The Heraldic Section of the Office of the Quartermaster General was responsible for the research, design and development of distinctive unit insignia, shoulder sleeve insignia (patches), flags, medals, seals, coats of arms and other heraldic items for the Army.
Whether it is fancy, vanity, a dream, or conceit, the Army has developed a desire to be bedecked with symbolic figures representative of ideals, achievements, and exploits. In 1919 the War Department authorized the adoption of coats of arms to appear upon the regimental colors and standards.
The heraldic Program of the Department of Defense provides assistance to the Secretaries of Defense, Army, Navy and Air Force, either individually or collectively, in establishing and maintaining a scientific, coordinated plan in the creation and use of symbols to promote morale and esprit de corps in the Armed Forces of the United States.
The use of these distinctive unit emblems to identify soldiers as members of organizations with proud traditions all started when General Philip Kearny, in the summer of 1862, mistook some officers for stragglers from his own command.
The traditional seal used during and since the Revolution was redesignated as the Seal of the Department of the Army by the National Security Act of 1947.
Prior to the establishment of the Department of the Army Emblem, there was no official display item to identify the Army. The Army seal had traditionally been used to authenticate documents only and was not authorized for display.
The United States Army Flag was officially adopted by order of President Dwight D. Eisenhower through Executive Order No. 10670, on June12, 1956.
The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
For the first time since 1912, the United States will officially unfurl a new flag on Independence Day, 4 July, when admission of Alaska as a state will be marked by the addition of another star to the blue union of the National Banner. The new flag will be in use only a year, since next 4 July a 50-star flag will have been adopted to signify the admission of Hawaii as a State.
The Betsy Ross flag-making story brought to life after the Civil War has been growing since then and is now accepted as a tradition by many Americans. Its resounding echo has reached even the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot.
