California
State Military Department
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalion of the California Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all Proper.
Motto: KEYSTONE OF COMMAND
Symbolism: The lion in base is adapted from the arms of Normandy Province in France where elements of the Battalion served in the first of five campaigns from Normandy to Central Europe during World War II. The award of the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation to elements of the Battalion is suggested by the scarlet triangular area with the stars denoting three World War II campaigns in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and the lower star barbed to indicate participation in an assault landing on Luzon. Korean service and three awards of the Korean Presidential Unit Citation are symbolized by the taeguk and three flashes; the flashed further symbolize the Signal function of the Battalion and orange is one of the colors used for Signal units.
Background: The coat of arms was approved on 17 October 1975.
