87 Infantry Regiment
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, on a mountain issuant from base Argent, an ice axe, and ski pole in saltirewise, points to base Proper, a horseshoe, points to base Gules. Attached below the shield is a silver scroll inscribed "VIRES MONTESQUE VINCIMUS" in red letters.
Symbolism
The snow capped mountains is where the organization first received its specialized training and the normal home of mountains troops. The crossed ski pole and ice axe are symbolic of the tools used by mountain troops and the horseshoe indicates the pack element of the organization. The 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment was the organization of its kind indicated by the single red horseshoe.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment on 21 Oct 1942. It was redesignated for the 87th Infantry Regiment on 13 Dec 1948.
Coat Of Arms
Blazon
Shield
Azure, on a mountain issuant from base Argent, an ice axe, and ski pole in saltirewise, points to base Proper, a horseshoe, points to base Gules.
Crest
On a wreath Argent and Azure rising from a castle tower of three battlements Gules masoned Or charged with a fountain, a demi-catamountain proper supporting a lance of the fourth with a split pennon parted fesswise of Vert, of the first and of the third.
Motto
VIRES MONTESQUE VINCIMUS (We Conquer Power and Mountains).
Symbolism
Shield: The shield bears a snow capped mountain to represent both the region where the organization first received it's specialized training and the normal home of mountain troops. The crossed ski pole and ice axe are symbolic of the tools used by mountain troops, while the horseshoe indicates the pack element of the organization. The fact that the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment was the first organization of its kind is indicated by the single red horseshoe. The red castle tower is reminiscent of the battle of Castel d'Aiano in Northern Italy, a bloody struggle against prepared positions, rough terrain, heavily mined areas, and enemy artillery fire; its three battlements stand for campaigns in the Aleutians, Northern Apennines, and Po Valley. The fountain (wavy white and blue-striped disc) represents the first crossing of the Po River which brought the 87th to the foothills of the Alps. The catamountain or wildcat personifies the fighting spirit, cunning, and aggressiveness of the Mountain Infantry, and the lance and pennant allude to the arms of the Province of Bologna where the unit emerged after fighting their way out of the Apennine Mountains.
Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment on 21 Oct 1942. It was redesignated on for the 87th Infantry Regiment on 13 Dec 1948. On 21 May 1956 the symbolism was amended to correct the translation of the motto. On 7 Dec 1964 the coat of arms was amended to change the wording in the blazonry of the shield and to add the crest.