnaissance unit.
- Crest
The tower represents campaigns in the Rhineland and Central Europe in which the Regiment participated during World War II. The black lion and spear, symbols used by Belgium, recall the decorations awarded the unit by that Nation for actions in its defense. The swords signify unit campaigns in Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia towards the end of the war and recall the award of the Presidential Unit Citation in 1945.
- Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 38th Reconnaissance Battalion on 24 August 1951. It was redesignated for the 38th Cavalry Regiment and amended to add a crest on 1 October 2008.
Current configuration
- 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC)
- 2nd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Fort Hood, TX)
- 3rd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA)
See also
- United States Army branch insigniaUnited States Army branch insigniaBranch insignia of the United States Army refers to military emblems that may be worn on the uniform of the United States Army to denote membership in a particular area of expertise and series of functional areas...
- Coats of arms of U.S. Armor and Cavalry RegimentsCoats of arms of U.S. Armor and Cavalry RegimentsThis page has been split as follows:* Coats of arms of U.S. Armor Regiments* Coats of arms of U.S. Cavalry Regiments-See also:* commons:Field Army insignia of the United States Army* Corps insignia of the United States Army...
- Field Artillery Branch (United States)
External links
- http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/ar/default.htm
- http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/cav/default.htm