169TH FIRES BRIGADE

 

 

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description:   A shield-shaped device 2 inches (5.08cm) in width and 2 3/4 inches (6.99cm) in height overall, consisting of three red mountain peaks with white caps bearing a yellow field piece in vertical center, all below a light blue sky area and all within a 1/8 inch (.32cm) yellow border.

        Symbolism:  Scarlet and yellow are the traditional colors of Field Artillery and the field piece refers to the organization's mission. The light blue sky and mountain peaks, representing the Rocky Mountains, refer to the previous home station of the unit at Denver, Colorado. Yellow further alludes to the historic gold fields of the state, and the red mountains allude to the state name, Colorado, which is Spanish for "colored red."

        Background:  The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 169th Field Artillery Brigade on 3 January 1979.  It was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 169th Fires Brigade with the description and symbolism updated.  (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-631)

 

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description:   A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of at top three light blue clouds conjoined and arched, at the center a scarlet snow-capped (white) mountain peak in front of and between two similar peaks and bearing a green disc charged with a gold fleur-de-lis, in base three wavy bars, dark blue, white, and dark blue, surmounted over the bars three gold arrowheads each pointing centerwise, all above a semi-circular gold scroll folded back at each end and inscribed in dark blue letters in Latin "LENTI SUMUS.”

        Symbolism:  The three arrowheads symbolize the unit's three assault landings Sicily, Naples-Foggia and Southern France during World War II. The fleur-de-lis with the green disc alludes to the green fields of Europe and symbolizes the Anzio, Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe Campaigns. Green, white and red are national colors of Italy and also symbolize the unit's award of the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for combat service in Italy. The three mountain peaks also allude to the organization's historical background as an Infantry unit in World War I and later a Calvary unit and then an Artillery unit. The light blue sky and the Rocky Mountains represent the previous home station of the organization at Denver, Colorado, the wavy blue bars represent the lakes and rivers of the area.  The motto translates to “We Are Flexible.”

        Background:  The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 169th Artillery Group on 13 May 1971. It was redesignated for the 169th Field Artillery Group on 2 May 1972. The insignia was redesignated and the symbolism amended for the 169th Field Artillery Brigade on 20 June 1978.  It was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 169th Fires Brigade with the description and symbolism updated.