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, a saltire Or bearing a prickly pear cactus intertwined with a snake of the first, a chief erminois.  Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed “LIBERTATIS CUSTODES” in Black letters.  

        Symbolism:   The insignia reflects the history of the 242d Tank Battalion, the former 2d Battalion of the 149th Infantry Regiment.  The design is the shield of the coat of arms of the Regiment differenced by a change of colors and by modification of the saltire and central charges.  The colors yellow and green are for Armor.  Civil War service is represented by the saltire.  Mexican War service is symbolized by the cactus and snake from the Mexican flag.  The chief is adapted from the ermine in the arms of both Brittany and Nantes, where the unit saw service in World War I.  The motto translates to “Guardians of Liberty.”

        Background:   The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 242d Tank Battalion on 6 July 1956.  It was redesignated for the 201st Engineer Battalion on 7 October 1960.

 

Coat of Arms.

        Blazon:  

                Shield:   Vert, a saltire Or bearing a prickly pear cactus intertwined with a snake of the first, a chief erminois.  

                Crest:   That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Kentucky Army National Guard:  On a wreath of the colors Or and Vert, within a garland of trumpet vine clasped hands clothed at the wrists all Proper.  

                Motto:   LIBERTATIS CUSTODES (Guardians Of Liberty).

        Symbolism:

              Shield:   The coat of arms reflects the history of the 242d Tank Battalion, the former 2d Battalion of the 149th Infantry Regiment.  The design is the coat of arms of the Regiment differenced by a change of colors and by modification of the saltire and central charges.  The colors yellow and green are for Armor.  Civil War service is represented by the saltire.  Mexican War service is symbolized by the cactus and snake from the Mexican flag.  The chief is adapted from the ermine in the arms of both Brittany and Nantes, where the unit saw service in World War I.    

                Crest:   The crest is that of the Kentucky Army National Guard.

        Background:   The coat of arms was originally approved for the 242d Tank Battalion on 6 July 1956.  It was redesignated for the 201st Engineer Battalion on 7 October 1960.