Distinctive Unit Insignia.  Description:   A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned:  Azure, on a pale Or between two wavy pallets Argent a chevron Gules bearing a crescent of the third.  Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed “WE SUPPORT THE LOAD” in Blue.  

        Symbolism:   Yellow (buff) and scarlet are the colors for Support.  The blue and white wavy areas simulate water and allude to the Mediterranean area in which elements of the organization served during World War II.  The color red is a reference to Hampton’s “Red Shirts” and together with the crescent taken from the flag of the State of South Carolina refers to the location and home area of the organization.  The chevron is indicative of support.  

        Background:   The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 163d Support Battalion on 14 September 1977.  It was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 218th Support Battalion with the description updated.  

 

Coat of Arms.

         Blazon:  

                Shield:   Azure, on a pale Or between two wavy pallets Argent a chevron Gules bearing a crescent of the third. 

                Crest:   That for the regiments and separate battalions of the South Carolina Army National Guard:  On a wreath of the colors Or and Azure a mount Vert a palmetto tree Proper charged with a crescent Argent.  

                Motto:   WE SUPPORT THE LOAD.  

         Symbolism:

              Shield:   Yellow (buff) and scarlet are the colors for Support.  The blue and white wavy areas simulate water and allude to the Mediterranean area in which elements of the organization served during World War II.  The color red is a reference to Hampton’s “Red Shirts” and together with the crescent taken from the flag of the State of South Carolina refers to the location and home area of the organization.  The chevron is indicative of support.  

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

         Background:   The coat of arms was originally approved for the 163d Support Battalion on 13 April 1977.  It was amended to correct the colors of the wreath in the crest on 27 June 1977.  The insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 2008, for the 218th Support Battalion.