102 Armor Regiment

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Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned:  Or a horse’s head erased Azure in chief two fleurs-de-lis Gules.  Attached above the shield from a wreath of the colors Or and Azure a lion’s head erased Or collared four fusils Gules.  Attached below the shield a Blue scroll inscribed “FIDE ET FORTITUDINE” in Gold letters.

Symbolism

The shield is yellow for Armor.  It also refers to the early history of the Regiment as Cavalry.  The two fleurs-de-lis represent the service in France during World War I and World War II, while the horse’s head is the old crest of the Essex Troop.  The motto translates to “By Fidelity and Fortitude.”

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 102d Cavalry Regiment on 14 August 1923.  It was amended to add the crest and motto on 16 May 1931.  It was redesignated for the 102d Armored Cavalry Regiment and amended to correct the colors of the wreath in the crest on 19 January 1954.  The insignia was redesignated for the 102d Armor Regiment and amended to revise the symbolism on 18 February 1970.

Coat Of Arms

Blazon

Shield

Or a horse’s head erased Azure in chief two fleurs-de-lis Gules.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the New Jersey Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure a lion’s head erased Or collared four fusils Gules.

Motto

FIDE ET FORTITUDINE (By Fidelity and Fortitude).

Symbolism

Shield

The shield is yellow for Armor.  It also refers to the early history of the Regiment as Cavalry.  The two fleurs-de-lis represent the service in France during World War I and World War II, while the horse’s head is the old crest of the Essex Troop.

Crest

The crest is that of the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 102d Cavalry Regiment on 26 July 1922.  It was redesignated for the 102d Armored Cavalry Regiment and amended to correct the colors of the wreath in the crest on 19 January 1954.  The insignia was redesignated for the 102d Armor Regiment and amended to revise the symbolism on 18 February 1970.