9th Cav


DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA	COAT OF ARMS

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device

1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall: An Indian in breech clout and war bonnet, mounted on a galloping pony, brandishing a rifle in his right and holding a single rein in his left hand, all in gold, displayed upon a five-bastioned fort in blue edged with gold.

Symbolism: The five-bastioned fort was the badge of the Fifth Army Corps in

Cuba

, of which the Ninth Cavalry was a part. The yellow outline is for the Cavalry, and the blue for active service in the Spanish-American War. The mounted Indian represents the Indian campaigns of the Regiment.

Background: Originally approved for the 9th Cavalry on 22 Oct 1925 . Redesignated for the 509th Tank Battalion on 23 May 1951 . On 31 July 1951 , the symbolism was amended. The distinctive unit insignia was redesignated for the 9th Cavalry on 1 Oct 1958 .

Shield: Or, on a pile Azure in Chief a sun of eight points of rays between three five-bastioned mullets two and one of the field, in base overall the blockhouse of San Juan Hill , Santiago ,

Cuba

, Proper.

Crest: On a wreath of the colors a horseshoe with nine nail holes heels down Argent winged Purpure debruised by two arrows in saltire Sable armed and flitted Gules.

Shield: The regiment was organized in 1866. The field is yellow for the Cavalry and blue triangle with the sun and three five-pointed stars are from the old flag of the Philippine Insurrection with a change of color. The three stars represent the three tours of duty in the Islands . The blockhouse is the old pride of the regiment, a representation of the actual one which was taken at San Juan , Santiago ,

Cuba

, in 1898. The wedge is blue in color and recalls the fact that the 9th split the Spanish line at Santiago with the capture of the blockhouse when they charged dismounted as Infantry.

Crest: The crest is the well-known Scotch device signifying the alertness of the mounted man and the arrows are for the old Indian campaigns of the regiment.

Background: The coat of arms was originally approved on 10 Apr 1922 . It was amended on 4 Oct 1922 and further amended on 29 Aug 1924 . On 28 May 1951 , the coat of arms was redesignated for the 509th Tank Battalion. It was redesignated for the 9th Cavalry on 1 Oct 1958 . The coat of arms' symbolism was amended on 23 Jun 1960 .

     An Indian in breech clout and war bonnet, mounted on a galloping pony, brandishing a rifle in his right hand and holding a single rein in his left, all gold and superimposed on a dark blue five bastioned fort.

     The five bastioned fort was the badge of the Fifth Army Corps in Cuba, of which the 9th Cavalry was a part. The gold (yellow) is for the Cavalry and the blue is for active service during the War with Spain. The mounted Indian represents the Indian campaigns of the regiment.

     The sample of the badge was approved 31 December 1925.

     This insignia (badge, or (D.I.) Distinctive Insignia) is often referred to as the "Unit Crest", this is in error. The description for the 9th Cavalry Unit Crest follows;

     Unit Crest: On a wreath of the colors of a horseshoe with nine nail holes, heels down argent, winged purpure, debruised by two arrows in saltire sable and flitted gules.

Shield: Or, on a pile azure, in a chief a sun of eight points of rays between three five pointed mullets, two and one of the field; in a base overall the block house of San Juan Hill, Santiago, Cuba, proper.

John Maclean's Cavalry Country - The Home of the 1st Platoon, A Troop, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ID - Armored Recon, DMZ Police - As it was in 1959!

9TH CAVALRY

Shield: Or, on a pile azure, in a chief a sun of eight points of rays between three five pointed mullets, two and one of the field; in a base overall the block house of San Juan Hill, Santiago, Cuba, proper.