Heraldry and Insignia of the California
State Military Forces
223d Regiment (Regional Training
Institute)
223d Infantry Regiment
223d Armored Infantry Battalion
223rd Regiment
(Regional Training Institute)
Current
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description: A silver color metal and enamel
device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of
a shield blazoned: Per bend Argent and Azure, a fleur-de-lis,
in dexter chief counterchanged, above in dexter base a sea lion
holding in its dexter paw a sword palewise of the second and
in sinister chief a Korean bell of the second garnished white.
Attached below the shield is a silver scroll inscribed "SIEMPRE
ADELANTE".
Symbolism: The service of the former organization,
the 223d Armored Infantry Battalion, is indicated by the colors
blue and white which represents Infantry. The fleur-de-lis, taken
from the canton of the 185th Infantry Regiment, alludes to the
descent of the 223d Armored Infantry Battalion from the 2d Battalion
of that organization and also symbolizes the battalion’s
World War I service. The sea lion represent service in the Philippines
during World War II. The bell, for which Korea is noted, is for
service in that country during that conflict.
Background: The insignia was originally approved
for the 223d Armored Infantry Battalion on 13 Jun 1956. It was
rescinded on 5 Jul 1961. On 29 Oct 1997 the description and symbolism
was revised and authorized for the 223rd Regiment.
Coat
of Arms
Shield: Per bend Argent and Azure, a fleur-de-lis,
in dexter chief counterchanged, above in dexter base a sea lion
holding in its dexter paw a sword palewise of the second and
in sinister chief a Korean bell of the second garnished white.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate
battalions of the California Army National Guard: From a wreath
Argent and Azure, the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant
on a grassy field all proper.
Motto: SIEMPER ADELANTE (Always Forward).
Symbolism:
Shield: The service of the former organization,
the 223d Armored Infantry Battalion, is indicated by the colors
blue and white which represents Infantry. The fleur-de-lis, taken
from the canton of the 185th Infantry Regiment, alludes to the
descent of the 223d Armored Infantry Battalion from the 2d Battalion
of that organization and also symbolizes the battalion’s
World War I service. The sea lion represents service in the Philippines
during World War II. The bell, for which Korea is noted, is for
service in that country during that conflict.
Crest: The crest is that of the California
Army National Guard.
Background: The coat of arms was originally
authorized for the 223d Armored Infantry Battalion on 13 Jun
1956. It was rescinded on 5 Jul 1961. On 29 Oct 1997 the blazon
and symbolism was revised and authorized for the 223d Regiment
223rd Infantry
Regiment
Unauthorized
Distictive Unit Insignia
When the regiment was
formed from the 2nd Battalion of the 185th Infantry Regiment,
it designed the insignia above. It is not known if this was approved
by the Army, but it was widely worn by the regiment until it
was broken up to form Armored Infantry Battalions. Blue is the
color of infantry. The crown represents Pasadena, the "Crown
City". The numeral 7 represents the 7th California Infantry,
indicating decent from that regiment. The twelve point star repesents
the 40th Infantry Division. The setting sun is taken from the
crest of the California Army National Guard and represents California.
Tabs
for the regiment's Tank Company, Medical Company and Heavy Mortars.
(Images courtesy of David Kaufman)
