Category:5th Cavalry Regiment Heraldry

Coat of Arms[edit]

Blazon[edit]

• Shield:Or a cross moline Sable, on a chief embattled of the last a maltese cross Argent.

• Crest:On a wreath of the colors (Or and Sable) a bundle of five arrows Sable armed and flitted Gules, tied with a rattlesnake skin having five rattles Proper.

• Motto: LOYALTY AND COURAGE.

Symbolism[edit]

• Shield:

1. The shield is yellow for Cavalry.
2. The cross moline symbolizes the charge of this Regiment on Longstreet's troops at Gaines Mills in 1862; a charge which saved the Union artillery and which is characterized by the Regimental historian as "its most distinguished service."
3. The cross moline is supposed to represent the iron pieces of a mill stone (moulin, the French word Mill).
4. The chief is for the Puerto Rican Expedition of 1898.The original name of the island was San Juan, named for the old knights of St. John who wore a white maltese cross on a black habit. The partition line is embattled to suggest the castle on the Spanish arms.

• Crest:The crest is for the Indian campaigns of the Regiment; the number of arrows corresponds to the numerical designation of the organization.

Background[edit]

1. The coat of arms was originally approved for the 5th Cavalry on 1921-06-11.
2. It was redesignated for the 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 1953-12-16.
3. The insignia was redesignated for the 5th Cavalry on 1959-07-10.
4. It was amended to revise the symbolism on [p[1960-06-23]].

Distinctive Unit Insignia[edit]

Description[edit]

• A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 7/32 inches (3.10 cm) in height consisting of a coat of arms blazoned as follows:

1. Shield: Or a cross moline Sable, on a chief embattled of the last a Maltese cross Argent.
2. Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Sable) a bundle of five arrows Sable armed and flighted Gules, tied with a rattlesnake skin having five rattles Proper; the device enclosed within a motto scroll arcing over the top of the shield and inscribed "Loyalty" on the dexter side and "Courage" to sinister in Black letters.

Symbolism[edit]

• Shield:

1. The shield is yellow for Cavalry.
2. The cross moline symbolizes the charge of this Regiment on Longstreet's troops at Gaines Mills in 1862; a charge which saved the Union artillery and which is characterized by the Regimental historian as "its most distinguished service."
3. The cross moline is supposed to represent the iron pieces of a mill stone (moulin, the French word Mill).
4. The chief is for the Puerto Rican Expedition of 1898.The original name of the island was San Juan, named for the old knights of St. John who wore a white maltese cross on a black habit. The partition line is embattled to suggest the castle on the Spanish arms.

• Crest:The crest is for the Indian campaigns of the Regiment; the number of arrows corresponds to the numerical designation of the organization.

Background[edit]

1. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 5th Cavalry on 1923-01-19.
2. It was redesignated for the 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 1953-12-16.
3. The insignia was redesignated for the 5th Cavalry on 1959-07-10.
4. It was amended to revise the symbolism on 1960-06-23.

Flag[edit]

• a.Size:

1. Hoist: Three Feet.
2. Fly: Four Feet.
3. Fringe: 2½”

• b.Description.

1. The flag has a solid background with an embroidered American eagle displayed centered thereon. In its right talon the eagle holds an olive branch; in its left talon, a bundle of 13 arrows, all in proper colors. Its beak grasps a scroll inscribed with the unit motto. Below the eagle is a scroll inscribed with the designation of the organization. On the eagle’s breast is embroidered the shield of the coat of arms and the crest is above the eagle’s head, except that Regular Army units with no wartime service are not entitled to a crest. For those organizations with an approved badge in lieu of a coat of arms, the eagle’s breast is feathered and the badge is located above the eagle’s head.

• c. Organizational colors:

1. Organization: Cavalry
2. Background: Yellow
3. Fringe: Yellow
4. Letters and Numbers: Scarlet
5. Scrolls.
   1. Outline:Scarlet
   2. Background: White

• d. The crest for color-bearing organizations of the Active Army also reflects the history and honors of each regiment or separate battalion.

• e. All Army National Guard units allotted to a State will use the crest approved for that State. On the color of separate battalions (fixed and flexible), the crest of the state to which the battalion headquarters is allotted will be displayed on the color. For regiments, the crest of each state that is allotted a battalion of the regiment will be displayed above the eagle’s head, from dexter to sinister, in the order of admission of each state into the union.

• f. All color-bearing organizations of the Army Reserve use the Lexington Minuteman crest above the eagle’s head.