in support of the US Army Quartermaster
Museum and this Website
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54th SUPPORT BATTALION Constituted 28 May 1943 in the Army of the United States as the 54th Quartermaster Truck Battalion. Activated 7 July 1943 with personnel and equipment from the 2638th Quartermaster Truck Battalion (Provisional) (organized in November 1942 in Tunisia). Battalion broken up 3 November 1943 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows:
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 54th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, inactivated 31 October 1945 in Germany. Converted and redesignated 1 August 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 54th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion. Redesignated 3 August 1949 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 54th Transportation Truck Battalion, and allotted to the Regular Army. Activated 2 September 1949 at Fort Story, Virginia. Reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1952 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 54th Transportation Amphibious Truck Battalion. Redesignated 5 December 1952 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 54th Transportation Battalion. Inactivated 27 June 1955 at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Redesignated 9 August 1955 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 54th Transportation Battalion. Activated 27 August 1955 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Inactivated 21 October 1963 in Germany. Activated 1 June 1966 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Inactivated 13 August 1970 in Vietnam. Converted and redesignated 1 May 1987 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 54th Support Battalion, assigned to the 3d Armored Division, and activated in Germany (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated). Inactivated 15 April 1992 in Germany.Activated as the 54th Support Battalion (Base), 80th Area Support Group, 16 September 1994. CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT World War II Vietnam Southwest Asia Defense of Saudi Arabia Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Cease-Fire DECORATIONS Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA (31 Jan 91 - 19 June 91, DAGO 14, 11 Apr 97) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gilt Star, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1970 DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA Approved: 29 March 1967 for the 54th Transportation Battalion, redesignated to the 54th Support Battalion on 1 May 1987. Description: A gold color medal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches in height consisting of a brick red disc-wheel with a gold rim and a blue hub from which emits upwardly a gold broad arrow overall, and on the lower half radially six gold spokes . The rim is inscribed in black letters with the unit's motto, "Resolutely for Freedom". Symbolism: Brick red and gold are the colors used for transportation, the predecessor organization, and the wheel alludes to the Quartermaster Corps, from which the organization descended, and also to mobility. The board arrow and blue hub refer to the air carrier aspects of the predecessor unit and implies speed. The six arrow spokes refer to the battle honors awarded the unit during World War II for the campaigns of Tunisia, Sicily, Rome-Arno, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Southern France; the broad arrow is for the seventh one, Central Europe. COAT OF ARMS Approved: 1 May 1987 SHIELD: Description: Gules (brick red), a wheel or the spokes formed by ten arrows of the like radiating from a hub azure, in chief a broad arrow of the second. Symbolism: Brick red and golden yellow are the colors used for Transportation, the predecessor organization, and the wheel alludes to the Quartermaster Corps from which the organization descended, and also to mobility. The broad arrow and blue hub refer to the air carrier aspects of the predecessor unit and implies speed. The arrow spokes refer to defense and support. The broad arrow is symbolic of the unit's war service during World War II. CREST: Description: On a wreath of the colors or and gules (brick red) a cross patty of the first entwined with two palm branches proper tied with a ribbon of the second. Symbolism: Brick red and golden yellow are the colors traditionally associated with transportation. The cross patty is adapted from the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Award and represents that award. The palm branches are indicative of victory and achievement and allude to the unit's campaign service in Vietnam. They are tied with a red ribbon, suggesting the award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. MOTTO: Resolutely for Freedom.
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